D564 Exam 4 Actual Exam Style V3 | WGU
D564 Theories of Personality | Western
Governors University
1. When a clinician uses the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), they are relying on which
underlying psychological concept?
A. The Barnum Effect
B. The Projective Hypothesis
C. The Lexical Hypothesis
D. Self-Report Bias
Answer: B
Rationale: The projective hypothesis suggests that when individuals are presented with
ambiguous stimuli, they project their internal needs, fears, and values onto those stimuli.
This allows clinicians to assess subconscious processes that a client might not be able to
articulate directly. The TAT specifically uses pictures to elicit these narratives, providing
insight into the client’s personality structure and interpersonal dynamics.
2. Which validity scale on the MMPI-2 is designed to detect individuals who are ‘faking good’
or presenting themselves in an unrealistically positive light?
A. The F Scale
B. The Fb Scale
,C. The VRIN Scale
D. The K Scale
Answer: D
Rationale: The K scale is used to identify clinical defensiveness or an attempt to appear
more adjusted than one actually is. This analytical tool adjusts scores to account for the
individual’s tendency to minimize psychopathology. High K scores often indicate a lack of
insight or a deliberate effort to present a socially desirable image during the assessment
process.
3. In the context of the Five-Factor Model, a person who is described as being organized,
reliable, and hardworking would score high on which trait?
A. Conscientiousness
B. Extraversion
C. Agreeableness
D. Openness to Experience
Answer: A
Rationale: Conscientiousness reflects an individual’s level of self-discipline, orderliness,
and achievement-striving. Research consistently shows that this trait is one of the
strongest predictors of job performance and academic success. Analysis of this personality
dimension reveals how individuals manage their impulses and direct their behavior toward
long-term goals.
, 4. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of detachment from
social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression?
A. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
B. Avoidant Personality Disorder
C. Schizoid Personality Disorder
D. Paranoid Personality Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Schizoid Personality Disorder is defined by a lack of interest in social
relationships and a limited emotional range. Unlike Schizotypal PD, it does not typically
involve cognitive or perceptual distortions or eccentricities. This diagnosis requires careful
clinical observation to distinguish between a voluntary preference for isolation and social
anxiety.
5. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was originally developed specifically to treat which
personality disorder?
A. Antisocial Personality Disorder
B. Borderline Personality Disorder
C. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
D. Histrionic Personality Disorder
Answer: B
D564 Theories of Personality | Western
Governors University
1. When a clinician uses the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), they are relying on which
underlying psychological concept?
A. The Barnum Effect
B. The Projective Hypothesis
C. The Lexical Hypothesis
D. Self-Report Bias
Answer: B
Rationale: The projective hypothesis suggests that when individuals are presented with
ambiguous stimuli, they project their internal needs, fears, and values onto those stimuli.
This allows clinicians to assess subconscious processes that a client might not be able to
articulate directly. The TAT specifically uses pictures to elicit these narratives, providing
insight into the client’s personality structure and interpersonal dynamics.
2. Which validity scale on the MMPI-2 is designed to detect individuals who are ‘faking good’
or presenting themselves in an unrealistically positive light?
A. The F Scale
B. The Fb Scale
,C. The VRIN Scale
D. The K Scale
Answer: D
Rationale: The K scale is used to identify clinical defensiveness or an attempt to appear
more adjusted than one actually is. This analytical tool adjusts scores to account for the
individual’s tendency to minimize psychopathology. High K scores often indicate a lack of
insight or a deliberate effort to present a socially desirable image during the assessment
process.
3. In the context of the Five-Factor Model, a person who is described as being organized,
reliable, and hardworking would score high on which trait?
A. Conscientiousness
B. Extraversion
C. Agreeableness
D. Openness to Experience
Answer: A
Rationale: Conscientiousness reflects an individual’s level of self-discipline, orderliness,
and achievement-striving. Research consistently shows that this trait is one of the
strongest predictors of job performance and academic success. Analysis of this personality
dimension reveals how individuals manage their impulses and direct their behavior toward
long-term goals.
, 4. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of detachment from
social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression?
A. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
B. Avoidant Personality Disorder
C. Schizoid Personality Disorder
D. Paranoid Personality Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Schizoid Personality Disorder is defined by a lack of interest in social
relationships and a limited emotional range. Unlike Schizotypal PD, it does not typically
involve cognitive or perceptual distortions or eccentricities. This diagnosis requires careful
clinical observation to distinguish between a voluntary preference for isolation and social
anxiety.
5. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was originally developed specifically to treat which
personality disorder?
A. Antisocial Personality Disorder
B. Borderline Personality Disorder
C. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
D. Histrionic Personality Disorder
Answer: B
