Psyc310 Homework

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Psychology 310 - Homework #1

Due January 13

Student #:

 

(1)  Which topic listed in chapters 1-18 in the textbook’s table of contents interests you the most and why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)  If you were to submit this homework assignment by slipping it under or taping it to my office door at noon on January 13, how many points would you receive? (You can figure this out by reading the grading section of the syllabus.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework 2

Due January 18

Student #:

For each trait below, please circle a number to indicate how typical that trait is of you.

 

Extremely atypical

Very atypical

Somewhat atypical

Somewhat typical

Very typical

Extremely typical

1.      Extraverted

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

2.      Cautious

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

3.      Active

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

4.      Quiet

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

5.      Enthusiastic

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

6.      Retiring

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

7.      Talkative

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

8.      Reserved

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

9.      Sociable

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

10.  Shy

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

 

Scoring:

Total of your ratings on the odd numbered items =

Total of your ratings on the even numbered items =

Scale Average = (odd total – even total) / 10 =

(Also note the scale average somewhere in your class notes, because we may refer to it later on.)

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #3

Due January 20

Student #:

 

Think of a research question relevant to personality psychology (perhaps, for example, something related to a topic you mentioned on Homework #1). What specifically is the question?

 

 

Who would you study and why?

 

 

What are the variables of interest and how might you measure or manipulate them?

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #4

Due January 25

 

If you missed class, you can obtain the materials needed to complete this homework assignment on the "course content" page of the course Blackboard site.

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #5

Due January 30

Student #:

 

Some people are careless or inattentive when they are completing a personality measure. One common method for detecting careless responding is to incorporate an infrequency scale into the measure. An infrequency scale contains items that most or all people would answer in a particular way; thus, people who keep giving atypical answers are probably not reading or responding carefully. In the space below, design a 5-item “infrequency scale.” Assume that the measurement scale goes from 0 = “I have never performed this act” to 10 = “I frequently perform this act.”

 

1.      ___________________________________________________________________________

 

2.      ___________________________________________________________________________

 

3.      ___________________________________________________________________________

 

4.      ___________________________________________________________________________

 

5.      ___________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #6

Due February 1

Student #:

For each trait below, please circle a number to indicate how typical that trait is of you.

 

Extremely atypical

Very atypical

Somewhat atypical

Somewhat typical

Very typical

Extremely typical

1.      Extraverted

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

2.      Cautious

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

3.      Active

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

4.      Quiet

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

5.      Enthusiastic

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

6.      Retiring

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

7.      Talkative

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

8.      Reserved

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

9.      Sociable

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

10.  Shy

-3

-2

-1

+1

+2

+3

 

Scoring:

Total of your ratings on the odd numbered items =

Total of your ratings on the even numbered items =

Scale Average = (odd total – even total) / 10 =

 

Is your score the same or different than score you obtained when you took this same test for Homework #2?

 

Why do you think your score changed or did not change?

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #7

Due February 3

Student #:

 

  

In the spaces provided below, write down three hobbies or activities you enjoyed when you were in junior high school.

 

1.      ___________________________________________________________________________

 

2.      ___________________________________________________________________________

 

3.      ___________________________________________________________________________

 

 

In the spaces provided below, write down three hobbies or activities you enjoy in your current life.

 

1.      ___________________________________________________________________________

 

2.      ___________________________________________________________________________

 

3.      ___________________________________________________________________________

 

 

In the space below, please reflect on (a) whether there are consistencies in the specific activities you enjoyed in junior high school and now, and (b) whether there consistencies in the personality traits that might underlie or be expressed in your preferred activities (even if those specific activities have changed). Such consistencies would be evidence of personality stability and coherence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #8

Due February 6

Student #:

 

(1)   What percentage of your personality do you think is due to your genes and what percentage do you think is due to your environment?  Genes ______%       Environment ______%

 

(2)   If your environment has had an influence, what aspects of that environment have exerted the most influence?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Psychology 310 - Homework #9

Due February 8

 

Student #:

 

(1)   Pick one of the five factor model traits and write it in here: _______________________ .

 

      (2)   Shared Environmental Variables

Below, write down three environmental variables that you shared in common with your siblings while you were growing up (if you are an only child, write down three things that would have been shared if you had siblings) and that might have influenced the degree to which you show this trait.

