PYC2601/201/2/2023

Tutorial letter 201/2/2023

Personality Theories
PYC2601

Semester 2
Department of Psychology

Feedback on Assignment 01
 CONTENTS

PYC2601........................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.1

INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 3
THE ANSWERING OF MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS......................................................... 3
FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENT 01 ............................................................................................. 4
General comments on Assignment 01 ..................................................................................... 4
ANSWERS TO ASSIGNMENT 01 ............................................................................................... 4
Feedback on the questions in Assignment 01 ........................................................................ 5
QUESTIONS ON FREUD’S THEORY ......................................................................................... 5
QUESTIONS ON THE SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY .............................................................. 7
QUESTIONS ON MASLOW’S THEORY ..................................................................................... 9

2
 PYC2601/201

INTRODUCTION

Dear PYC2601 Student

In this tutorial letter, we will discuss the following:

• The answering of multiple-choice questions
• Feedback on Assignment 01.

THE ANSWERING OF MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

We hope that the following will help you to answer the multiple-choice questions in this module.

➢ Our aim in using the multiple-choice question approach is to examine how well you have
understood the personality theories. While it is important for you to be able to study the facts
of each theory and recall them in the exam, it is equally vital that you are able to understand
what these facts mean. Hence, you need to be able to apply your understanding of the facts
of each theory to everyday life. Multiple-choice questions, therefore, require as much insight,
recall, and understanding as paragraph questions. Do not be misled into believing that this
is an easier or more difficult way to be examined.

➢ In addition to factually oriented questions, you will notice that we also frequently use stories
to test your understanding of the theories. In our experience, students need to apply both
their knowledge and understanding of a particular theory to answer the question within the
context of the story.

➢ We do not simply write a story for the sake of it. Rather, a story is written with a particular
theory in mind. For example, some of the stories written with Freud’s theory in mind might
centre on the inevitable and ongoing conflict between the forbidden drives of the id and the
societal expectations internalised in the superego. Stories written within the context of
Bandura’s theory might focus on its interactional nature, the three types of learning and their
corresponding reinforcements or punishments, for example.

➢ The story may test your knowledge and understanding of a particular aspect of a theory,
that is, the view of the person underlying the theory; the structure, dynamics, and
development of personality; optimal and pathological functioning; psychotherapy; and the
interpretation and handling of aggression; or test your integrated understanding of more than
one section.

➢ A useful strategy that you may apply to get into ‘multiple-choice question’ mode, is to
observe what is going on around you and discuss with a friend how you think the different
theorists would explain or interpret that observation. In addition, as you study each section
of the theory, experiment with formulating your own multiple-choice question/s on that
section. The secret is to try to see through the eyes of that theorist.

➢ Another important element to bear in mind is that you should read the stem of a multiple-
choice question carefully. By the stem, we mean that section in which the story is laid out
and/or the question that requires answering is posed. The answer that you select should be
correct in terms of the information required in the stem.

3
➢ For each multiple-choice question, therefore, you are provided with 4 alternative answers,
unless otherwise specified. The answer you select should fit with the stem and not the theory
in general. An alternative may, for example, contain correct information about the theory,
but not answer the particular question. Additional advice that we can share with you on
selecting the correct alternative is that sometimes the alternatives contain some correct
information and some incorrect information. On other occasions, the alternative may only
contain a part truth. You can immediately rule out such alternatives, as an answer cannot
be half-correct and half-incorrect! It must be completely correct. In addition, information such
as the concepts used in a particular question may fit better with a theory other than the one
on which the question is based. Look carefully at the terminology. For example, drive
satisfaction belongs to Freud’s theory and would be incorrect if used as an alternative in one
of the questions based on one of the other prescribed theories.

FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENT 01

General Comments on Assignment 01

We were pleased that most students submitted Assignment 01. Assignment 01 contributes 50%
towards your year mark. The aim of Assignment 01 was to help students work through the first
three prescribed theories, that is, Freud’s psychoanalytical theory, the social cognitive learning
approach, and Maslow’s self-actualisation theory.

You will find a summary of the correct answers to Assignment 01 in Table 1.

Please note that the questions on the online quiz were randomised. They do not necessarily follow
the chronological order that is presented in this tutorial letter.

TABLE 1

ANSWERS TO ASSIGNMENT 01

QUESTION ANSWER

1 A
2 A
3 D
4 A
5 C
6 D
7 A
8 B
9 B
10 A
11 C
12 C
13 A
14 A
15 B

4
 PYC2601/201

Feedback on the questions in Assignment 01

Each question will now be discussed. The correct alternative has been identified and highlighted
in yellow, and an explanation has been provided on why it is correct.

