AP Psychology : Personality Changes and Growth

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Personality

What is the main difference between the learning style of a baby versus an adult? 

Possible Answers:

An adult learns everything effortlessly

A baby learns everything automatically

An adult takes much more information from new experience

A baby takes much more information from new experiences 

Correct answer:

A baby takes much more information from new experiences 

Explanation:

A baby is much more open to the world than an adult is. A baby new into the world is trying to learn as much as it can about its surroundings since it's vital information to its survival.

Example Question #72 : Personality

In what age group is one more likely to become more Agreeable (that is, more cooperative and compassionate)?

Possible Answers:

Early childhood

Around the early to late thirties

Infancy

Adolescence

Correct answer:

Around the early to late thirties

Explanation:

As a person starts accumulating more responsibilities to their families and workplaces, they tend to become more Agreeable--that is, less competitive, more cooperative, and more compassionate. These responsibilities generally start accruing most in people's early to late thirties as they move up in their career or establish a family. This can lead to less self-absorption and more absorption in their duties to other people. 

Example Question #73 : Personality

According to Gordon Allport, a "Cardinal Trait" is ____________.

Possible Answers:

a trait that is observable in most people

None of these

a dominant trait that plays a vital role in determining a personality

a trait exhibited only in certain situations

Correct answer:

a dominant trait that plays a vital role in determining a personality

Explanation:

Gordon Allport's trait theory outlines 3 types of traits: Cardinal Traits (dominant traits/ruling passions), Central Traits (characteristics found (at least somewhat) in most or all people), and Secondary Traits (traits exhibited only on certain occasions). While Allsport assigned differing levels of dominance to these traits, he believed a thorough examination of all kinds of traits was needed to accurately reflect a person's personality.

Example Question #74 : Personality

What are some of the qualities of those who have experienced post-traumatic growth? 

Possible Answers:

All of these 

Greater appreciation for life 

More intimate relationships 

Changed priorities 

Correct answer:

All of these 

Explanation:

According to the research done on post-traumatic growth, the most salient qualities of those who have undergone post-traumatic growth are an acknowledgement of new paths in life, a greater appreciation for life, a change in priorities, and more intimate relationships. 

Example Question #72 : Personality

What generally tends to happen to people's personalities as they get older?

Possible Answers:

Their negative traits increase and positive ones decrease

Their positive traits increase and negative ones decrease

None of these

Both their positive and negative traits increase

Correct answer:

Their positive traits increase and negative ones decrease

Explanation:

According to the "Maturity Principle", between the ages of 20-65 people's negative personality traits decrease and positive ones increase. Over time, people tend to develop more accountability for themselves, acceptance over things they cannot control, and more emotional stability. Moreover, they easily "ride the waves" of highs and lows in life. This is counter to what most people view the process of aging as a state of decline into bitterness and remorse, it is in fact the opposite. We tend to become better people.

Example Question #11 : Personality Changes And Growth

Travis worries about his sexual fantasies about other men and then acts hyper-masculine around his peers. Which of the following Freudian defense mechanism is Travis’s ego exhibiting?

Possible Answers:

Denial 

Projection

Identification

Reaction formation

Sublimation

Correct answer:

Reaction formation

Explanation:

According to Freud, defense mechanisms are ways for the ego to protect the conscious mind from the anxiety that arises from unacceptable impulses. 

Reaction formation is when someone expresses an exaggerated, opposite version of how they actually feel (e.g. Travis’s hyper-masculinity in response to his worries about not being masculine enough). 

While intriguing, the other choices are incorrect. Denial is when someone acts as if the negative feelings or event causing the negative feelings does not exist. Identification is when someone takes on the characteristics of someone else in order to give himself or herself more power. Projection is when someone attributes his or her own feelings to another person or group. Sublimation is when someone channels his or her unacceptable feelings toward a more productive, socially acceptable activity/goal. 

Example Question #81 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Tom lost his beloved job as a teacher and convinced himself that he actually always hated that job anyway. Which of the following Freudian defense mechanism is Tom’s ego exhibiting?

Possible Answers:

Displacement

Identification

Denial

Rationalization

Reaction formation

Correct answer:

Rationalization

Explanation:

According to Freud, defense mechanisms are ways for the ego to protect the conscious mind from the anxiety that arises from unacceptable impulses. 

Rationalization is when someone decides or comes up with a seemingly logical explanation to justify an event and avoid the true explanation (e.g. Tom stating that he never liked his job after getting fired).

While intriguing, the other choices are incorrect. Displacement is when someone takes their negative emotions and focuses them on a different, safer target. Reaction formation is when someone expresses an exaggerated, opposite version of how they actually feel. Denial is when someone acts as if the negative feelings or events that cause negative emotions do not exist. Identification is when someone takes on the characteristics of someone else in order to give himself or herself more power. 

Example Question #82 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Sue is intimidated by her boss but tells other people that she thinks her boss is scared of her. Which of the following Freudian defense mechanism is Sue’s ego exhibiting?

Possible Answers:

Sublimation

Projection

Denial

Displacement

Identification

Correct answer:

Projection

Explanation:

According to Freud, defense mechanisms are ways for the ego to protect the conscious mind from the anxiety that arises from unacceptable impulses. 

Projection is when someone attributes his or her own feelings to another person or group (e.g. Sue projecting her feelings of fear onto her boss).

While intriguing, the other choices are incorrect. Displacement is when someone takes their negative emotions and focuses them on a different, safer target. Denial is when someone acts as if the negative feelings or events that cause negative emotions do not exist. Sublimation is when someone channels his or her unacceptable feelings toward a more productive, socially acceptable activity/goal. Identification is when someone takes on the characteristics of someone else in order to give himself or herself more power.

Example Question #81 : Personality

Leah has a frustrating day at work and then comes home and kicks her TV. Which of the following Freudian defense mechanism is Leah’s ego exhibiting?

Possible Answers:

Identification

Denial

Rationalization

Displacement 

Reaction formation

Correct answer:

Displacement 

Explanation:

According to Freud, defense mechanisms are ways for the ego to protect the conscious mind from the anxiety that arises from unacceptable impulses. 

Displacement is when someone takes their negative emotions and focuses them on a different, safer target (e.g. Leah taking out her frustration on her TV).

While intriguing, the other choices are incorrect. Rationalization is when someone decides or comes up with a seemingly logical explanation to justify an event and avoid the true explanation. Reaction formation is when someone expresses an exaggerated, opposite version of how they actually feel. Denial is when someone acts as if the negative feelings or events that cause negative emotions do not exist. Identification is when someone takes on the characteristics of someone else in order to give himself or herself more power. 

 

Example Question #82 : Personality

Rob breaks his ankle and refuses to cancel the marathon he was scheduled to run in the next month. Which of the following Freudian defense mechanism is Rob’s ego exhibiting?

Possible Answers:

Sublimation

Rationalization

Projection

Identification

Denial

Correct answer:

Denial

Explanation:

According to Freud, defense mechanisms are ways for the ego to protect the conscious mind from the anxiety that arises from unacceptable impulses. 

Denial is when someone acts as if the negative feelings or events that cause negative emotions do not exist (e.g. Robs denial of his injury and inability to run in the marathon). 

While intriguing, the other choices are incorrect. Rationalization is when someone decides or comes up with a seemingly logical explanation to justify an event and avoid the true explanation. Identification is when someone takes on the characteristics of someone else in order to give himself or herself more power. Projection is when someone attributes his or her own feelings to another person or group. Sublimation is when someone channels his or her unacceptable feelings toward a more productive, socially acceptable activity/goal. 

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