D564 Final Exam Actual Exam Style V2 |
WGU D564 Theories of Personality |
Western Governors University
1. According to Sigmund Freud, which part of the personality is governed by the ‘pleasure
principle’?
A. The Id
B. The Superego
C. The Ego
D. The Ideal Self
Answer: A
Rationale: The Id is the most primitive part of the personality and seeks immediate
gratification of all biological needs. It lacks logic and operates entirely within the
unconscious mind. Freud argued that it drives our basic instincts for survival and
reproduction.
2. Alfred Adler suggested that the primary motivation for human behavior is not sexual urges,
but rather:
A. The search for meaning
B. Biological determinism
C. Self-actualization
,D. Striving for superiority
Answer: D
Rationale: Adler believed that individuals are born with a sense of inferiority and spend
their lives trying to overcome it. This concept, known as striving for superiority, involves
moving from a felt minus to a felt plus position. He emphasized that this drive is a social
rather than purely biological force.
3. In Carl Jung’s theory, the ‘shadow’ archetype represents:
A. The social mask we wear in public
B. The feminine side of the male psyche
C. The dark, repressed, and animalistic side of the personality
D. The center of the entire personality
Answer: C
Rationale: The shadow consists of the qualities and impulses we find unacceptable in
ourselves. Jung believed that acknowledging the shadow is essential for personal growth
and individuation. It contains both primitive instincts and creative energy that the ego
denies.
4. Karen Horney’s concept of ‘basic anxiety’ results from:
A. The Oedipus complex
B. Feelings of isolation and helplessness in a hostile world
, C. A lack of self-actualization
D. Biological predispositions to neurosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Horney argued that basic anxiety is the foundation of neurosis and is caused by
disturbed interpersonal relationships in childhood. When parents fail to provide a warm,
secure environment, the child feels small and vulnerable. This leads to the development of
coping strategies like moving toward, against, or away from people.
5. Which of Erikson’s psychosocial stages occurs during adolescence and focuses on
developing a sense of self?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. Generativity vs. Stagnation
D. Identity vs. Role Confusion
Answer: D
Rationale: This stage involves exploring personal values, beliefs, and goals to establish a
coherent identity. Adolescents who successfully navigate this crisis develop the virtue of
fidelity. Failure to do so leads to confusion about their place in society.
6. In B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning, ‘negative reinforcement’ involves:
A. Applying an unpleasant stimulus to stop a behavior
WGU D564 Theories of Personality |
Western Governors University
1. According to Sigmund Freud, which part of the personality is governed by the ‘pleasure
principle’?
A. The Id
B. The Superego
C. The Ego
D. The Ideal Self
Answer: A
Rationale: The Id is the most primitive part of the personality and seeks immediate
gratification of all biological needs. It lacks logic and operates entirely within the
unconscious mind. Freud argued that it drives our basic instincts for survival and
reproduction.
2. Alfred Adler suggested that the primary motivation for human behavior is not sexual urges,
but rather:
A. The search for meaning
B. Biological determinism
C. Self-actualization
,D. Striving for superiority
Answer: D
Rationale: Adler believed that individuals are born with a sense of inferiority and spend
their lives trying to overcome it. This concept, known as striving for superiority, involves
moving from a felt minus to a felt plus position. He emphasized that this drive is a social
rather than purely biological force.
3. In Carl Jung’s theory, the ‘shadow’ archetype represents:
A. The social mask we wear in public
B. The feminine side of the male psyche
C. The dark, repressed, and animalistic side of the personality
D. The center of the entire personality
Answer: C
Rationale: The shadow consists of the qualities and impulses we find unacceptable in
ourselves. Jung believed that acknowledging the shadow is essential for personal growth
and individuation. It contains both primitive instincts and creative energy that the ego
denies.
4. Karen Horney’s concept of ‘basic anxiety’ results from:
A. The Oedipus complex
B. Feelings of isolation and helplessness in a hostile world
, C. A lack of self-actualization
D. Biological predispositions to neurosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Horney argued that basic anxiety is the foundation of neurosis and is caused by
disturbed interpersonal relationships in childhood. When parents fail to provide a warm,
secure environment, the child feels small and vulnerable. This leads to the development of
coping strategies like moving toward, against, or away from people.
5. Which of Erikson’s psychosocial stages occurs during adolescence and focuses on
developing a sense of self?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. Generativity vs. Stagnation
D. Identity vs. Role Confusion
Answer: D
Rationale: This stage involves exploring personal values, beliefs, and goals to establish a
coherent identity. Adolescents who successfully navigate this crisis develop the virtue of
fidelity. Failure to do so leads to confusion about their place in society.
6. In B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning, ‘negative reinforcement’ involves:
A. Applying an unpleasant stimulus to stop a behavior