QUESTIONS ON FREUD’S THEORY

QUESTION 1

Freud is well known for his development of which theory?

A. Psychosexual theory
B. Archetypes theory
C. Classical conditioning theory
D. Hierarchy of needs theory

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 1

The correct answer is alternative A. Freud’s theory is, commonly referred to as a psychosexual
theory. This is because Freud’s developmental theory focuses on the development of the sex
drive and how society and the child deal with the accompanying problems. Theory of the
archetypes is associated with Carl Jung. While hierarchy of needs is a theory that is linked to
Abraham Maslow. Classical conditioning is a concept that is generally employed by radical
behaviourist theorists such as Skinner.

QUESTION 2

Hope finds herself attracted to a work colleague who isn’t her partner. When she gets home, she
unprovokedly accuses her partner of being a flirt. Which defence mechanism is Hope
employing/deploying or using?

A. Projection
B. Regression
C. Fixation
D. Rationalisation

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 2

Alternative A is correct. In the above case scenario, Hope is attributing her own feelings or desires
to another person, in this case, her partner. The prescribed textbook explains projection as an
attempt to keep the unconscious and threatening psychic material unconscious by projecting the
focus to the drives or wishes of other people and thereby ignoring the impulses within themselves.
Fixation transpires when an individual’s psychological development becomes partly stuck at a
particular stage. Regression occurs when an individual partially or totally returns to the behaviour
of an earlier stage of development in which less anxiety and frustrations were experienced.
Therefore, alternatives B and C are incorrect. Alternative D is incorrect since rationalisation is a
person’s attempt to explain their behaviour, towards themselves or others, by providing irrational
reasons.

5
QUESTION 3

Which of the following is NOT an example of a defence mechanism?

A. Denial
B. Regression
C. Rationalisation
D. Free association

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 3

The prescribed textbook discusses in detail 7 defence mechanisms that are associated with
Freud's psychoanalytical theory. These are: 1. repression and resistance 2. Projection 3. Reaction
formation 4. Rationalisation 5. Displacement and sublimation 6. Fixation and regression 7.
Identification. Can you differentiate between these defence mechanisms? Free association is a
therapeutic technique where stimulus words are used to which the patient must respond by
revealing everything that comes to mind. The correct answer is alternative D.

QUESTION 4

Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of Freudian defense mechanisms?

A. Defend the individual or person against anxiety.

B. Break down complex cells into inorganic matter.
C. Seek erotic pleasures.
D. Follow the biological tendency of cell development.

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 4

In Freudian theory the death drive is associated with the tendency to break down complex cells
to inorganic matter while the life drives are linked, connected and associated with an inclination
or predisposition to follow the general biological tendency of cell-formation and development.
Therefore, alternatives B and D are incorrect. Alternative C is incorrect as it is the sexual drives
that are concerned with the satisfaction of erotic pleasures. Since you must choose the best
possible answer alternative A is the correct answer. The individual adopts a variety of defence
mechanisms to defend themselves against anxiety.

QUESTION 5

Which of the following statements is a correct representation of Freud’s psychoanalytical theory?

A. Psychoanalytical theory provides explanations for abnormal behaviour only.

B. Psychoanalytical theory provides explanations for normal behaviour only.
C. Psychoanalytical theory provides explanations for both normal and abnormal behaviour.
D. Psychoanalytical theory does not provide explanations for normal and abnormal behaviour.

6
 PYC2601/201

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 5

Psychoanalytical theory refers strictly to Freud’s theory that he developed as a result of analysing
human functioning. Freud regards the psychoanalytical theory as capable of explaining both
normal and abnormal behaviour. For Freud, abnormal behaviour is merely an extreme form of
normal behaviour. The correct answer is alternative C. The other three alternatives (A, B and D)
are incorrect as they contradict Freud’s views or understanding of the psychoanalytical theory.

QUESTIONS ON THE SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY

QUESTION 6

In terms of Bandura’s theory, observational learning occurs when __

A. behaviour is reproduced spontaneously.

B. a person observes a model’s behaviour.
C. The observer’s behaviour, which changes as a result of observing the model’s behaviour, is
rewarded.
D. the observer’s behaviour changes as a result of observing the model’s behaviour and the
outcome thereof.

