Trait Theories: Master the Building Blocks of Personality

Question 1

Which characteristic is NOT associated with Cattell's 16PF personality test?

Accepted Answer

Identification of 17 source traits

Answer

Factor analytic approach

Answer

Self-report format

Answer

Emphasis on stability over change

Question 2

Which Big Five personality trait is related to assertiveness and dominance?

Accepted Answer

Extroversion

Answer

Agreeableness

Answer

Neuroticism

Answer

Conscientiousness

Question 3

According to Cattell's theory, which source trait is associated with perfectionism and rule-following?

Accepted Answer

Conscientiousness

Answer

Ego strength

Answer

Surgency

Answer

Adventurousness

Question 4

Which research method is most commonly used to develop personality tests?

Accepted Answer

Factor analysis

Answer

Case studies

Answer

Observational studies

Answer

Interviews

Question 5

According to the Big Five model, individuals high in neuroticism tend to be:

Accepted Answer

Prone to negative emotions and anxiety

Answer

Emotionally stable and calm

Answer

Outgoing and sociable

Answer

Organized and methodical

Question 6

Which assumption is fundamental to trait theories of personality?

Accepted Answer

Personality is relatively stable over time

Answer

Behavior is mainly driven by external factors

Answer

Individuals are fundamentally unpredictable

Answer

Personality is solely determined by genetic factors

Question 7

Which Cattell's source trait is associated with emotional expressiveness and impulsivity?

Accepted Answer

Surgency

Answer

Dominance

Answer

Harm avoidance

Answer

Ego strength

Question 8

How do trait theories contribute to the understanding of human behavior?

Accepted Answer

They offer a framework for classifying individual differences

Answer

They accurately predict specific behaviors in any situation

Answer

They provide comprehensive explanations for personality development

Answer

They offer direct guidance for therapeutic interventions

Question 9

Which of the following is a primary trait dimension included in Cattell's 16PF?

Accepted Answer

Extraversion

Answer

Empathy

Answer

Intelligence

Answer

Creativity

Question 10

According to the Big Five personality traits, individuals who score high in Openness to Experience tend to be:

Accepted Answer

Imaginative and intellectually curious

Answer

Emotional and sensitive

Answer

Reserved and cautious

Answer

Organized and practical

Question 11

Which of the following is a potential limitation of using trait theories of personality to understand behavior?

Accepted Answer

Traits may not fully account for situational influences on behavior

Answer

Traits are not stable over time

Answer

Trait theories do not consider cultural differences

Answer

Trait theories are too complex and difficult to understand

Question 12

Cattell's 16PF is an example of a(n):

Accepted Answer

Objective personality assessment tool

Answer

Behavioral personality assessment tool

Answer

Projective personality assessment tool

Answer

Situational personality assessment tool

Question 13

A key assumption of trait theories of personality is that:

Accepted Answer

Traits are relatively stable and consistent over time

Answer

Personality is entirely determined by genetics

Answer

Personality can be easily changed through therapy

Answer

Personality is shaped solely by environmental factors

Question 14

Individuals who score low in Agreeableness according to the Big Five personality traits tend to be:

Accepted Answer

Competitive and self-centered

Answer

Prone to anxiety and depression

Answer

Trusting and cooperative

Answer

Outgoing and sociable

Question 15

The NEO-PI-R personality assessment is based on:

Accepted Answer

The Big Five personality traits model

Answer

Eysenck's EPI model

Answer

Jung's MBTI model

Answer

Cattell's 16PF model

Question 16

Trait theories of personality have been used for various practical applications, including:

Accepted Answer

Predicting job performance

Answer

Improving romantic relationships

Answer

Diagnosing mental disorders

Answer

Changing personality traits through therapy

Question 17

Which of the following is a key characteristic of the Big Five personality trait 'Openness to Experience'?

Accepted Answer

Intellectual curiosity and a broad range of interests

Answer

Calm and emotionally stable

Answer

Orderly and organized

Answer

Outgoing and social

Question 18

In trait theory, which concept refers to the stability of personality traits over extended periods?

Accepted Answer

Trait consistency

Answer

Trait variability

Answer

Trait heritability

Answer

Trait plasticity

Question 19

Which of the following is a criticism of trait theories in personality psychology?

Accepted Answer

They may oversimplify the complexity of personality and underestimate situational influences

Answer

They are difficult and expensive to measure

Answer

They are not based on empirical research

Question 20

According to Eysenck's trait theory, which personality dimension is characterized by a tendency towards introversion, shyness, and emotional instability?