 

1.      _________________________________________________________________________

 

2.      _________________________________________________________________________

 

3.      _________________________________________________________________________

 

      (3)   Nonshared Environmental Variables

Below, write down three environmental variables that you did not share in common with any of your siblings while you were growing up (if you are an only child, write down three things that presumably would not have been shared if you had siblings) and that might have influenced the degree to which you show this trait.

 

1.      _________________________________________________________________________

 

2.      _________________________________________________________________________

 

3.      _________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #10

Due February 10

Student #:

Sensation-Seeking Scale

 

For each item, circle the choice, A or B, that best describes your likes or dislikes or the way you feel.

 

1.

A.

I would like a job that requires a lot of traveling.

 

B.

I would prefer a job in one location.

 

 

 

2.

A.

I am invigorated by a brisk, cold day.

 

B.

I can't wait to get indoors on a cold day.

 

 

 

3.

A.

I get bored seeing the same old faces.

 

B.

I like the comfortable familiarity of everyday friends.

 

 

 

4.

A.

I would prefer living in an ideal society in which everyone is safe, secure, and happy.

 

B.

I would have preferred living in the unsettled days of our history.

 

 

 

5.

A.

I sometimes like to do things that are a little frightening.

 

B.

A sensible person avoids activities that are dangerous.

 

 

 

6.

A.

I would not like to be hypnotized.

 

B.

I would like to have the experience of being hypnotized.

 

 

 

7.

A.

The most important goal of life is to live it to the fullest and experience as much as possible.

 

B.

The most important goal of life is to find peace and happiness.

 

 

 

8.

A.

I would like to try parachute jumping.

 

B.

I would never want to try jumping out of a plane, with or without a parachute.

 

 

 

9.

A.

I enter cold water gradually, giving myself time to get used to it.

 

B.

I like to dive or jump right into the ocean or a cold pool.

 

 

 

10.

A.

When I go on a vacation, I prefer the comfort of a good room and bed.

 

B.

When I go on a vacation, I prefer the change of camping out.

 

 

 

11.

A.

I prefer people who are emotionally expressive even if they are a bit unstable.

 

B.

I prefer people who are calm and even-tempered.

 

 

 

12.

A.

A good painting should shock or jolt the senses.

 

B.

A good painting should give one a feeling of peace and security.

 

 

 

13.

A.

People who ride motorcycles must have some kind of unconscious need to hurt themselves.

 

B.

I would like to drive or ride a motorcycle.

 

 

 

 

 

Scoring

Add one point for each of the following items that you circled:

1A, 2A, 3A, 4B, 5A, 6B, 7A, 8A, 9B, 10B, 11A, 12A, 13B

 

 

 

Psychology 310 Homework #11

Due February 13

Student #:

BIS/BAS scales

 

For each item, indicate how much you agree or disagree with what the item says. Respond to each item as if it were the only item. That is, don't worry about being "consistent" in your responses.  Choose from the following four response options:

 

  -2 = very false for me

  -1 = somewhat false for me

  +1 = somewhat true for me

  +2 = very true for me

 

 

1. A person's family is the most important thing in life

      2. Even if something bad is about to happen to me, I rarely experience fear or nervousness.

3. I go out of my way to get things I want.

4. When I'm doing well at something I love to keep at it.

5. I'm always willing to try something new if I think it will be fun.

6. How I dress is important to me.

7.  When I get something I want, I feel excited and energized.

8.  Criticism or scolding hurts me quite a bit.

9.  When I want something I usually go all-out to get it.

10. I will often do things for no other reason than that they might be fun.

11. It's hard for me to find the time to do things such as get a haircut.

12. If I see a chance to get something I want I move on it right away.

13. I feel pretty worried or upset when I think or know somebody is angry at me.

14. When I see an opportunity for something I like I get excited right away.

15. I often act on the spur of the moment.

16. If I think something unpleasant is going to happen I usually get pretty "worked up."

17. I often wonder why people act the way they do.

18. When good things happen to me, it affects me strongly.

19. I feel worried when I think I have done poorly at something important.

20. I crave excitement and new sensations.

21. When I go after something I use a "no holds barred" approach.

22. I have very few fears compared to my friends.

23. It would excite me to win a contest.

24. I worry about making mistakes.

 

Scoring

Items 2 & 22 are reverse-scored. For these items, change +2 to -2, +1 to -1, -1 to +1, and -2 to +2.