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 6

Alternative D is the correct answer. When observational learning occurs, the observer’s behaviour
is likely to change as a result of observing the model’s behaviour being rewarded or punished.
Alternative A is incorrect. Observing a model’s behaviour does not necessarily lead to
spontaneous reproduction or repetition of behaviour. Alternative B is also incorrect. Merely
observing a model’s behaviour will not necessarily lead to learning. An observer needs to pay
attention to the behaviour of a model that captures his or her attention. The observer needs to be
interested sufficiently to remember the rewarded or punished behaviour of the model, and to have
the self-efficacy to reproduce the behaviour. Alternative C is also incorrect. When a person’s
behaviour is rewarded (i.e. the observer in this alternative), it refers to direct learning and not
observational learning. The emphasis in observational learning is on an observer noticing a model
being rewarded and not on the consequences of the observer’s behaviour (i.e. whether the
observer’s behaviour is rewarded or not).

QUESTION 7

Richard goes to watch a cricket match between India and South Africa. He pays careful attention
to how his favourite batsmen, Kohli and Markram play skillfully. When he gets home, he recounts
what he observed to his dad and explains their moves and elegant batting techniques in detail.
However, Richard makes no attempt to demonstrate these moves and does not believe that he
could be a skillful cricket batsman. According to Bandura’s theory, the fact that Richard does not
believe that he can be a skilled batsman could be explained by his __.

A. low self-efficacy
B. lack of interest in cricket
C. paying insufficient attention to the models
D. inability to remember what he observed

7
FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 7

Alternative A is correct. According to Bandura, people with high self-efficacy are likely to be more
strongly motivated and to be more persistent in attempting to take control of a situation than
persons who mistrust their own capabilities. Richard does not trust his own capabilities and
therefore appears to have low-self efficacy. He does not have enough confidence in his ability to
be a skillful batsman. Alternative C and D are both incorrect because Richard has paid enough
attention to his models (Kohli and Markram) to notice their moves and remembers these moves
to recount them in detail to his dad. Alternative B is also incorrect as evidenced by Richard’s
interest in how two of his favorite cricket batsmen play skillfully.

QUESTION 8

Vanessa’s invaluable contribution during a team meeting is belittled by her disrespectful and
insecure line manager. What process is responsible for inhibiting future contributions of her
teammates in meetings?

A. Vicarious reinforcement
B. Vicarious punishment
C. Self-reinforcement
D. Direct reinforcement

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 8

In the above case scenario, the disrespectful and insecure line manager is the external agent.
The line manager’s conduct towards Vanessa’s contribution can be viewed as a form of
punishment. It is most likely that Vanessa’s teammates or colleagues observed her being
punished for her contribution (behaviour) during the meeting. Vicarious reinforcement occurs
when individuals receive rewards for their behaviour from their external agent. Therefore,
alternative A is incorrect. Alternative C and D are also incorrect. Can you establish why? The
correct alternative is B. According to Bandura’s social cognitive learning perspective, vicarious
punishment occurs when a person observes another being punished for some behaviour.

QUESTION 9

Which of the following key concepts does NOT feature as part of the social cognitive learning
perspective?

A. Vicarious reinforcement
B. Deficiency motives
C. Counter-imitation
D. Modelling

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 9

This question requires you to be familiar with the key concepts or terms associated with the social
cognitive learning approach. The prescribed textbook discusses these key concepts in detail. Can
you identify and explain them? Since the question required you to identify a concept that is not
associated with social cognitive learning perspective the correct answer is alternative B.
Deficiency motives do not feature amongst the key concepts of the social cognitive learning
theory. To the contrary, deficiency motives relate to Maslow’s first four levels of the need
hierarchy.

8
 PYC2601/201

QUESTION 10

Which person/s function/s optimally according to the social cognitive learning approach?

1. Clare learned most of her behaviour through observational learning and she functions only
by receiving positive reinforcers.
2. John has a realistic self-efficacy perception and neither overestimates nor underestimates
his own abilities.
3. Doreen lives a very satisfactory, fulfilled and happy life of tension reduction, drive
reduction and homeostasis through the effective use of defence mechanisms.
4. Mary demonstrates respect for the standards held by members of her society.

The answer is:

A. John and Mary
B. John
C. John, Doreen and Mary
D. Clare

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 10

With your understanding of optimal development still clear in your mind, one cannot function by
only receiving positive reinforcements, which rules Clare out as an optimally developed person.
Most of the concepts used in statement 3 are foreign to the social cognitive learning framework
and therefore cannot be correct in this case. Optimally functioning individuals do not rely on
defence mechanisms to learn and grow. This then rules out Doreen as an optimally functioning
person. John and Mary can be classified as optimally functioning individuals according to
Bandura’s explanation of the concept of optimal development. Alternative A is therefore the
correct answer.

