Spring 2010 Personality Topics Exam

This is an open-book, open-notes exam. Note: You may not discuss the exam with any classmates or anyone other than me. Inappropriate discussions will result in a “zero” for everyone involved.

Please type your answers (Times New Roman, 12 point font, double-spaced). Spell-check and proof-read. Because the exam is open-book, I expect precise answers. Vague, “mushy,” or “close enough” answers are not acceptable. However, please do just answer the question that is asked; there is no need to embellish your answer with stylistic sentences or excessive extraneous information. In fact, if I think you are very obviously writing down everything from the chapter that comes close to the topic (in hopes of stumbling across the right answer), I may actually take points OFF for such obvious fishing.

NO QUOTES at all are allowed.

Last, be sure to avoid inappropriately paraphrasing from any of the readings. Read the "Inappropriate Paraphrasing" web page.

Please name your file:  yourlastname.doc  And SEND your work via digital dropbox on Blackboard.

Each question is worth 12 points. Number each of your responses. I anticipate your entire exam document will be 10- 14 pages.

1. Identify and explain the three determinants of a person’s level of chronic happiness. And, provide a brief example of how a happiness-increasing strategy can be matched to an individual’s personality.
   
   
2. What does evolutionary psychology say is the purpose of romantic love? How would evolutionary psychology explain "consummate love" (from Sternberg's Triangular theory of love).
   
   
3. Describe one example of empirical evidence that would refute McCrae’s claim that culture doesn’t affect personality.  Then explain McCrae’s explanation of that evidence.
   
   
4. Define and explain the categorical and dimensional approaches to understanding personality disorders. What are the major differences between these two models?
   
   
5. What are the three types of studies that the researchers used to observe the effects of happiness on success?  What is the purpose of doing each of these three types of studies?
   
   
6. List and briefly describe the three positive coping mechanisms and give an example of empirical evidence that supports the efficacy of each mechanism.
   
   
7. "Fill in" the diagram below following the instructions provided:
   

Choose one of the following categories: education, legal, business. Then, using the core ideology provided, create an example of how that ideology would lead to personality and behavior. You do not need to create or copy the actual diagram into your exam document. Instead, label each portion of your answer with the numbers indicated in the diagram.