BAS = (Items 3 + 4 + 5 + 7 + 9 + 10 + 12 + 14 + 15 + 18 + 20 + 21 + 23) / 13

BIS = (2 + 8 + 13 + 16 + 19 + 22 + 24) / 7

Items 1, 6, 11, 17 are “fillers”.

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #12

Due February 17

Student #:

 

Please think of a serious or committed romantic relationship that you have had in the past, that you are currently having, or that you would like to have. Imagine that you discover that the person with whom you’ve been seriously involved became interested in someone else. For each question, please circle only one answer, (A) or (B).

 

1.       Which would upset or distress you more?   

 

(A)   Imagining your partner enjoying passionate sexual intercourse with that other person.

(B)    Imagining your partner forming a deep emotional attachment to that other person.

 

2.       Which would upset or distress you more?

 

(A)   Imagining your partner trying different sexual positions with that other person.

(B)    Imagining your partner falling in love with that other person.

 

3.       Which action would be more difficult for you to forgive?

 

(A)   Your partner has passionate sexual intercourse with that other person.

(B)   Your partner becomes deeply emotionally attached to that other person.

 

4.       For which action would you be more likely to break-up with your partner?

 

(A)   Your partner has passionate sexual intercourse with that other person.

(B)   Your partner becomes deeply emotionally attached to that other person.

 

5.       Which aspect of your partner’s involvement would be more difficult for you to forgive?

 

(A)   Your partner’s sexual intercourse with that other person.

(B)   Your partner’s emotional attachment to that other person.

 

6.       Which aspect of your partner’s involvement would be more likely to lead you to break-up with your partner?

 

(A)   Your partner’s sexual intercourse with that other person.

(B)   Your partner’s emotional attachment to that other person.

 

 

Your Gender (circle one):  Male  /  Female

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 - Homework # 13

Due February 27

Student #:

 

Psychoanalytic theory emphasizes the role of the first 5 years of life in shaping personality dynamics.

Do you think experiences or circumstances in your early childhood have had a significant and continuing influence on your personality dynamics? If so, give an example.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you think Sigmund Freud might be skeptical about what you just wrote? Why or why not?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology of Personality – Homework #14

Due March 2

 

Give an example of a time when you believe that you or someone else employed one of the defense mechanisms that we talked about in class (or that is mentioned in the textbook).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 - Homework #15

Due March 7

Student #

Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status – Revised

Indicate how well each statement reflects your own thoughts and feelings using the scale shown below. If a statement has more than one part, indicate your reaction to the statement as a whole. (Note: The actual test contains 64 items. The parentheses after the items are not shown in the real test; they show which scale the item is from and will help us understand the scale.)

 

-3

-2

-1

1

2

3

strongly disagree

moderately disagree

disagree

agree

moderately agree

strongly agree

 

1.       My own views on a desirable lifestyle were taught to me by my parents and I don’t see any need to question what they taught me.  (Phil. L S/Foreclosure)

 

2.       My ideas about men’s and women’s roles are identical to my parents’.  What has worked for them will obviously work for me.  (Sex Role/Foreclosure)

 

3.       I might have thought about a lot of different jobs, but there’s never really any question since my parents said what they wanted.  (Occupational/Foreclosure)

 

4.       My parents know what’s best for me in terms of how to choose my friends.  (Friendship/Foreclosure)

 

5.       I guess I’m pretty much like my folks when it comes to politics.  I follow what they do in terms of voting and such.  (Politics/Foreclosure)

 

6.       I’ve always liked doing the same recreational activities my parents do and haven’t ever seriously considered anything else. (Recreation/Foreclosure)

 

7.       I only go out with the type of people my parents expect me to date.  (Dating/Foreclosure)

 

8.       I don’t have any real friends, and I don’t think I’m looking for one right now.  (Friendship/Diffusion)

 

9.       I haven’t chosen the occupation I really want to get into, and I’m just working at whatever is available until something better comes along (Occupation/Diffusion)

 

10.    I don’t give religion much thought and it doesn’t bother me one way or the other.  (Religion/Diffusion)

 

11.    There's no single “life style” which appeals to me more than another.  (Phil. L S/Diffusion)

 

12.    I’ve never really seriously considered men’s and women’s roles in marriage.  It just doesn’t seem to concern me.  (Sex Role/Diffusion)

 

13.    I haven’t really considered politics.  It just doesn’t excite me much. (Politics/Diffusion)

 

14.    I don’t think about dating much.  I just kind of take it as it comes.  (Dating/Diffusion)

 

15.    There’s so many ways to divide responsibilities in marriage, I’m trying to decide what will work for me.  (Sex Roles/Moratorium)

 

16.    While I don’t have one recreational activity I’m really committed to, I’m experiencing numerous leisure outlets to identify one I can really get involved in.  (Recreational/Moratorium).

