PPE 3003 UNIT 1 TEST STUDY GUIDE || WITH 100%
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS.
Ch. 1
Define personality correct answers The set of psychological traits and mechanisms within the
individual that are organized and relatively enduring and that influence his or her interactions
with, and adaptations to the environment.
elements of personality definition correct answers "Set of psychological traits" -> the WHAT of
personality.
Characteristics that describe ways people are different from each other.
... "and mechanisms"--> the HOW of personality
inputs, decision rules, outputs.
... "Within the individual" (carry with you)
. ... "Organized and relatively enduring"... (Organize & linked in a coherent fashion), (enduring-
consistent over time and across situations)
..."Influence interactions with and adaptation to"... (Affect our lives, serve a purpose)
... "The environment" (physical, social, "in your own head" environment)
the WHAT, characteristics, average tendencies
What are three reasons personality traits are useful? correct answers average tendencies allow
you to describe, explain, predict behavior
What is the difference between personality traits and mechanisms? correct answers Traits: the
WHAT; characteristics that describe ways people are different from each other.
Mechanisms: the how of personality; the process of personality.
ex. Optimism is a trait, and the mechanism would tell you how this actually works
3 ingredients in a mechanism: inputs, decision rules, outputs
What are the three components of personality mechanisms? Be able to recognize examples.
correct answers 1) Inputs (or Attention): sensitivity to certain types of info in the environment.
, ex: choosing to pay attention to the good thing, not the bad thing (if optimistic)
2) Decision rules (or Available Options): make someone more likely to think about specific
options
ex: if someone is shy & needs to make an announcement, standing up in class is probably not an
option for them; may consider approaching the teacher about the question instead.
3) Outputs (or Actual Behavior): action
ex: someone who is outgoing sees a stranger and decides to go talk to them; talking to them
would be the output.
At what levels do personality psychologists analyze similarities and differences? Be able to
define each level and provide examples. correct answers a. Human Nature- How we are like all
others of our species; Personality features shared by everyone
ex: language skills across cultures; Psychological need to be accepted, happy, etc.
b. Individual Differences- How people are "like some others" in their group
ex: extraverts, sensation seekers
Group Differences: one group is different from other groups
Ex: Culture, gender, race, age, political orientation.
c. Individual Uniqueness- How we are not like others- Everyone has unique qualities not shared
by any other person.
ii. Case Study Research*: Neil does an in depth analysis on how Steve Jobs became so
successful with Apple.
What are the six domains of knowledge about personality? What sort of topics applies to each
domain? correct answers a. Dispositional- ways people differ (traits)
b. Biological- genetics, physiology, evolution
c. Intrapsychic- mental mechanisms (unconscious)
d. Cognitive/experiential- cognitions and subjective experiences (conscious, self & self concept).
e. Social/cultural- social and cultural context
f. Adjustment- meeting challenges in life
How is the field of personality psychology different from other fields? correct answers From the
book:
a. Different from Developmental Psychology;
i. How people change over time vs. in what ways they stay the same.
b. Different from Clinical Psychology
Study of "normal" functioning vs. study of disorders
c. Different from Social Psychology
i. Focus on the situation vs. the person
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS.
Ch. 1
Define personality correct answers The set of psychological traits and mechanisms within the
individual that are organized and relatively enduring and that influence his or her interactions
with, and adaptations to the environment.
elements of personality definition correct answers "Set of psychological traits" -> the WHAT of
personality.
Characteristics that describe ways people are different from each other.
... "and mechanisms"--> the HOW of personality
inputs, decision rules, outputs.
... "Within the individual" (carry with you)
. ... "Organized and relatively enduring"... (Organize & linked in a coherent fashion), (enduring-
consistent over time and across situations)
..."Influence interactions with and adaptation to"... (Affect our lives, serve a purpose)
... "The environment" (physical, social, "in your own head" environment)
the WHAT, characteristics, average tendencies
What are three reasons personality traits are useful? correct answers average tendencies allow
you to describe, explain, predict behavior
What is the difference between personality traits and mechanisms? correct answers Traits: the
WHAT; characteristics that describe ways people are different from each other.
Mechanisms: the how of personality; the process of personality.
ex. Optimism is a trait, and the mechanism would tell you how this actually works
3 ingredients in a mechanism: inputs, decision rules, outputs
What are the three components of personality mechanisms? Be able to recognize examples.
correct answers 1) Inputs (or Attention): sensitivity to certain types of info in the environment.
, ex: choosing to pay attention to the good thing, not the bad thing (if optimistic)
2) Decision rules (or Available Options): make someone more likely to think about specific
options
ex: if someone is shy & needs to make an announcement, standing up in class is probably not an
option for them; may consider approaching the teacher about the question instead.
3) Outputs (or Actual Behavior): action
ex: someone who is outgoing sees a stranger and decides to go talk to them; talking to them
would be the output.
At what levels do personality psychologists analyze similarities and differences? Be able to
define each level and provide examples. correct answers a. Human Nature- How we are like all
others of our species; Personality features shared by everyone
ex: language skills across cultures; Psychological need to be accepted, happy, etc.
b. Individual Differences- How people are "like some others" in their group
ex: extraverts, sensation seekers
Group Differences: one group is different from other groups
Ex: Culture, gender, race, age, political orientation.
c. Individual Uniqueness- How we are not like others- Everyone has unique qualities not shared
by any other person.
ii. Case Study Research*: Neil does an in depth analysis on how Steve Jobs became so
successful with Apple.
What are the six domains of knowledge about personality? What sort of topics applies to each
domain? correct answers a. Dispositional- ways people differ (traits)
b. Biological- genetics, physiology, evolution
c. Intrapsychic- mental mechanisms (unconscious)
d. Cognitive/experiential- cognitions and subjective experiences (conscious, self & self concept).
e. Social/cultural- social and cultural context
f. Adjustment- meeting challenges in life
How is the field of personality psychology different from other fields? correct answers From the
book:
a. Different from Developmental Psychology;
i. How people change over time vs. in what ways they stay the same.
b. Different from Clinical Psychology
Study of "normal" functioning vs. study of disorders
c. Different from Social Psychology
i. Focus on the situation vs. the person
