Q.1 Which of the following best defines personality development?
The physical growth of an individual
The consistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors over time
The improvement of social status
The academic growth of a person
Explanation - Personality development refers to the growth and enhancement of the organized pattern of behaviors and attitudes that makes a person distinctive.
Correct answer is: The consistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors over time
Q.2 Who proposed the theory of psychosocial development that impacts personality?
Sigmund Freud
Carl Jung
Erik Erikson
Abraham Maslow
Explanation - Erik Erikson suggested eight stages of psychosocial development that influence personality throughout life.
Correct answer is: Erik Erikson
Q.3 According to Freud, which component of personality seeks pleasure and avoids pain?
Id
Ego
Superego
Conscious
Explanation - Freud described the Id as the instinctual part of the mind that operates on the pleasure principle.
Correct answer is: Id
Q.4 Which of the following is considered a personality trait in the 'Big Five' model?
Motivation
Intelligence
Openness
Memory
Explanation - Openness is one of the Big Five personality traits, alongside conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Correct answer is: Openness
Q.5 Which psychologist is associated with the concept of 'self-actualization'?
Carl Rogers
Abraham Maslow
Erik Erikson
B.F. Skinner
Explanation - Maslow placed self-actualization at the top of his hierarchy of needs, relating to reaching one's full potential.
Correct answer is: Abraham Maslow
Q.6 What does 'extroversion' in personality refer to?
Being shy and reserved
Seeking social interaction and stimulation
Having strong memory skills
Avoiding communication
Explanation - Extroversion is characterized by sociability, talkativeness, and a high level of emotional expressiveness.
Correct answer is: Seeking social interaction and stimulation
Q.7 Which of the following best describes 'conscientiousness' as a personality trait?
Carefree and spontaneous
Organized and responsible
Outgoing and energetic
Calm and relaxed
Explanation - Conscientiousness reflects self-discipline, carefulness, and a desire to achieve goals.
Correct answer is: Organized and responsible
Q.8 At which stage of Erikson’s theory does identity vs. role confusion occur?
Childhood
Adolescence
Adulthood
Infancy
Explanation - Erikson stated that during adolescence, individuals struggle with developing a clear sense of identity.
Correct answer is: Adolescence
Q.9 Which part of Freud's personality structure balances the demands of the Id and Superego?
Ego
Conscious
Unconscious
Preconscious
Explanation - The Ego mediates between the Id’s desires and the Superego’s moral constraints using the reality principle.
Correct answer is: Ego
Q.10 Personality is considered to be influenced by both:
Genetics and environment
Wealth and education
Physical strength and health
Luck and chance
Explanation - Personality develops from a combination of genetic factors and environmental influences such as culture and upbringing.
Correct answer is: Genetics and environment
Q.11 Which personality theory emphasizes observable behavior and conditioning?
Psychoanalytic theory
Behaviorist theory
Humanistic theory
Trait theory
Explanation - Behaviorist theorists like Skinner and Watson focused on learning and conditioning in shaping personality.
Correct answer is: Behaviorist theory
Q.12 What does 'agreeableness' in the Big Five model represent?
Assertiveness and dominance
Trust and kindness
Emotional instability
Creativity and imagination
Explanation - Agreeableness reflects attributes like trust, altruism, kindness, and cooperation.
Correct answer is: Trust and kindness
Q.13 Carl Rogers emphasized which concept as central to personality development?
Dream analysis
Unconscious conflict
Self-concept
Defense mechanisms
Explanation - Rogers highlighted self-concept—the perception of oneself—as crucial in humanistic psychology.
Correct answer is: Self-concept
Q.14 Which term refers to the innate potential each individual has for growth?
Self-efficacy
Self-actualization
Self-esteem
Self-control
Explanation - Self-actualization is the process of realizing and fulfilling one’s potential and capabilities.
Correct answer is: Self-actualization
Q.15 What is the focus of trait theories of personality?
Unconscious processes
Observable behaviors
Stable characteristics
Social learning
Explanation - Trait theories examine consistent characteristics that form the basis of personality.
Correct answer is: Stable characteristics
Q.16 In Freud’s psychosexual stages, which stage is associated with toilet training?
Oral
Anal
Phallic
Latency
Explanation - The anal stage (ages 1–3) focuses on control and elimination, often linked to toilet training.
Correct answer is: Anal
Q.17 What is a defense mechanism in psychology?
A way to build personality
A tool to enhance memory
An unconscious strategy to reduce anxiety
A conscious plan to solve problems
Explanation - Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies used to cope with anxiety and internal conflict.
Correct answer is: An unconscious strategy to reduce anxiety
Q.18 Which Big Five trait is most associated with experiencing negative emotions?
Openness
Agreeableness
Neuroticism
Conscientiousness
Explanation - Neuroticism involves tendencies toward anxiety, depression, and emotional instability.
Correct answer is: Neuroticism
Q.19 Which psychologist used factor analysis to identify 16 personality traits?
Raymond Cattell
Carl Jung
Sigmund Freud
Erik Erikson
Explanation - Cattell applied factor analysis to develop his 16 Personality Factor (16PF) model.
Correct answer is: Raymond Cattell
Q.20 Which concept in Bandura’s theory refers to belief in one’s ability to succeed?
Self-esteem
Self-actualization
Self-concept
Self-efficacy
Explanation - Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to perform tasks and achieve goals.
Correct answer is: Self-efficacy
Q.21 Which of the following is a projective personality test?
MMPI
16PF
Rorschach Inkblot Test
NEO-PI-R
Explanation - The Rorschach test uses ambiguous inkblots to uncover unconscious aspects of personality.
Correct answer is: Rorschach Inkblot Test
Q.22 What is the main idea of humanistic theories of personality?
People are controlled by instincts
Behavior is shaped by conditioning
Humans strive for growth and fulfillment
Personality is fixed by genetics
Explanation - Humanistic theories, like those of Maslow and Rogers, emphasize personal growth and self-actualization.
Correct answer is: Humans strive for growth and fulfillment
Q.23 The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on the theories of:
Carl Rogers
Carl Jung
Abraham Maslow
Erik Erikson
Explanation - The MBTI builds on Jung’s theory of psychological types, categorizing people by preferences in perception and judgment.
Correct answer is: Carl Jung
Q.24 Which stage of Freud’s psychosexual theory involves developing attraction to the opposite-sex parent?
Oral
Anal
Phallic
Latency
Explanation - The phallic stage (ages 3–6) involves the Oedipus/Electra complex and attraction to the opposite-sex parent.
Correct answer is: Phallic
Q.25 Which theory suggests personality is shaped through observing and imitating others?
Psychoanalytic theory
Social learning theory
Trait theory
Biological theory
Explanation - Bandura’s social learning theory emphasizes modeling and observational learning in personality development.
Correct answer is: Social learning theory