 

17.    I’m trying out different types of dating relationships.  I just haven’t decided what is best for me.  (Dating/Moratorium)

 

18.    There are a lot of different kinds of people.  I’m still exploring the many possibilities to find the right kind of friends for me.  (Friendship/Moratorium)

 

19.    I’m not sure about my political beliefs, but I’m trying to figure out what I can truly believe in.  (Politics/Moratorium)

 

20.    Religion is confusing to me right now.  I keep changing my views on what is right and wrong for me.  (Religion/Moratorium)

 

21.    I’m still trying to decide how capable I am as a person and what jobs will be right for me.  (Occupation/Moratorium)

 

22.    I’ve spent some time thinking about men’s and women’s roles in marriage and I’ve decided what will work best for me.  (Sex Roles/Achievement)

 

23.    I’ve thought my political beliefs through and realize I can agree with some and not other aspects of what my parents believe.  (Politics/Achievement)

 

24.    I’ve tried many different friendships and now I have a clear idea of what I look for in a friend.  (Friendship/Achievement)

 

25.    After trying a lot of different recreational activities I’ve found one or more I really enjoy doing by myself or with friends.  (Recreation/Achievement)

 

26.    It took me a while to figure it out, but now I really know what I want for a career.  (Occupation/Achievement)

 

27.    After considerable thought I’ve developed my own individual viewpoint of what is for me an ideal “lifestyle” and don’t believe anyone will be likely to change my perspective.  (Phil. L S/Achievement)

 

28.    I’ve gone through a period of serious questions about faith and can now say I understand what I believe in as an individual.  (Religion/Achievement)

 

 

 

Psychology 310 - Homework # 16

Due March 9

Student #:

 

Indicate how much you agree or disagree with each item. Please be as accurate as you can be, and try not to let your answer to any one item influence your answer to any other item. Choose from these response options:

 

 1 = I disagree with the statement a lot

 2 = I disagree with the statement a little

 3 = I agree with the statement a little

 4 = I agree with the statement a lot

 

1.    When I'm close to someone, it gives me a sense of comfort about life in general.

2.    I often worry that my partner doesn't really love me.

3.    I have trouble getting others to be as close as I want them to be.

4.    I find it easy to be close to others.

5.    I often worry my partner will not want to stay with me.

6.    Others want me to be more intimate than I feel comfortable being.

7.    It feels relaxing and good to be close to someone.

8.    I am very comfortable being close to others.

9.    I don't worry about others abandoning me.

10.  My desire to merge sometimes scares people away.

11.  I prefer not to be too close to others.

12.  I find others are reluctant to get as close as I would like.

13.  I get uncomfortable when someone wants to be very close.

14.  Being close to someone gives me a source of strength for other activities.

 

Scoring & Feedback

 

This test is the Measure of Attachment Qualities (MAQ), a measure of adult attachment patterns.  It has a scale to assess secure attachment tendencies, a scale to assess avoidant tendencies, and two scales reflecting aspects of the anxious-ambivalent pattern.

 

Items 4, 8, and 9 are reverse coded (change 1 to 4, 2 to 3, 3 to 2, and 4 to 1).

 

Security = (Items 1 + 7 + 14) / 3.

Avoidance = (Items 4 + 6 + 8 + 11 + 13) / 5.

Ambivalence-worry = (Items 2 + 5 + 9) / 3.

Ambivalence-merger = (Items 3 + 10 + 12) / 3. 

 

Scale scores above the midpoint (2.5) suggest you tend to agree more than disagree with the items on that scale. Scale scores below the midpoint (2.5) suggest you tend to disagree more than agree with those statements. Note that this test was designed to be used for research and not for categorizing or labeling any individual respondent, including you. Reference: Carver, C. S. (1997). Adult attachment and personality: Converging evidence & a new measure. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 23, 865-883.

