Psychology - Psychology Concepts - MCAT Practice Questions
Which defense mechanism involves attributing one's own unacceptable personal characteristics, such as deceitfulness, to other people? Projection
A person who is secretly attracted to a coworker they despise begins to constantly and publicly criticize that coworker's ethics and behavior. This exaggerated opposition to their true desire is an example of: Reaction Formation
An individual with strong, socially unacceptable aggressive impulses decides to become a professional boxer or a surgeon. This is an example of: Sublimation
A student who is angry at their strict professor goes home and yells at their roommate instead of confronting the professor. This redirecting of frustration toward a safer target is called: Displacement
A soldier who witnessed a traumatic event on the battlefield cannot recall the event or the period surrounding it. Which defense mechanism is most likely at work? Repression
A person who receives a devastating medical diagnosis focuses intensely on researching the disease's molecular structure and statistical survival rates, avoiding any emotional response. This is an example of: Intellectualization
Which behavior is characterized by acting indirectly aggressive, such as consistently missing deadlines or intentionally doing a poor job to express underlying resentment? Passive-Aggressive Behavior
A person attempting to say "Please pass the salt" accidentally says "Please pass the sex." According to Freudian theory, this mistake is known as a: Freudian Slip
Which Freudian principle is associated with the Ego and involves assessing the constraints of the real world before acting on urges? Reality principle
The biological drive of life, which includes self-preservation, sex, and other pleasure-seeking forces, is termed: Eros
The mental force that seeks immediate gratification for all needs, regardless of consequences, is operating on the: Pleasure principle
The biological drive that represents the aggressive, destructive, and self-destructive tendencies is known as: Thanatos
Which personality type seeks excitement and social activity to increase their level of brain arousal? Extravert
Individuals who avoid social situations, preferring solitude, because they are seeking to minimize their level of stimulation and brain arousal are generally considered: Introverts
The Behavioral Approach System (BAS) in the brain is responsible for regulating: Appetitive motives (moving towards desired goals)
The Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) in the brain is primarily responsible for: Moving away from unpleasant stimuli (aversive motives)
Which gene regulates traits like motivation and thrill-seeking and is linked to behaviors such as ADHD, addiction, and risk-taking? DRD4 Gene
In the study of personality, traits that are easily observable by others (e.g., friendliness, sloppiness) are called: Surface traits
Which type of personality trait is considered less visible but is the fundamental, underlying factor that influences and causes various observable behaviors? Source traits
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is primarily used for the purpose of: Identifying differing psychological preferences in perception and decision-making
After a company downsizing, an employee who fears being fired constantly praises the company and works excessive, unpaid hours. This behavior is most consistent with: Reaction Formation
A student with high test anxiety finds relief by attributing their anxious feelings to the teacher, saying, "The teacher is clearly nervous, and it's making the whole class tense." This is an example of: Projection