Personality

EXERCISES [PAGE 32]

Exercises | Q Q.1 (1) | Page 32

Choose the correct option and complete the following statement:
A person who is shy and reserved is called an ______

1. introvert
2. extrovert
3. ambivert
Solution: A person who is shy and reserved is called an introvert.

Exercises | Q Q.1 (2) | Page 32

Choose the correct option and complete the following statement:
The ink blot test was developed by psychologist ______.

1. Murray
2. Rorschach
3. Morgan
Solution: The ink blot test was developed by psychologist Rorschach.

Exercises | Q Q.1 (3) | Page 32

Choose the correct option and complete the following statement:
______ traits are the dominant characteristics of a person.

1. Cardinal
2. Secondary
3. Central
Solution: Cardinal traits are the dominant characteristics of a person.

Exercises | Q Q.2 | Page 32

Match the following pairs.

Group ‘A’ Group ‘B’
1. Self-report technique (a) Interview
2. Behavioural analysis (b) MMPI
 3. Projective methods (c) Permanent characteristics
(d) TAT
Solution:
Group ‘A’ Group ‘B’
1. Self-report technique (b) MMPI
2. Behavioural analysis (a) Interview
3. Projective methods (d) TAT
Exercises | Q Q.3 (1) | Page 32
State whether the following statement is true or false:
Personality is merely related to external appearance.

1. True
2. False
Solution: This statement is False.

Exercises | Q Q.3 (2) | Page 32

State whether the following statement is true or false:
People with high neuroticism are emotionally reactive.

1. True
2. False
Solution: This statement is True.

Exercises | Q Q.3 (3) | Page 32

State whether the following statement is true or false:
Children from families having a warm emotional atmosphere are well adjusted.

1. True
2. False
Solution: This statement is True.

Exercises | Q Q.4 (1) | Page 32

Explain the following Concept in 25 to 30 words:
Personality
Solution: The word personality is derived from the Latin word 'persona' which was used
to refer to masks worn by actors during a stage performance, Thus, the meaning of
personality was interpreted as 'projected behaviour' of an individual.
According to Gordon Allport, "Personality is the dynamic organization within the
individual of those psychophysical systems that determines his unique adjustments to
the environment." According to Norman Munn, "Personality is a unique combination of
an individual's physical structure, needs, interests, abilities, and aptitudes."

Exercises | Q Q.4 (2) | Page 32

Explain the following Concept in 25 to 30 words:
Trait
Solution: A trait is a relatively enduring and consistent way of thinking, feeling, and
acting. It is some distinctive characteristic of the person that leads him/her to behave in
more or less consistent ways across situations and over a period of time. Allport
categorised traits as :
1. Cardinal Traits (single, dominant trait)
2. Central Traits (core or basic traits)
3. Secondary Traits
Exercises | Q Q.4 (3) | Page 32
Explain the following Concept in 25 to 30 words:
Sentence completion test

Solution: Sentence Completion Test (SCT) is a type of projective technique used to

assess personality. The individual is given a series of incomplete sentences and is
asked to complete them in his/her own words, for e.g., My mother ......, My greatest fear
is ....... It is assumed that the endings provided by the person will reflect their motivation,
urges, internal conflicts, etc.

Exercises | Q Q.4 (4) | Page 32

Explain the following Concept in 25 to 30 words:
Structured interview

Solution: A structured interview is a type of interview in which the total number of

questions to be asked to an interviewee and the sequence of questions are pre-
determined. In this method, no questions are added or deleted through the course of an
interview.

Exercises | Q Q.4 (5) | Page 32

Explain the following Concept in 25 to 30 words:
Unstructured interview

Solution: An unstructured interview is a type of interview in which the total number of

questions to be asked to an interviewee and the sequence of questions are not pre-
determined. Depending on the responses of an interviewee, some questions are added
or deleted through the course of an interview.

Exercises | Q Q.5 (1) | Page 32

Write short notes on the following:
Gordon Allport’s trait theory of personality
1. Solution: Gordon Allport’s theory of personality is based on the trait perspective.
2. Allport identified 18,000 separate terms that could be used to describe
personality.
3. Based on these descriptions, he suggested three basic categories of traits as
follows:
a. Cardinal trait: It is a single trait that dominates an individual’s entire personality.
It dominates and shapes a person’s behaviour for his whole life. A person
becomes known specifically for this trait. e.g. a trait of humanitarianism was the
cardinal trait in Mother Teresa’s personality.
b. Central traits: These traits are general characteristics that form the basic
foundation of an individual’s personality. Alternatively, around five to ten traits
that best describe an individual’s personality are called central traits. These traits
are the building blocks of our personality. e.g. traits like sensitivity, sociability,
self-confidence, diligence, honesty.
c. Secondary traits: These traits appear only in specific situations and so, are
narrow in their effect. Secondary traits play a very minor role in determining an
individual’s personality as such traits are situational. e.g. getting anxious before
an interview, being impatient while waiting in a queue.
Exercises | Q Q.5 (2) | Page 32
Write short notes on the following:
Effect of mass media on personality development
Solution: The word personality is derived from the Latin word 'persona' which was used
to refer to masks worn by actors during a stage performance, Thus, the meaning of
personality was interpreted as 'projected behaviour' of an individual.
According to Gordon Allport, "Personality is the dynamic organization within the
individual of those psychophysical systems that determines his unique adjustments to
the environment."
The psycho-social factors that have an effect on personality include heredity, family,
peer group, culture, and mass media.
Mass media includes print media e.g., newspapers; audio-visual media e.g., T.V. and
new media e.g., internet. Media is a source of information, education, entertainment,
and even socialization. It has a considerable effect on our value system, behaviour
patterns and personality. However, excessive dependence on media may lead to
egocentrism, poor academic performance, difficulty in concentration, sleep disturbance,
etc.