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework 17

Due March 19

 

Student #:

 

Please look at the picture below for 15-30 seconds. Then on the back of this sheet spend about 4 minutes writing a story about what is happening in the picture. Write any kind of story you want. Consider addressing the following questions: Who are the people? What happened before… how did the story begin? What are the people thinking about and how do they feel? What will happen… how will the story end?

 

 

Psychology 310 - Homework 18

Due March 21

Student #:

 

Empirical research indicates that people who are high in need for achievement prefer activities or endeavors (a) that provide some, but not too much, challenge; (2) where they are personally responsible for the outcome; and (3) when feedback on their performance is available. Based on these results, provide 3 examples of activities or endeavors that are likely to be preferred by people who are high (compared to those who are low) in need for achievement.

 

 

1.       ___________________________________________________________________________

 

 

2.       ___________________________________________________________________________

 

 

3.       ___________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 - Homework #19

Due March 26

Student #:

 

The "Johari Window" is an exercise that is used in humanistic therapy groups. But on your own try to fill in the four “window panes” below by writing down: What about you is transparent to both yourself and others? What about you is known to you but not others? What types of aspects of yourself could you imagine might be hidden from yourself but not others or hidden from both you and others?

 

 

Transparent to Yourself

Hidden from Yourself

 

Transparent

 

to

 

Others

 

 

 

 

 

Hidden

 

from

 

Others

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology of Personality – Homework #20

Due March 28

Student #:

 

Think of 5 people you know and write their initials inside the 5 spaces marked Person A, Person B, etc… Try to pick a diverse group of people (older, younger, liked, disliked, relatives, peers, and so on). In each row, three of the columns (people) are blank. Your job is to compare those three people and think of one way two of them differ from the third one. For example, the first triad of people is Me, Person A, and Person B. If for me Person A is "mom" and Person B is "best friend", I might think: "my friend and I are male and my mom is female". If so, I would write male in the "how are the two similar?" column and write female in the "How is the third different" column. Do this for each of the six triads of people.

 

TRIAD #

Me

Person A

Person B

Person C

Person D

Person E

How are the two similar?

How is the third different?

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since some students find this exercise confusing, the following example might help…

TRIAD #

Me

Person A

G.M.

Person B

E.F.

Person C

M.D.

Person D

R.L.

Person E

F.L.

How are the two similar?

How is the third different?

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lutheran

Jewish

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

American

European

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working

Retired

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psychologist

Statistician

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Female

Male

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Self-Deprecating

Self-Aggrandizing

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #21

Due March 30

Student #:

Internal–External Locus of Control Scale

 

For each of the following pairs of statements, circle the one (“a” or “b”) you believe more strongly.

 

I more strongly believe that:

 

a)    Making a lot of money is largely a matter of getting the right breaks

b)    Promotions are earned through hard work and persistence

 

a)    Many times the reactions of teachers seem haphazard to me

b)    In my experience I have noticed that there is usually a direct connection between how hard I study and the grades I get

 

a)    Marriage is largely a gamble

b)    The number of divorces indicates that more and more people are not trying to make their marriages work

 

a)    As far as world affairs are concerned, most of us are the victims of forces we can neither understand, nor control

b)    By taking an active part in political and social affairs the people can control world events

 

a)    This world is run by the few people in power, and there is not much the little guy can do about it

b)    The average citizen can have an influence in government decisions

 

a)    A great deal that happens to me is probably a matter of chance

b)    I am master of my fate

 

a)    It is almost impossible to figure out how to please some people

b)    Getting along with people is a skill that must be practiced

 

a)    Most people don't realize the extent to which their lives are controlled by accidental happenings.

b)    There really is no such thing as "luck"

 

a)    Many of the unhappy things in people's lives are partly due to bad luck

b)    People's misfortunes result from the mistakes they make

 

a)    Many times exam questions tend to be so unrelated to course work that studying in really useless

b)    In the case of the well prepared student there is rarely if ever such a thing as an unfair test

 

Scoring:

Add 1 point for each “a” response. If your score is greater than 6, then you endorsed more “External” items than “Internal” items. If your score is less 5, then you endorsed more “Internal” items than “External” items.

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #22

Due April 2

Student #:

 

Our beliefs about the relationship between money and happiness can powerfully shape our life decisions. What do you believe is the relationship between income or wealth and happiness or life satisfaction?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #23

Due April 4

 

The following events refer to emotional reactions to typical life events. Please indicate how YOU react to these events by placing a number from the following scale in the blank space preceding each item. Please base your answers on how YOU, react, not on how you think others react or how you think a person should react.