Accepted Answer

Neuroticism

Answer

Conscientiousness

Answer

Psychoticism

Answer

Extroversion

Question 21

Which of the following is a limitation of using trait theories for personality assessment?

Accepted Answer

Traits may not fully capture the complexity of individual behavior, especially in specific situations

Answer

Trait tests are unreliable and have low validity

Answer

Trait theories are outdated and no longer relevant

Question 22

In Cattell's 16PF personality model, which trait is associated with a tendency towards dominance, assertiveness, and a competitive spirit?

Accepted Answer

Dominance

Answer

Submissiveness

Answer

Introversion

Answer

Independence

Question 23

Which of the following factors has been shown to influence the development of personality traits?

Accepted Answer

Both genetics and environmental factors, including life experiences

Answer

Genetics only

Answer

Life experiences only

Question 24

According to the Big Five personality trait model, which trait is characterized by a high degree of organization, reliability, and self-discipline?

Accepted Answer

Conscientiousness

Answer

Agreeableness

Answer

Openness

Answer

Extroversion

Question 25

Which of the following is a potential application of trait theories in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Career counseling, helping individuals identify occupations that match their personality traits

Answer

Clinical psychology only

Answer

Research only

Answer

Educational settings only

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a personality trait identified by Cattell's 16PF inventory?

Accepted Answer

Empathy

Answer

Dominance

Answer

Abstractness

Answer

Warmth

Question 27

Which criticism is commonly leveled against trait theories of personality?

Accepted Answer

They simplify the complexity of personality.

Answer

They are not predictive of behavior.

Answer

They rely on subjective measures.

Answer

They are based on outdated research.

Question 28

According to Cattell's 16PF trait theory, which trait refers to an individual's level of sociability and comfort in social situations?

Accepted Answer

Extroversion

Answer

Agreeableness

Answer

Conscientiousness

Answer

Neuroticism

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Big Five personality traits?

Accepted Answer

They are universally applicable across all cultures.

Answer

They predict a range of life outcomes.

Answer

They remain relatively stable over time.

Answer

They are heritable to some extent.

Question 30

Which trait is characterized by being organized, responsible, and achievement-oriented?

Accepted Answer

Conscientiousness

Answer

Agreeableness

Answer

Extraversion

Answer

Neuroticism

Question 31

Trait theories generally assume that personality is:

Accepted Answer

Relatively stable and consistent over time.

Answer

Primarily shaped by environmental experiences.

Answer

Completely determined by genetics.

Answer

Constantly changing and highly unpredictable.

Question 32

Which of the following is an observable behavior that might indicate the trait of extraversion?

Accepted Answer

Enjoying social events.

Answer

Experiencing frequent mood swings.

Answer

Being highly organized and meticulous.

Answer

Appearing shy and reserved in social settings.

Question 33

According to trait theories, a limitation of personality tests is that they can be:

Accepted Answer

Biased or inaccurate.

Answer

Useless for making clinical diagnoses.

Answer

Too time-consuming to complete.

Answer

Too expensive to administer widely.

Question 34

Which of the following is a potential benefit of using trait theories in personality assessment?

Accepted Answer

They provide a standardized and objective measure of personality.

Answer

They can predict future behavior with perfect accuracy.

Answer

They are the only valid approach to personality assessment.

Question 35

Which quality characterizes the Big Five personality trait known as Agreeableness?

Accepted Answer

Friendliness and empathy

Answer

Outwardness and sociability

Answer

Emotional instability and anxiety

Answer

Organized and responsible behavior

Question 36

Within Cattell's 16PF personality model, which element represents the Freudian concept of the internalized moral compass?

Accepted Answer

Superego

Answer

Ego

Answer

Id

Answer

Archetype

Question 37

Identify a primary limitation of trait theories in explaining personality:

Accepted Answer

They overlook the influence of situational factors

Answer

They rely solely on self-reported data

Answer

They cannot accurately predict behavior

Answer

They are subjective and difficult to assess

Question 38

Who is credited with pioneering the development of trait theories in personality psychology?

Accepted Answer

Gordon Allport

Answer

Sigmund Freud

Answer

Carl Jung

Answer

Hans Eysenck

Question 39

Which among these represents a surface trait, according to trait theory?

