Test Bank For Themes in Chinese
Psychology(Second Edition) by Catherine
Tien-Lun Sun
,Chapter 1: Confucianism and Chinese Psychology
Chapter 2: Taoism and Chinese Psychology
Chapter 3: Buddhism and Chinese Psychology
Chapter 4: The Social Psychological Characteristics of Chinese Society
Chapter 5: Filial Piety: Social and Psychological Implications
Chapter 6: Yuan and its Psychological Implications for Relationship
Management
Chapter 7: Face Management and Patterns of Communication
Chapter 8: Female Gender Roles and Gender Egalitarianism in China
Chapter 9: Chinese Emotions
Chapter 10: Psychopathology and Psychological Wellness in China
Chapter 11: Chinese Values, Beliefs, and Causal Attribution as depicted in
Classical Chinese Fiction
,Chapter 1: Confucianism and Chinese Psychology
1. A 45-year-old manager in a Singaporean firm consistently prioritizes the needs of
his subordinates and focuses on maintaining a harmonious office environment. He
believes that by showing empathy and care, his team will naturally become more
productive. This management style most closely embodies which core Confucian
virtue?
A. Li (Propriety)
B. Yi (Righteousness)
C. Ren (Benevolence)
D. Xiao (Filial Piety)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ren (Benevolence) is considered the greatest of all virtues in Confucianism and
is defined as the heart and core of loving others. It is characterized by a compassionate
and empathic attitude intended to bring out the best in others, which aligns with this
manager's focus on empathy and care.
2. A Chinese scholar during the Song Dynasty describes a process of "investigating
things" (ge wu) to purify original human nature from the interference of instinctual
biological drives. This Neo-Confucian psychological process is most analogous to
which modern clinical concept?
A. External locus of control
B. Increasing self-awareness
C. Behavioral activation
D. Cognitive dissonance reduction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In Neo-Confucianism, ge wu (the investigation of things) is described as an
action taken to purify human nature. The text explicitly likens this process to making the
unconscious conscious and increasing self-awareness to make moral and ethical choices.
3. In traditional Chinese social dynamics, an individual is often introduced by their
relationship to others (e.g., "the son of X" or "the spouse of Y") rather than by
personal traits. This practice reflects which psychological model of the self?
A. The Ptolemian view of personality
, B. The Person-in-Relations model
C. The Independent Construal of Self
D. The Internal Locus of Control model
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Person-in-Relations model suggests that the Chinese self is a relational self
that cannot be understood without reference to interpersonal relations. In this model, an
individual’s identity is defined primarily by their network of relationships rather than
personal attributes.
4. According to Confucian principles, a society ruled by men who have internalized
ethical values is superior to one ruled by strict laws and punishments. This
preference for proactive moral education over reactive legal sanction is rooted in
the belief that people will refrain from misbehavior due to:
A. Fear of physical punishment
B. Rational self-interest
C. Internalized shame and loss of face
D. Hope for divine reward
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Confucius argued that under rule by law, people behave out of fear. However,
when taught Li (propriety), they internalize proper behavior and refrain from misbehaving
due to a sense of shame and the fear of losing face.
5. A psychologist studying child-rearing in a traditional Confucian family observes
that the parents emphasize strict discipline, impulse control, and the fulfillment of
role obligations over the child's self-expression. This pattern is a hallmark of:
A. Authoritative parenting
B. Authoritarian moralism
C. Permissive nurturance
D. Cognitive complexity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Authoritarian moralism is a product of Confucian influence where parents and
teachers are viewed as absolute authorities. It focuses on impulse control and developing
Psychology(Second Edition) by Catherine
Tien-Lun Sun
,Chapter 1: Confucianism and Chinese Psychology
Chapter 2: Taoism and Chinese Psychology
Chapter 3: Buddhism and Chinese Psychology
Chapter 4: The Social Psychological Characteristics of Chinese Society
Chapter 5: Filial Piety: Social and Psychological Implications
Chapter 6: Yuan and its Psychological Implications for Relationship
Management
Chapter 7: Face Management and Patterns of Communication
Chapter 8: Female Gender Roles and Gender Egalitarianism in China
Chapter 9: Chinese Emotions
Chapter 10: Psychopathology and Psychological Wellness in China
Chapter 11: Chinese Values, Beliefs, and Causal Attribution as depicted in
Classical Chinese Fiction
,Chapter 1: Confucianism and Chinese Psychology
1. A 45-year-old manager in a Singaporean firm consistently prioritizes the needs of
his subordinates and focuses on maintaining a harmonious office environment. He
believes that by showing empathy and care, his team will naturally become more
productive. This management style most closely embodies which core Confucian
virtue?
A. Li (Propriety)
B. Yi (Righteousness)
C. Ren (Benevolence)
D. Xiao (Filial Piety)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ren (Benevolence) is considered the greatest of all virtues in Confucianism and
is defined as the heart and core of loving others. It is characterized by a compassionate
and empathic attitude intended to bring out the best in others, which aligns with this
manager's focus on empathy and care.
2. A Chinese scholar during the Song Dynasty describes a process of "investigating
things" (ge wu) to purify original human nature from the interference of instinctual
biological drives. This Neo-Confucian psychological process is most analogous to
which modern clinical concept?
A. External locus of control
B. Increasing self-awareness
C. Behavioral activation
D. Cognitive dissonance reduction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In Neo-Confucianism, ge wu (the investigation of things) is described as an
action taken to purify human nature. The text explicitly likens this process to making the
unconscious conscious and increasing self-awareness to make moral and ethical choices.
3. In traditional Chinese social dynamics, an individual is often introduced by their
relationship to others (e.g., "the son of X" or "the spouse of Y") rather than by
personal traits. This practice reflects which psychological model of the self?
A. The Ptolemian view of personality
, B. The Person-in-Relations model
C. The Independent Construal of Self
D. The Internal Locus of Control model
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Person-in-Relations model suggests that the Chinese self is a relational self
that cannot be understood without reference to interpersonal relations. In this model, an
individual’s identity is defined primarily by their network of relationships rather than
personal attributes.
4. According to Confucian principles, a society ruled by men who have internalized
ethical values is superior to one ruled by strict laws and punishments. This
preference for proactive moral education over reactive legal sanction is rooted in
the belief that people will refrain from misbehavior due to:
A. Fear of physical punishment
B. Rational self-interest
C. Internalized shame and loss of face
D. Hope for divine reward
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Confucius argued that under rule by law, people behave out of fear. However,
when taught Li (propriety), they internalize proper behavior and refrain from misbehaving
due to a sense of shame and the fear of losing face.
5. A psychologist studying child-rearing in a traditional Confucian family observes
that the parents emphasize strict discipline, impulse control, and the fulfillment of
role obligations over the child's self-expression. This pattern is a hallmark of:
A. Authoritative parenting
B. Authoritarian moralism
C. Permissive nurturance
D. Cognitive complexity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Authoritarian moralism is a product of Confucian influence where parents and
teachers are viewed as absolute authorities. It focuses on impulse control and developing