 

Never

Almost Never

Occasionally

Usually

Almost Always

Always

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. ____ When I accomplish something difficult I feel delighted or elated.

2. ____ When I solve a small personal problem, I feel euphoric.

3. ____ My emotions tend to be more intense than those of most people.

4. ____ My happy moods are so strong that I feel like I'm "in heaven."

5. ____ My heart races at the anticipation of some exciting event.

6. ____ Sad movies deeply touch me.

7. ____ When I talk in front of a group for the first time my voice gets shaky and my heart races.

8. ____ When something good happens, I am usually much more jubilant than others.

9. ____ My friends might say I'm emotional.

10. ____ When I do feel anxiety it is normally very strong.

11. ____ When I'm happy I feel like I'm bursting with joy.

12. ____ The sight of someone who is hurt badly affects me strongly.

13. ____ When I'm happy I feel very energetic.

14. ____ When I do something wrong I have strong feelings of shame and guilt.

15. ____ When I'm happy I bubble over with energy.

16. ____ When I am nervous I get shaky all over.

 

NOTE:  These are items from Larsen’s (1984) Affect Intensity Measure (AIM), which is designed to quickly asses a person’s emotional style in terms of intensity. The typical college student scores about 4. Higher scores reflect relatively high affect intensity, whereas lower scores reflect relatively low affect intensity.

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #24

Due April 6

Student #:

                            

·         Your “SHOULD self”  are qualities that you think you ought to possess; the type of person you have a duty, obligation, or responsibility to be; the qualities you are morally obligated to possess

·         Your “IDEAL self” are qualities that you would IDEALLY like to possess; the type of person you wish, desire, or hope to be

 

Example of how the ideal and should selves are different:  I may hope to be famous someday, being famous may be a goal I have for myself, but I do not think I have a duty or a moral obligation to be famous.  So, famous would be a word that describes the type of person I ideally want to be, but it is not a word that describes the type of person I think I should be.

 

Please list the attributes of the type of person you would IDEALLY like to be; who you wish, desire, or hope to be.

Ideal 1.                                                                                                                                                

Ideal 2.                                                                                                                                                

Ideal 3.                                                                                                                                                

Ideal 4.                                                                                                                                                

 

Please list the attributes of the type of person you believe you SHOULD or OUGHT to be; the traits you believe you are morally obligated to possess.

Should 1.                                                                                                                                                            

Should 2.                                                                                                                                            

Should 3.                                                                                                                                            

Should 4.                                                                                                                                            

 

After you have listed an attribute in each of the 8 blanks above, in the boxes next to the left of each one indicate how well each of those attributes describes who you are now on a scale from -5 (not at all like who I am now) to +5 (exactly like who I am now).

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 - Homework #25

Due April 11

Student #

 

Instructions: Please evaluate the following factors in choosing a mate or marriage partner. If you consider it:

 

                indispensable, give it . . .  . . .  . . .  . . .  . . .  . . .  . . .      3 points

                important, but not indispensable . . .  . . .  . . .  . . …         2 points

                desirable, but not very important . . .  . . .  . . .  . . . ..        1 point

                irrelevant or unimportant . . .  . . .  . . .  . . .  . . .  . . .         0 points

 

___ 1. Good cook and housekeeper                                    ___ 10. Desire for home and children

___ 2. Pleasing disposition                                                 ___ 11. Favorable social status

___ 3. Sociability                                                               ___ 12. Good looks

___ 4. Similar educational background                                 ___ 13. Similar religious background

___ 5. Refinement, neatness                                               ___ 14. Ambition and industriousness

___ 6. Good financial prospect                                             ___ 15. Similar political background

___ 7. Chastity (no prior intercourse)                                    ___ 16. Mutual attraction—love

___ 8. Dependable character                                               ___ 17. Good health

___ 9. Emotional stability                                                    ___ 18. Education and intelligence

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #26

Due April 13

Student #:

 

Each statement below represents a commonly held opinion. Read each statement carefully, decide how much you agree or disagree, and then circle the appropriate number. There are no right or wrong answers; just go with your first impression.