Accepted Answer

Tendency to blush easily

Answer

Proneness to experience negative emotions

Answer

Compassion and empathy

Answer

Habit of being punctual

Question 40

Identify the Big Five personality trait that is characterized by high levels of emotional distress and vulnerability:

Accepted Answer

Neuroticism

Answer

Conscientiousness

Answer

Extraversion

Question 41

Which assumption is NOT fundamental to trait theories?

Accepted Answer

Personality is entirely determined by genetic factors

Answer

Traits can be reliably measured

Answer

Traits remain relatively stable throughout life

Answer

Traits exert an influence on behavior

Question 42

According to Cattell's 16PF, which factor specifically measures an individual's level of assertiveness and dominance?

Accepted Answer

E: Dominance

Answer

A: Warmth

Answer

M: Imaginativeness

Answer

Q+: Questioning

Question 43

In the Big Five personality model, which trait is characterized by high levels of self-discipline, organization, and achievement-orientation?

Accepted Answer

Conscientiousness

Answer

Neuroticism

Answer

Extraversion

Answer

Openness

Question 44

According to trait theories, which factor is considered the most influential in predicting an individual's long-term behavioral patterns?

Accepted Answer

Enduring personality traits

Answer

Situational factors

Answer

Cognitive processes

Answer

Emotional states

Question 45

One of the criticisms of trait theories is that:

Accepted Answer

They may oversimplify the complex and dynamic nature of personality.

Answer

They are solely based on self-report measures.

Answer

They cannot be applied in practical settings.

Question 46

Which method is commonly utilized to measure personality traits in a standardized manner?

Accepted Answer

Self-report questionnaires

Answer

Physiological measures

Answer

Projective tests

Answer

Behavioral observations

Question 47

In Cattell's 16PF model, which type of trait is considered fundamental and less likely to change over time?

Accepted Answer

Source trait

Answer

Cardinal trait

Answer

Second-order trait

Answer

Surface trait

Question 48

What is a key distinction between Cattell's 16PF and the Big Five personality model?

Accepted Answer

The number of core personality traits measured

Answer

The method of assessment

Answer

The theoretical basis

Answer

The stability of the traits over time

Question 49

Which research design is most suitable for investigating the stability of personality traits over time?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal study

Answer

Case study

Answer

Cross-sectional study

Answer

Meta-analysis

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT a factor in Cattell's 16PF personality model?

Accepted Answer

Emotional Stability

Answer

Dominance

Answer

Warmth

Answer

Rule-Consciousness

Question 51

A person with high 'Openness to Experience' on the Big Five model would exhibit:

Accepted Answer

Curiosity and imagination

Answer

Organization and discipline

Answer

Cooperation and trust

Answer

Outspokenness and assertiveness

Question 52

Which trait theory focuses on identifying a limited number of core personality dimensions?

Accepted Answer

The Big Five

Answer

Cattell's 16PF

Answer

Eysenck's PEN Model

Answer

Allport's Trait Theory

Question 53

A highly conscientious individual tends to:

Accepted Answer

Complete assignments promptly and meticulously

Answer

Seek out novel experiences and challenges

Answer

Become easily distracted and struggle with concentration

Answer

Display strong emotions and react intensely to stress

Question 54

The 16PF model, unlike the Big Five, is derived from:

Accepted Answer

Factor analysis of numerous personality terms

Answer

Self-reported questionnaires on specific traits

Answer

Observational studies of individuals' behavior

Question 55

A criticism of trait theories is:

Accepted Answer

They fail to account for situational influences

Answer

They focus too little on individual differences

Answer

They accurately capture the complexity of human personality

Answer

They have strong empirical support

Question 56

The Big Five personality model finds application in:

Accepted Answer

Understanding individual differences in job performance

Answer

Controlling people's actions

Answer

Predicting the future with precision

Question 57

A highly extroverted person is likely to be:

Accepted Answer

Sociable and outgoing

Answer

Self-reliant and independent

Answer

Introspective and quiet

Answer

Calm and emotionally stable

Question 58

The 16PF model has applications in:

Accepted Answer

Career counseling and employee selection

Answer

Controlling weather conditions

Answer

Predicting lottery outcomes

Answer

Diagnosing mental health conditions

Question 59

The relationship between trait theories and personality assessment is:

Accepted Answer

Trait theories inform the development and interpretation of personality assessments

Answer

Trait theories have no bearing on personality assessments

Answer

Personality assessments are the only way to identify individual traits