,PSYC 341 Quiz 3 | Psychology of Personality
(2026) Q&A | Liberty University
1. John Bowlby's attachment theory was originally based on studies of which two
groups?
A) Infants and primates
B) Children and adults
C) Mothers and fathers
D) Teachers and students
Correct Answer: Infants and primates
Rationale: Bowlby's attachment theory emerged from his observations of infants and
his studies of primates, particularly the work of Harry Harlow. He concluded that
attachment is an innate biological system promoting proximity to a caregiver for
protection and survival. This cross-species evidence strengthened his argument that
attachment behaviors are evolutionarily adaptive.
2. Melanie Klein believed that during the female Oedipus complex, the girl:
A) Desires her mother and fears her father
B) Phantasizes that the father's penis feeds the mother with babies
C) Identifies exclusively with her father
D) Rejects both parents entirely
Correct Answer: Phantasizes that the father's penis feeds the mother with babies
,Rationale: Klein's view of the female Oedipus complex centered on the girl's
unconscious phantasies about the father's penis as a source of nourishment for the
mother. This perspective diverged from Freud's emphasis on penis envy, focusing
instead on the girl's early relationship with the mother and oral and anal roots of the
conflict.
3. According to John Bowlby, both humans and other primates experience separation
anxiety. The stage unique to humans is the _____ stage.
A) Protest
B) Despair
C) Detachment
D) Pre-attachment
Correct Answer: Detachment
Rationale: Bowlby identified three stages of separation anxiety: protest, despair, and
detachment. While protest and despair are observed in both humans and other
primates, detachment is unique to humans. In this final stage, the child appears to have
recovered but actually shows emotional withdrawal from the caregiver.
4. Melanie Klein agreed with Freud that people can be motivated by:
A) Sexual drives only
B) Aggressive drives only
C) Both sexual and aggressive drives
D) Social interest alone
, Correct Answer: Both sexual and aggressive drives
Rationale: Klein agreed with Freud that people are motivated by both sexual and
aggressive drives, but she placed greater emphasis on the aggressive drive, particularly
during the first few months of life. She believed that the death instinct and aggressive
impulses play a central role in early psychological development.
5. Mahler believed that children begin to develop feelings of personal identity during
which developmental stage?
A) Symbiosis
B) Differentiation
C) Separation-individuation
D) Object constancy
Correct Answer: Separation-individuation
Rationale: Margaret Mahler's theory of separation-individuation describes the process
by which children develop a sense of personal identity separate from their primary
caregiver. This process involves phases such as differentiation, practicing,
rapprochement, and object constancy, and is central to the development of the self.
6. Melanie Klein believed that the male Oedipus complex is resolved mostly when the
boy:
A) Renounces his mother
B) Establishes positive relationships toward both parents
(2026) Q&A | Liberty University
1. John Bowlby's attachment theory was originally based on studies of which two
groups?
A) Infants and primates
B) Children and adults
C) Mothers and fathers
D) Teachers and students
Correct Answer: Infants and primates
Rationale: Bowlby's attachment theory emerged from his observations of infants and
his studies of primates, particularly the work of Harry Harlow. He concluded that
attachment is an innate biological system promoting proximity to a caregiver for
protection and survival. This cross-species evidence strengthened his argument that
attachment behaviors are evolutionarily adaptive.
2. Melanie Klein believed that during the female Oedipus complex, the girl:
A) Desires her mother and fears her father
B) Phantasizes that the father's penis feeds the mother with babies
C) Identifies exclusively with her father
D) Rejects both parents entirely
Correct Answer: Phantasizes that the father's penis feeds the mother with babies
,Rationale: Klein's view of the female Oedipus complex centered on the girl's
unconscious phantasies about the father's penis as a source of nourishment for the
mother. This perspective diverged from Freud's emphasis on penis envy, focusing
instead on the girl's early relationship with the mother and oral and anal roots of the
conflict.
3. According to John Bowlby, both humans and other primates experience separation
anxiety. The stage unique to humans is the _____ stage.
A) Protest
B) Despair
C) Detachment
D) Pre-attachment
Correct Answer: Detachment
Rationale: Bowlby identified three stages of separation anxiety: protest, despair, and
detachment. While protest and despair are observed in both humans and other
primates, detachment is unique to humans. In this final stage, the child appears to have
recovered but actually shows emotional withdrawal from the caregiver.
4. Melanie Klein agreed with Freud that people can be motivated by:
A) Sexual drives only
B) Aggressive drives only
C) Both sexual and aggressive drives
D) Social interest alone
, Correct Answer: Both sexual and aggressive drives
Rationale: Klein agreed with Freud that people are motivated by both sexual and
aggressive drives, but she placed greater emphasis on the aggressive drive, particularly
during the first few months of life. She believed that the death instinct and aggressive
impulses play a central role in early psychological development.
5. Mahler believed that children begin to develop feelings of personal identity during
which developmental stage?
A) Symbiosis
B) Differentiation
C) Separation-individuation
D) Object constancy
Correct Answer: Separation-individuation
Rationale: Margaret Mahler's theory of separation-individuation describes the process
by which children develop a sense of personal identity separate from their primary
caregiver. This process involves phases such as differentiation, practicing,
rapprochement, and object constancy, and is central to the development of the self.
6. Melanie Klein believed that the male Oedipus complex is resolved mostly when the
boy:
A) Renounces his mother
B) Establishes positive relationships toward both parents
