PSYC-387 UNL EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
2026
Personality - Answers *consistent behavior patterns* and intrapersonal processes originating
within the individual
Goal of Personality Psychology - Answers explain the whole person in his/her daily environment
kinds of questions that personality psychology seeks to answer - Answers
How is the focus of personality psychology different than other fields? - Answers clinical psych:
both attempt to understand the whole person
-normal vs. extreme patterns of personality
emphasizes individual differences
-other areas treat all people as if they were the same
basic approaches to personality - Answers complements>competitors
not One Big Theory
-it's difficult to do everything well
Trait approach - Answers people lie on a continuum of personality characteristics
aggression: focuses on individual differences and the stability of aggressive behavior
-aggressive children are more likely to become aggressive adults
depression: focuses on identifying depression-prone individuals
-person's general emotional level at present can indicate that person's emotions in the future
Biological approach - Answers understand the mind in terms of the body
aggression: genetic predisposition towards aggression
-evolutionary theory
, depression: certain people inherit a genetic susceptibility to depression
-levels of neurotransmitters
Psychoanalytic approach - Answers primary concern is with the unconscious mind and internal
mental conflict
aggression: people possess an unconscious desire to self-destruct
-self-destructive impulses are expressed against others in the form of aggression
depression: is a result of holding unconscious feelings of anger and hostility
Phenomenological approach - Answers focus on *conscious* experience of the world and *free
will*
aggression: people are basically good, aggression arises when something interferes with basic
needs
depression: people frequently suffering from depression are those who have low
self-worth/self-esteem
Learning approach - Answers how behavior changes as a result of rewards, punishments, and
life experiences
aggression: learnt behavior, aggressive behavior that is rewarded will be repeated
depression: results from lack of positive reinforcers in a person's life
-depends on how people interpret their inability to control events
-certain individuals use a depressive filter to interpret and process information
S-Data (Self-Report Data) - Answers information provided by a person
-survey, interview
2026
Personality - Answers *consistent behavior patterns* and intrapersonal processes originating
within the individual
Goal of Personality Psychology - Answers explain the whole person in his/her daily environment
kinds of questions that personality psychology seeks to answer - Answers
How is the focus of personality psychology different than other fields? - Answers clinical psych:
both attempt to understand the whole person
-normal vs. extreme patterns of personality
emphasizes individual differences
-other areas treat all people as if they were the same
basic approaches to personality - Answers complements>competitors
not One Big Theory
-it's difficult to do everything well
Trait approach - Answers people lie on a continuum of personality characteristics
aggression: focuses on individual differences and the stability of aggressive behavior
-aggressive children are more likely to become aggressive adults
depression: focuses on identifying depression-prone individuals
-person's general emotional level at present can indicate that person's emotions in the future
Biological approach - Answers understand the mind in terms of the body
aggression: genetic predisposition towards aggression
-evolutionary theory
, depression: certain people inherit a genetic susceptibility to depression
-levels of neurotransmitters
Psychoanalytic approach - Answers primary concern is with the unconscious mind and internal
mental conflict
aggression: people possess an unconscious desire to self-destruct
-self-destructive impulses are expressed against others in the form of aggression
depression: is a result of holding unconscious feelings of anger and hostility
Phenomenological approach - Answers focus on *conscious* experience of the world and *free
will*
aggression: people are basically good, aggression arises when something interferes with basic
needs
depression: people frequently suffering from depression are those who have low
self-worth/self-esteem
Learning approach - Answers how behavior changes as a result of rewards, punishments, and
life experiences
aggression: learnt behavior, aggressive behavior that is rewarded will be repeated
depression: results from lack of positive reinforcers in a person's life
-depends on how people interpret their inability to control events
-certain individuals use a depressive filter to interpret and process information
S-Data (Self-Report Data) - Answers information provided by a person
-survey, interview
