Question 1

Discuss several ways in which the trait approach differs from other approaches to personality. Distinguish the special features of the trait and what it emphasizes, including the advantages of studying personality through the trait approach.

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

Describe two of your best friends in terms of the Big Five factors. For each friend, state where that person fits along each of the dimensions. Give two ways that Henry Murray and Raymond Cattell influenced this model.

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Question 3

The projective test that Murray developed was the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).

Accepted Answer

Murray did indeed develop the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) as a projective test.

Question 4

To discover the structure of personality, Cattell used a sophisticated statistical technique called correlation analysis.

Accepted Answer

Cattell used factor analysis, not correlation analysis, to discover the structure of personality. Factor analysis is a statistical method used to identify underlying relationships between variables.

Question 5

What is meant by using the score on a measure of social desirability to test discriminant validity? List the problems associated with self-report inventories and the logic behind assessment of social desirability.

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Question 6

Identify at least three strengths and three criticisms of the trait approach to personality. Do you think that the strengths outweigh the weaknesses enough to make this a dominant force in personality study? Or are the weaknesses salient enough that the trait approach is less effective than other models? Why?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

Research has shown that among the Big Five personality factors, the best predictor of job performance is conscientiousness.

Accepted Answer

Conscientiousness has consistently been found to have the strongest positive correlation with job performance across different job types and industries.

Question 8

Discuss the contributions of Gordon Allport to understanding personality and distinguish between nomothetic and idiographic approaches to personality. Give three kinds of personality traits proposed by Allport and an example of each. What alternative explanations for adult behavior and personality did Allport propose?

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Question 9

Identify the different measures that are built into the MMPI to identify when people are answering in an invalid way. Which of these do you think is the most important? Why? Give an example of why someone might try to "outsmart" each of these scales?

Accepted Answer

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Question 10

Summarize the situation versus trait controversy. Discuss two criticisms of the trait approach given by Mischel with respect to this controversy. Give a defense of the trait approach and specify how the criticisms and defense have improved our understanding of personality traits.

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Quiz 7: The Trait Approach: Theory, Application, and Assessment