Psychology - Personality and Research - MCAT Practice Questions

The unique combination of patterns that influence behavior, thought, motivation, and emotion in a human being is known as:

A. Attitude
B. Personality
C. Temperament
D. Self-Concept

The innate personality traits that determine how someone reacts to the world, which are influenced by genetics, family, and culture, are referred to as:

A. Personality
B. Character
C. Attitude
D. Temperament

The purpose of Twin Studies in Personality Research is primarily to understand the influence of:

A. Sibling rivalry on trait development
B. Environmental factors alone on behavior
C. Genetics and environment on traits and behaviors
D. Cultural differences in personality structure

If an identical twin reared apart develops the same level of shyness as their twin, this suggests a stronger influence of:

A. Environment
B. Genetics
C. Culture
D. Socialization

The scientific and objective study of behavior, particularly in natural conditions, viewing it as an evolutionarily adaptive trait, is:

A. Comparative Psychology
B. Sociobiology
C. Developmental Psychology
D. Ethology

The study of animals to gain insights into human behavior is the central focus of:

A. Ethology
B. Behavioral Ecology
C. Social Psychology
D. Comparative Psychology

A complex, unlearned, innate sequence of coordinated movements performed without interruption, such as a goose rolling an egg back into its nest, is known as a:

A. Reflex
B. Learned Response
C. Fixed-Action Pattern (FAP)
D. Habit

Which two hormones are released after orgasm, with one relieving sexual arousal and the other producing feelings of euphoria?

A. Estrogen and Testosterone
B. Adrenaline and Cortisol
C. Prolactin and Endorphins
D. Serotonin and Dopamine

The hormone released after orgasm that plays a key role in promoting bonding and feelings of connectedness between partners is:

A. Endorphin
B. Prolactin
C. Dopamine
D. Oxytocin

The theory that suggests our behavior is primarily determined by the strength of our intentions and the perceived implications of our actions is the:

A. Prototype Willingness Model
B. Effort Justification
C. Foot-in-the-Door Technique
D. Theory of Planned Behavior

According to the Theory of Planned Behavior, a person's intention to exercise is influenced by their attitude, subjective norms, and:

A. Cognitive Dissonance
B. Fixed-Action Pattern (FAP)
C. Perceived behavioral control
D. Effort Justification

A teenager's decision to start smoking being influenced by whether they find the "smoker" social group (the risk prototype) attractive or unattractive aligns with the principles of the:

A. Theory of Planned Behavior
B. Prototype Willingness Model
C. Foot-in-the-Door Technique
D. Effort Justification

A salesperson first asks a client to sign a free petition (small request) and then asks them to purchase a full product package (larger request). This is an example of the:

A. Prototype Willingness Model
B. Foot-in-the-Door Technique
C. Effort Justification
D. Cognitive Dissonance Reduction

A college student who hated her course during the semester convinces herself after receiving her grade that the course was, in fact, incredibly valuable because she invested so much time studying for it. This is a form of:

A. Prototype Willingness Model
B. Cognitive Dissonance Reduction
C. Effort Justification
D. Foot-in-the-Door Technique

The psychological discomfort experienced when a person holds two or more conflicting attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors is the underlying driver for:

A. Effort Justification
B. Cognitive Dissonance Reduction
C. Fixed-Action Pattern (FAP)
D. Theory of Planned Behavior

Which of the following is a method for Cognitive Dissonance Reduction?

A. Increasing arousal levels
B. Focusing on innate temperament
C. Behavior change (e.g., quitting a bad habit)
D. Displaying a Fixed-Action Pattern (FAP)

If a person who believes recycling is important but never recycles decides to rationalize their behavior by arguing that "one person's recycling doesn't really make a difference," this is an example of:

A. Attitude change
B. Behavior change
C. Perceptual change (rationalization/justification)
D. Attribution change (blaming external factors)

A person with an environmentalist attitude buys a gas-guzzling truck. To reduce dissonance, they choose to buy a hybrid car next month. This uses the reduction method of:

A. Attitude change
B. Behavior change
C. Perceptual change
D. Attribution change

The approach to behavior that emphasizes that an individual's actions are dictated by the demands, context, and expectations of the environment rather than stable internal traits is the:

A. Effort Justification
B. Prototype Willingness Model
C. Situational Approach to Behavior
D. Theory of Planned Behavior

A researcher studying how the environment (e.g., stress level) affects the expression of inherited Temperament is conducting research most closely aligned with:

A. Ethology
B. Comparative Psychology
C. Twin Studies in Personality Research
D. Theory of Planned Behavior

A hawk swooping to catch a rabbit, an unlearned and consistent pattern, is a classic example studied in:

A. Comparative Psychology
B. Ethology
C. Situational Approach to Behavior
D. Prototype Willingness Model

A couple experiences strong feelings of closeness and trust immediately after intercourse. This post-orgasmic bonding is primarily promoted by the release of:

A. Endorphins
B. Prolactin
C. Oxytocin
D. Adrenaline

Which term best describes the motivation of an Extravert who attends a large party?

A. Aversive motives (BIS)
B. Appetitive motives (BAS)
C. Effort Justification
D. Fixed-Action Pattern (FAP)

A smoker who believes "Smoking is bad for my health" reduces their cognitive dissonance by reading a study that claims "Moderate smoking is fine." This is an example of which type of Cognitive Dissonance Reduction?

A. Behavior change
B. Attitude change (changing one's belief)
C. Displacement
D. Repression

The idea that a person's behavior is often determined by the specific expectations and norms of their current setting (e.g., acting differently at a funeral than at a sporting event) is the foundation of the:

A. Personality
B. Temperament
C. Situational Approach to Behavior
D. Foot-in-the-Door Technique