Q.1 Which of the following best describes trait theory in personality psychology?
Personality is determined solely by unconscious desires
Personality consists of stable and enduring characteristics
Personality is shaped entirely by social influences
Personality is unpredictable and random
Explanation - Trait theory emphasizes that personality is made up of consistent traits that influence behavior across situations.
Correct answer is: Personality consists of stable and enduring characteristics
Q.2 Who is considered the father of the trait theory of personality?
Sigmund Freud
Gordon Allport
Carl Jung
B.F. Skinner
Explanation - Gordon Allport was one of the first psychologists to systematically study and classify traits.
Correct answer is: Gordon Allport
Q.3 Allport classified traits into three types. Which of the following is NOT one of them?
Cardinal traits
Central traits
Secondary traits
Peripheral traits
Explanation - Allport identified cardinal, central, and secondary traits, but 'peripheral traits' is not a recognized category.
Correct answer is: Peripheral traits
Q.4 Which trait theory uses factor analysis to identify key dimensions of personality?
Allport's trait theory
Cattell's 16 Personality Factor model
Freud's psychodynamic theory
Bandura's social learning theory
Explanation - Raymond Cattell used factor analysis to reduce a large number of traits into 16 primary factors.
Correct answer is: Cattell's 16 Personality Factor model
Q.5 Which of the following is an example of a cardinal trait according to Allport?
Kindness
Ambition
Greed
Honesty
Explanation - A cardinal trait dominates a person's entire behavior, such as ambition defining most of what they do.
Correct answer is: Ambition
Q.6 What is the main difference between central and secondary traits?
Central traits are less consistent than secondary traits
Secondary traits are more influential than central traits
Central traits are major characteristics, secondary traits are more situational
Central traits apply only to childhood
Explanation - Central traits are core to personality, while secondary traits appear only in specific situations.
Correct answer is: Central traits are major characteristics, secondary traits are more situational
Q.7 Which of the following psychologists is associated with the Big Five personality traits?
Raymond Cattell
Gordon Allport
Costa and McCrae
Erik Erikson
Explanation - Costa and McCrae developed the Five-Factor Model, also known as the Big Five personality traits.
Correct answer is: Costa and McCrae
Q.8 Which of the following is NOT one of the Big Five personality traits?
Extraversion
Neuroticism
Optimism
Agreeableness
Explanation - The Big Five traits are Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. Optimism is not included.
Correct answer is: Optimism
Q.9 Cattell proposed two types of traits: surface traits and ________.
Central traits
Source traits
Secondary traits
Cardinal traits
Explanation - Source traits are the underlying basic traits that determine surface traits, according to Cattell.
Correct answer is: Source traits
Q.10 Which method did Cattell use to identify source traits?
Case studies
Factor analysis
Projective tests
Dream interpretation
Explanation - Cattell employed statistical factor analysis to identify patterns among traits, leading to his 16 source traits.
Correct answer is: Factor analysis
Q.11 Traits are generally considered to be:
Temporary states
Permanent dispositions
Random behaviors
Unconscious impulses
Explanation - Trait theorists view traits as stable, enduring characteristics that influence behavior consistently.
Correct answer is: Permanent dispositions
Q.12 Which of the following statements is true about Allport's secondary traits?
They dominate an individual’s personality
They appear only in certain situations
They are the same as cardinal traits
They are observable only in childhood
Explanation - Secondary traits are more specific and situational, unlike central or cardinal traits which are more dominant.
Correct answer is: They appear only in certain situations
Q.13 The Big Five model is also known as:
Eysenck’s model
Five-Factor Model
16 Personality Factor Model
Psychodynamic model
Explanation - The Big Five personality traits are often referred to as the Five-Factor Model (FFM).
Correct answer is: Five-Factor Model
Q.14 Which of the following pairs is part of Eysenck's three-factor model?
Neuroticism and Extraversion
Openness and Conscientiousness
Optimism and Pessimism
Cardinal and Central traits
Explanation - Eysenck proposed three dimensions: Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Psychoticism.
Correct answer is: Neuroticism and Extraversion
Q.15 Allport emphasized the uniqueness of each individual. This approach is called:
Nomothetic
Idiographic
Psychoanalytic
Behaviorist
Explanation - Allport preferred the idiographic approach, focusing on the unique traits of an individual rather than general laws.
Correct answer is: Idiographic
Q.16 Surface traits can be described as:
Easily observed traits
Underlying causes of behavior
Traits that dominate personality
Traits observable only in dreams
Explanation - Surface traits are traits that can be seen in overt behavior, while source traits are underlying causes.
Correct answer is: Easily observed traits
Q.17 Which personality theory is criticized for lacking explanation of trait development?
Trait theory
Behaviorism
Humanistic theory
Psychodynamic theory
Explanation - Trait theory describes and categorizes traits but does not fully explain how traits develop over time.
Correct answer is: Trait theory
Q.18 According to Allport, cardinal traits:
Are common to all humans
Strongly influence nearly all aspects of life
Occur only in childhood
Are always positive
Explanation - Cardinal traits dominate a person’s behavior and shape their overall life approach.
Correct answer is: Strongly influence nearly all aspects of life
Q.19 Which trait theory emphasizes statistical analysis to group traits?
Allport's theory
Cattell's factor analysis approach
Jung's archetypes
Freud's structural model
Explanation - Cattell used factor analysis to identify patterns among traits, leading to his 16 personality factors.
Correct answer is: Cattell's factor analysis approach
Q.20 Which approach focuses on general laws about personality across individuals?
Idiographic
Nomothetic
Trait-specific
Psychodynamic
Explanation - The nomothetic approach seeks general traits and laws applicable across people, unlike the idiographic approach.
Correct answer is: Nomothetic
Q.21 Which of the following is a criticism of trait theories?
They cannot predict behavior consistently
They focus too much on unconscious desires
They ignore the biological basis of traits
They overemphasize environmental learning
Explanation - While traits describe tendencies, they may not always predict behavior in every specific situation.
Correct answer is: They cannot predict behavior consistently
Q.22 Cattell's 16 Personality Factor model is primarily based on which method?
Clinical observation
Factor analysis
Dream interpretation
Behavioral experiments
Explanation - Cattell applied factor analysis to identify 16 source traits underlying personality.
Correct answer is: Factor analysis
Q.23 Extraversion in the Big Five traits refers to:
Emotional instability
Sociability and assertiveness
Attention to detail
Openness to new experiences
Explanation - Extraversion describes individuals who are outgoing, sociable, and assertive.
Correct answer is: Sociability and assertiveness
Q.24 Neuroticism in trait theory is associated with:
High energy
Emotional instability and anxiety
Creativity and imagination
Cooperation and trust
Explanation - Neuroticism measures the tendency toward negative emotions, stress, and mood fluctuations.
Correct answer is: Emotional instability and anxiety