1. What is one of the primary cognitive factors that influences personality dynamics, according to modern personality theories?
A. The extent of comparisons with others
B. How people manage emotions
C. The ideas people have about themselves Correct
D. The frequency of attitude changes
Explanation
Modern personality theories (especially cognitive and humanistic approaches, such as those influenced by Bandura, Mischel, Rogers, and Kelly) emphasize that the ideas people have about themselves — their self-concept, self-schemas, self-efficacy beliefs, and personal constructs — are a primary cognitive factor shaping personality dynamics. These self-related cognitions guide how people interpret events, respond to situations, regulate behavior, and adapt over time. Comparing with others (A) is a social comparison process (Festinger) but not the primary cognitive driver of personality. Managing emotions (B) is important (emotional regulation is part of personality) but is secondary to core self-beliefs. Frequency of attitude changes (D) relates more to consistency or openness, not a central cognitive factor in modern theories. Only C captures the central role of self-related ideas in contemporary personality psychology.
2. Which statement describes a common element of modern theories of personality dynamics?
A. Personality consists of varied responses to the same stimuli.
B. Personality depends on adjustments to the demands of life. Correct
C. Personality is largely determined by role models.
D. The pursuit of pleasure is a primary motivation.
Explanation
Modern personality theories (including trait, cognitive, humanistic, social-cognitive, and even some psychodynamic revisions) commonly view personality as involving adjustments to the demands of life — how individuals adapt, cope, and respond flexibly to environmental challenges, stressors, roles, and developmental tasks. This adaptive, interactionist perspective is shared across approaches (e.g., Allport’s functional autonomy, Erikson’s psychosocial stages, Bandura’s reciprocal determinism, Mischel’s CAPS model). Varied responses to stimuli (A) is too narrow and behaviorist. Role models (C) are important in social learning but not a common element across all modern theories. Pursuit of pleasure (D) is Freudian pleasure principle, not a shared modern view. Only B reflects the common adaptive adjustment theme.
3. What is one key component of Erikson’s theory?
A. Normal and pathological development occur in the same manner.
B. Development occurs across eight stages. Correct
C. The ego is concerned primarily with biological issues.
D. Development is ended by adolescence.
Explanation
Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory is built around development occurring across eight stages from infancy to late adulthood, each stage defined by a specific psychosocial crisis (e.g., trust vs. mistrust, identity vs. role confusion, integrity vs. despair). Successful resolution of each crisis leads to a positive ego strength; failure leads to vulnerability. Normal and pathological development do not occur in the same manner (A) — Erikson distinguished between healthy and maladaptive resolutions. The ego is concerned with social and psychological issues, not primarily biological (C) — that is more Freudian. Development continues throughout life, not ending at adolescence (D). Only B is a key component of Erikson’s theory.
4. Which aspect of Jung’s personality theory is responsible for adapting to the world?
A. Shadow
B. Animus
C. Persona Correct
D. Ego
Explanation
In Jung’s analytical psychology, the persona is the social mask or public face that individuals present to the world — it is the aspect responsible for adapting to social expectations, roles, and the external environment. The persona helps people conform, interact appropriately, and function in society. The shadow (A) is the repressed, darker aspects of personality. Animus (B) is the masculine archetype in women. Ego (D) is the conscious self but not specifically the adaptive social mask. Only persona is responsible for adapting to the world.
5. Which aspect of Jungian psychology is generally considered controversial by modern psychologists?
A. Group unconscious
B. Individual unconscious
C. Personal unconscious
D. Collective unconscious Correct
Explanation
The collective unconscious — Jung’s concept of a shared, inherited layer of the unconscious containing archetypes (universal symbols and themes common across humanity) — is the most controversial aspect of Jungian psychology. Modern psychologists (especially empirical and scientific-oriented ones) criticize it as untestable, mystical, and lacking scientific evidence, viewing it more as philosophy or mythology than psychology. Group unconscious (A) is not a Jungian term. Individual unconscious (B) and personal unconscious (C) refer to personal repressed material and are less controversial (similar to Freud’s ideas). Only collective unconscious remains widely debated and controversial.