Two approaches to developing personality measures were described in the text. Identify them, and briefly describe or give examples of how personality psychologists might use them
What will be an ideal response?
(1) RATIONAL (Theoretical) Approach: Psychologist first derives a rational basis for believing that a particular dimension of personality is important. Next, he or she creates a test on which this logical dimension is reflected validly and reliably in people's answers.
(2) EMPIRICAL (Data-based) Approach: Relies on data, rather than theory, to decide what items make up the assessment device. The groups into which people are to be sorted represent a set of criteria for the test. Start with a lot of possible test items, and find out which items tend to be answered differently by members of one criterion group than by other people.
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An audience member attending a television talk show, which was focusing on repressed memories, asked a noted expert if false memories could be implanted. The expert, responding correctly, said:
A. yes-only by a trained psychologist or therapist B. no-the mind is much too clever for that to happen C. yes-a false suggestion can become a detailed personal memory D. we don't know
Poor students come from homes where parents speak less than the parents of middle-class students.
Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)
Dr. Burns is trying to determine whether the behavior that was observed in a sample is representative of behavior in the larger population. To help in making this determination, Dr. Burns should use:
a. inferential statistics b. descriptive statistics c. case study analysis d. operational definitions
The first vowel sound that a child makes is generally the
a. soft "a" sound as in "father." b. soft "o" sound as in "mother." c. long "a" sound as in "grape." d. long "o" sound as in "boat." e. long "e" sound as in "meat."