QUESTIONS ON MASLOW’S THEORY

QUESTION 11

According to Maslow, psychological research should __.

A. study elements of human experiences

B. disregard behaviourist research methods
C. integrate between abstract, objective organisation and experiences.
D. use traditional mechanistic methods to investigate human reality.

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 11

Alternative C is the correct answer. According to Maslow, the key to psychological research is to
study human experiences as a whole and not elements of it. Maslow does not advocate for
dispensing with behaviourist research methods which makes option B incorrect. But he proposes
an integration between abstract, objective organisations and experiences. He also regards
traditional mechanistic research methods as being too limited to investigate human reality.

9
QUESTION 12

Although people are driven by the need to self-actualise and live to their full potential, not all get
to live this reality. What can hamper people from realising their potential is __.

1. Running away from one’s talents and responsibilities.

2. Laziness
3. Lack of integration within the individual in the face of opposing needs
4. Not being aware of one’s need

The correct answer is:

A. 1 and 2
B. 1, 2, 3
C. 1, 3, 4
D. All of the above

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 12

Maslow provides several reasons as to why self-actualisation is not always attained. These
include running away from one’s talents and responsibilities, lack of integration within the
individual in the face of opposing needs and not being aware of one’s needs. Maslow does not
cite laziness as being one of the reasons. Alternative A, C and D are all incorrect because they
list laziness as one of the possible reasons that are cited by Maslow. Therefore, alternative C is
correct.

QUESTION 13

Linda works as a junior contract staff in a private company. He earns enough to support himself
and his family. Although he earns a good salary and can provide for his basic needs, Linda finds
himself anxiously looking for other work opportunities with better work benefits. His boss assured
him that the company would renew his current contract, however, he is still motivated to look for
other employment opportunities. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which of the following
statements best describes Linda’s anxiety?

A. Linda’s physiological needs are met as he can provide for himself and his family.
Therefore, his safety needs become dominant and result in him being preoccupied with job
security.
B. Linda is functioning at the self-esteem level because he is confident that he will find better
employment opportunities.
C. Linda is driven by self-actualisation and hence the need to find better opportunities so that
he can develop his career.
D. A and C are correct.

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 13

Alternative A is correct. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, when a specific set of needs
is gratified, the next set of needs becomes dominant. Linda’s physiological needs are met and
therefore safety needs become dominant. The scenario does not mention other levels of needs
being met; therefore, Linda is not operating at the self-actualisation level.

10
 PYC2601/201

QUESTION 14

Shado is a teenager who lives with his grandmother while his mother works away from home and
provides for the family. He performs well in school and is one of the school’s best athletes.
Although Shado never knew his father, his grandfather was his father figure. However, after his
grandfather’s passing, Shado started to perform badly at school and started hanging around with
the wrong crowd. He recently started missing school and spends time with older guys who are
known to be affiliated with gangs. How would Maslow explain Shado’s behaviour after losing his
grandfather?

A. Shado has regressed to the level of affiliation and love needs since he lost his father figure
and does not know his father.
B. Shado is operating at the safety needs and longs for protection from the gangsters.
C. Shado’s physiological needs are not met therefore he is looking for other ways to provide
for his basic needs.
D. A and C are correct.

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 14

Shado’s physiological needs are met because his mother is working and providing for the family.
However, Shado lost his grandfather who was a father figure to him since he does not know his
father. He is now seeking affection from gang affiliated guys. Prior to his grandfather’s passing,
Shado was functioning from the esteem needs, however, has now regressed to affiliation and
love needs. Therefore, alternative A is correct.

QUESTION 15

Which of the following constructs are NOT associated with Maslow’s views concerning the nature
of human beings?

A. Self-actualisation
B. Pessimism
C. Holism
D. Need gratification.

FEEDBACK ON QUESTION 15

Maslow’s view of the person is essentially optimistic and not pessimistic. Maslow acknowledges
the positive aspects of human nature rather than focusing on the negative or worst aspects. In
his view, the tendency to self-actualise is the motive for all behaviour. Maslow views the individual
as a holistic person. Since the question required you to identify a construct that is NOT associated
with Maslow’s view this makes alternative B correct.

END OF ASSIGNMENT 01

CONCLUSION

Now that you have read through this tutorial letter containing hints on answering multiple-choice
questions and feedback on the questions in Assignment 01, we hope that you feel more confident
to tackle the multiple-choice questions in the examination. We also hope that the feedback we
have provided has clarified the theories for you. We wish you everything of the best.

YOUR LECTURERS FOR PERSONALITY THEORIES

11