Exercises | Q Q.6 (1) | Page 32

Answer the following question with given points in 100 to 150 words.
Explain the Big Five Factors Model of Personality.

Points :
i. Neuroticism
ii. Extroversion
iii. Openness to experience
iv. Agreeableness
v. Conscientiousness
Solution: The word personality is derived from the Latin word 'persona' which was used
to refer to masks worn by actors during a stage performance, Thus, the meaning of
personality was interpreted as 'projected behaviour' of an individual.
According to Gordon Allport, "Personality is the dynamic organization within the
individual of those psychophysical systems that determines his unique adjustments to
the environment."
According to Norman Munn, "Personality is a unique combination of individual's physical
structure, needs, interests, abilities, and aptitudes The Five-Factor Model of or Big Five
Personality theory, based on the trait perspective proposed by Robert McCrae and Paul
Costa. The five broad t.rait, factors are - (i) Neuroticism (ii) Extroversion (iii) Openness
to Experience (iv) Agreeableness (v) Conscientiousness
i. Neuroticism- It refers to a tendency to experience negative emotions such as
anger, anxiety, or depression more intensely and for longer periods than normally
experienced by others. Those who score high on neuroticism tend to be irritable,
fearful, emotionally unstable, and interpret ordinary situations as threatening and
hopeless. People who score low in neuroticism are less emotionally reactive and
hence tend to be calmer, emotionally stable, and experience more positive
feelings.
ii. Extroversion - Extroversion is marked by pronounced engagement with the
external world. People high on this trait are assertive, talkative, sociable,
enthusiastic, etc. Individuals showing low extroversion tend to be shy, reserved,
lack the activity levels of extroverts. They are low-key and disengaged from the
social world.
 iii. Openness to Experience - People who are open to experience are intellectually
curious imaginative, appreciative of art, sensitive to beauty. They sometimes
tend to think and act in nonconforming, adventurous ways. Individuals who score
low on openness to experience tend to be conventional, resistant to change, and
prefer familiarity and routine. They may lack creativity and aesthetic sense.
iv. Agreeableness - It refers to the ability of a person to get along with others and
show concern for social harmony. People high on this trait tend to be friendly,
cooperative, generous, and believe that people are basically decent and
trustworthy. Persons low on agreeableness tend to be uncooperative, suspicious,
even hostile, and jealous.
v. Conscientiousness - It concerns the way in which people control, regulate, and
direct their impulses. People high in conscientiousness are hardworking,
disciplined, responsible, dependable, etc, while those low on conscientiousness
tend to be careless, unorganised, spontaneous, undisciplined, etc.
Exercises | Q Q.6 (2) | Page 32
Answer the following question with given points in 100 to 150 words.
Explain the factors influencing personality.

Points :
i. Family
ii. School
iii. Peer group
iv. Culture
Solution:
i. Family: Family structure and socio-economic status, emotional, academic, and
cultural environment, interactions between family members, child-rearing
practices, etc. have a significant effect on an individual’s personality. e.g. in the
family having a warm emotional atmosphere, love, and respect shown by parents
towards children has positive effects on the child’s personality. Conversely,
overprotection, rejection, negligence, etc. have adverse effects on a child’s
personality.
ii. School: The elements related to school like the teaching-learning process,
academic activities, and co-curricular facilities, teachers’ rapport with students,
school discipline and policies, etc. have a significant impact on student’s
personalities. e.g. creative, well-qualified, experienced, and well-mannered
teachers act as role models for students. They provide opportunities for the
optimum development of students which in turn helps students in healthier
development of their personality.
iii. Peer group: Peers surround us in our everyday lives from early childhood until
old age. The peer group may influence personality in a positive as well as
negative manner. e.g. good habits such as studying regularly, respecting
everyone, etc. may be developed by being in a good company of friends.
 Conversely, unhealthy habits such as bunking lectures, developing addictions,
etc. may be developed by being in a bad company.
iv. Culture: Every culture has its own set of values, beliefs, norms, etc. which
influence an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviour patterns. e.g.
leadership qualities, listening skills, entrepreneurial skills, tendencies to co-
operate, etc. may vary across cultures and so, people from different cultural
backgrounds may have different personalities.
Exercises | Q Q.6 (3) | Page 32
Answer the following question with given points in 100 to 150 words.
Explain the various methods of personality measurement.

Points :
i. Behavioural analysis
ii. Self-report technique
iii. Projective method
i. Solution: Behavioural analysis: The behavioural analysis method helps in
assessing the personality of an individual with the help of techniques such as
interview and observation. In other words, researchers try to get information
about an individual’s personality with the help of a structured or unstructured
interview or by observing his behaviour.
ii. Self-report technique: In the self-report technique, a person provides
information on his own personality by responding to questions or sentences in a
particular inventory. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), 16
Personality Factors (PF) by Cattell, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), High
School Personality Inventory (HSPQ) are some of the examples of self-report
inventory.
iii. Projective method: Projective methods are intended to uncover feelings,
desires, and conflicts that are hidden at the unconscious level. Here, individuals
respond freely to relatively unstructured or ambiguous materials. While
responding, they project their own personalities onto the unstructured stimulus. It
often reveals their personal conflicts, motivations, coping styles, and other
characteristics. e.g. Rorschach’s inkblot test, Thematic Appreciation Test (TAT),
Sentence-completion test.