, Chapter 01
Introduction to Personality Theory
1. What is the relationship between theory and each of the following terms:
(a) philosophy, (b) speculation, (c) hypothesis, and (d) taxonomy?
Answer:
A. A theory is a set of related assumptions capable of generating hypotheses. As such, it is narrower than a philosophy and more general than a
hypothesis.
B. Philosophy deals with what should be, whereas theories are built on scientific evidence. Theory relates to a branch of philosophy called
epistemology, or the nature of knowledge, because theory is an essential tool of science, an important means of gaining knowledge.
C. Although theories are built partially on speculation, they do not stem from baseless speculation. Theorists combine scientifically derived data with
thoughtful speculation to construct theories that will lead to further scientific experimentation.
D. A useful theory is capable of generating multiple hypotheses, or educated guesses. Scientists can test hypotheses through scientific
experimentation, whereas theories are not directly testable.
E. Theories should include a careful taxonomy, or classification system. A taxonomy is merely part of a useful theory. Unlike a theory, a taxonomy is
not dynamic; that is, it is not capable of generating hypotheses.
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2. What is the relationship between theory and observation?
Answer:
Theories and observations have a mutual and dynamic interaction. A newly born theory is built on tentative observations. Scientists can test
hypotheses spawned by that theory, leading to new observations. As more observations become available, the theory can grow to include a greater
number of hypotheses, and, in turn, scientists can test these hypotheses and provide additional observations.
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3. List and briefly discuss six criteria for a useful theory.
Answer:
A. A useful theory should generate both descriptive research and hypothesis testing. A theory that fails to spark research falls into disuse and will be
discarded by scientists.
B. A theory must be open to falsifiability. It must suggest research that is capable of either supporting or refuting its major tenets. Theories that can
explain opposing data are not falsifiable.
C. Theories should organize observations. A theoretical framework allows scientists to make sense of their findings.
D. A theory should guide action. It provides people with a road map for making day-to-day decisions.
E. A useful theory is internally consistent. It has a set of operational definitions that are used consistently and does not offer opposing answers to the
same questions.
F. A theory should be as parsimonious as possible. Other things being equal, scientists prefer the simpler of two theories.
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4. The term “personality” comes from the Latin word “persona,” which means
A. that which one truly is.
B. the evil side of people.
C. a theatrical mask.
D. the soul.
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5. A set of related assumptions that allows scientists to use logical deductive reasoning to formulate testable hypotheses is
A. the definition of philosophy.
B. the definition of scientific theory.
C. the definition of taxonomy.
D. an armchair speculation.
6. Statements formed in an if-then framework are most likely
A. taxonomies.
B. philosophies.
C. theories.
D. definitions of personality.
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7. Which of the following statements highlights the role of theory within science?
A. Theories enable scientists to know how they should live their lives.
B. Theories are tools used by scientists to generate research and organize observations.
C. Theory building is the ultimate aim of science.
D. Theories play no role in scientific pursuits.
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8. Which of the following statements best characterizes the relationship between a theory and a hypothesis?
A. A theory is narrower than a hypothesis.
B. A theory is directly verifiable, a hypothesis is not.
C. A theory is logically deduced from a specific hypothesis.
D. A theory may generate one or more hypotheses.
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9. Which of the following terms is defined as an educated guess or prediction scientific enough for its validity to be tested through the use of the
scientific method?
A. a theory
B. a hypothesis
C. a philosophy
D. a taxonomy
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10. _____ focused on the importance of early childhood experience and on relationships with parents as guiding forces that shape personality
development.
A. Psychodynamic theories
B. Humanistic-existential theories
C. Dispositional theories
D. Biological-evolutionary theories
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11. Which of the following statements is true about psychodynamic theories?
A. They assume that negative experiences foster psychological growth and are part of the human condition.
B. They see the unconscious mind and motives as much more powerful than the conscious awareness.
C. They hold that the unique and long-term tendencies to behave in particular ways are the essence of human personality.
D. They emphasize that what people think, feel, and do is always an interaction between nature and nurture.
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12. Which of the following statements is true about humanistic-existential theories?
A. They hold that all behaviors are learned through association and its consequences, whether it is reinforced or punished.
B. They argue that the personality people have is shaped by how they think and perceive the world.
C. They assume primarily that people strive toward meaning, growth, well-being, happiness, and psychological health.
D. They suggest that there are five main trait dimensions in human personality that serve the function of making certain behaviors likely in some
people.
13. _____ assume that not only are people driven by a search for meaning, but also that negative experiences such as failure, awareness of death,
death of a loved one, and anxiety, are part of the human condition and can foster psychological growth.
A. Cognitive theorists
B. Psychodynamic theorists
C. Dispositional theorists
D. Existential theorists
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14. _____ argue that the unique and long-term tendencies to behave in particular ways are the essence of human personality.
A. Dispositional theorists
B. Psychodynamic theorists
C. Biological-evolutionary theorists
D. Learning-cognitive theorists
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15. Which of the following theories emphasizes that what people think, feel, and do is always an interaction between nature and nurture?
A. learning-cognitive theories
B. biological-evolutionary theories
C. dispositional theories
D. psychodynamic theories
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16. The _____ perspective argues that how one thinks about oneself and other people, as well as the assumptions one makes and the strategies one
uses for solving problems, are the keys to understanding differences between people.
A. dispositional
B. biological
C. cognitive
D. existential
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17. What is the relationship between a useful theory and research data?
A. They are mutually exclusive.
B. Several theories make up an observation.
C. Several observations make up a theory.
D. There is a mutual and dynamic interaction between them.
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18. A theory may be set aside when it
A. generates testable hypotheses.
B. explains a set of observations.
C. is proven by experimentation.
D. loses its usefulness.
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19. The personalities, cognitive processes, developmental histories, and social experiences of personality theorists help shape their theories. The
discipline that deals with these factors is called
A. personology.
B. psychology.
C. sociology.
D. the psychology of science.
E. psychobiology.
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