D564 Exam 3 Actual Exam Style V2 | WGU
D564 Theories of Personality | Western
Governors University
1. Raymond Cattell categorized traits that are visible to others and may be clusters of
behavior as:
A. Source traits
B. Surface traits
C. Common traits
D. Dynamic traits
Answer: B
Rationale: Surface traits are clusters of overt behavior responses that appear to go
together. They are observable but do not always have a single underlying cause. Cattell
believed that while surface traits are apparent, they are less stable than the deeper source
traits identified through factor analysis.
2. According to Hans Eysenck, the biological basis for extraversion is related to the activity of
the:
A. Ascending reticular activating system (ARAS)
B. Autonomic nervous system
C. Limbic system
,D. Endocrine system
Answer: A
Rationale: Eysenck proposed that extraverts have a lower base level of cortical arousal
within the ARAS. Because of this lower arousal, they seek out external stimulation to reach
an optimal level of functioning. Conversely, introverts have higher natural arousal and
avoid excessive stimulation to prevent becoming overwhelmed.
3. Which type of data in Cattell’s theory involves observations of behavior in real-life settings,
such as school records or employer ratings?
A. L-data
B. T-data
C. Q-data
D. S-data
Answer: A
Rationale: L-data stands for Life Record data and refers to objective information gathered
from a person’s life history or observations by others. This contrasts with Q-data, which
comes from self-report questionnaires, and T-data, which comes from objective testing in
controlled environments. Cattell emphasized using all three data types to triangulate a
person’s personality structure.
, 4. A researcher is interested in the degree to which a test consistently measures what it is
supposed to measure over time. This refers to:
A. Construct validity
B. Content validity
C. Predictive validity
D. Test-retest reliability
Answer: D
Rationale: Test-retest reliability evaluates the stability of a measurement tool across
different administrations. If a personality trait is stable, a reliable test should yield similar
scores when the same person takes it twice. High reliability is a prerequisite for validity but
does not guarantee that the test measures the intended construct.
5. In the context of behavioral genetics, if monozygotic (MZ) twins show a higher correlation
for a trait than dizygotic (DZ) twins, it suggests:
A. The trait is entirely determined by the environment
B. The shared environment is the primary factor
C. The trait has a significant genetic component
D. No conclusions can be drawn about heredity
Answer: C
D564 Theories of Personality | Western
Governors University
1. Raymond Cattell categorized traits that are visible to others and may be clusters of
behavior as:
A. Source traits
B. Surface traits
C. Common traits
D. Dynamic traits
Answer: B
Rationale: Surface traits are clusters of overt behavior responses that appear to go
together. They are observable but do not always have a single underlying cause. Cattell
believed that while surface traits are apparent, they are less stable than the deeper source
traits identified through factor analysis.
2. According to Hans Eysenck, the biological basis for extraversion is related to the activity of
the:
A. Ascending reticular activating system (ARAS)
B. Autonomic nervous system
C. Limbic system
,D. Endocrine system
Answer: A
Rationale: Eysenck proposed that extraverts have a lower base level of cortical arousal
within the ARAS. Because of this lower arousal, they seek out external stimulation to reach
an optimal level of functioning. Conversely, introverts have higher natural arousal and
avoid excessive stimulation to prevent becoming overwhelmed.
3. Which type of data in Cattell’s theory involves observations of behavior in real-life settings,
such as school records or employer ratings?
A. L-data
B. T-data
C. Q-data
D. S-data
Answer: A
Rationale: L-data stands for Life Record data and refers to objective information gathered
from a person’s life history or observations by others. This contrasts with Q-data, which
comes from self-report questionnaires, and T-data, which comes from objective testing in
controlled environments. Cattell emphasized using all three data types to triangulate a
person’s personality structure.
, 4. A researcher is interested in the degree to which a test consistently measures what it is
supposed to measure over time. This refers to:
A. Construct validity
B. Content validity
C. Predictive validity
D. Test-retest reliability
Answer: D
Rationale: Test-retest reliability evaluates the stability of a measurement tool across
different administrations. If a personality trait is stable, a reliable test should yield similar
scores when the same person takes it twice. High reliability is a prerequisite for validity but
does not guarantee that the test measures the intended construct.
5. In the context of behavioral genetics, if monozygotic (MZ) twins show a higher correlation
for a trait than dizygotic (DZ) twins, it suggests:
A. The trait is entirely determined by the environment
B. The shared environment is the primary factor
C. The trait has a significant genetic component
D. No conclusions can be drawn about heredity
Answer: C