 

Strongly                                    Strongly

Disagree                                       Agree

1.          Never tell anyone the real reason you did something unless it is useful to do so.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

2.          The best way to handle people is to tell them what they want to hear.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

3.          One should take action only when sure it is morally right.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

4.          Most people are basically good and kind.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

5.          It is safest to assume that all people have a vicious streak and it will come out when they are given a chance.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

6.          Honesty is the best policy in all cases.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

7.          There is no excuse for lying to someone else.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

8.          Generally speaking, people won’t work hard unless they’re forced to do so.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

9.          All in all, it is better to be humble and honest than to be important and dishonest.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

10.      When you ask someone to do something for you, it is best to give the real reasons for wanting it rather than giving the reasons which might carry more weight.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

11.      Most people who get ahead in the world lead clean, moral lives.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

12.      Anyone who completely trusts anyone else is asking for trouble.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

13.      The biggest difference between most criminals and other people is that criminals are stupid enough to get caught.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

14.      Most people are brave.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

15.      It is wise to flatter important people.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

16.      It is possible to be good in all respects.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

17.      Barnum was wrong when he said that there’s a sucker born every minute.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

18.      It is hard to get ahead without cutting corners here and there.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

19.      People suffering from incurable diseases should have the choice of being put painlessly to death.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

20.      Most people forget more easily the death of their father than the loss of their property.

   -3      -2       -1       +1        +2      +3

 

To score this scale (the MACH IV), reverse score your answers to questions 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16, and 17 (i.e., flip the negative and positive signs) and then average your responses. An average of 2 or greater is considered high. We’ll discuss what the scale measures in class.

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 - Homework #27

Due April 16

Student #

 

Research on sex differences has been controversial (among the public as well as in academia). Why do you think that is?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Describe your own perspective on sex differences (including whether they should be studied, and why or why not).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 - Homework #28

Due April 20

Student #

 

What features of personality appear to be universal, or present in most or all human cultures? These universals constitute the human nature level of analyzing personality.  For example, people in all cultures studied to date avoid and condemn brother-sister incest. In the spaces below, write 5 behavioral, attitudinal, or emotional dispositions you think might be human universals.

 

1.       ___________________________________________________________________________

 

2.       ___________________________________________________________________________

 

3.       ___________________________________________________________________________

 

4.       ___________________________________________________________________________

 

5.       ___________________________________________________________________________

 

Why might these behaviors, attitudes, or emotions be universal?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 - Homework #29

Due April 23

Student #

 

In this exercise, there are 10 statements starting with “I am . . .” Please complete all 10 statements, in answer to the question, “Who are you?”

 

1.       I am…______________________________________________________________________

 

2.       I am…______________________________________________________________________

 

3.       I am…______________________________________________________________________

 

4.       I am…______________________________________________________________________

 

5.       I am…______________________________________________________________________

 

6.       I am…______________________________________________________________________

 

7.       I am…______________________________________________________________________

 

8.       I am…______________________________________________________________________

 

9.       I am…______________________________________________________________________

 

10.     I am…______________________________________________________________________

 

(Some of the more influential work on cultural differences in self-concept uses the Twenty Statements Test or TST, which is just a 20-line version of this homework assignment.  We will discuss this work in class.)

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #30

Due April 25

Student #:

 

Classic research by Holmes and Rahe (1967) identified stressful events in people’s lives that contributed to illness if not coped with properly. The following is a modified, abbreviated version of Holmes and Rahe’s measure.

Please check the events listed below that you have experienced in the past year.

 

___ 1. Beginning or ceasing of formal schooling

___ 2. Change in residence

___ 3. Outstanding personal achievement

___ 4. Death of a close family member

___ 5. Major change in sleeping habits

___ 6. Sexual difficulties

___ 7. Major personal injury or illness

___ 8. Marriage

___ 9. Death of a close friend

___ 10. Major change in financial state

 

People who experience a greater number of daily hassles are also at greater risk for health problems than are people who experience fewer daily hassles. The following list includes common daily hassles.

Please check the events listed below that are significant sources of stress for you on a daily basis.

 

___ 1. Concerns about weight

___ 2. Health of a family member

___ 3. Prices of common goods

___ 4. Home maintenance

___ 5. Too many things to do

___ 6. Misplacing or losing things

___ 7. Too many interruptions

___ 8. Social rejection

___ 9. Crime

___ 10. Physical appearance

 

Whew, just reading these lists of stressors makes me feel overwhelmed! But one way to cope with stress is to take time to savor life’s positive moments. So, in the space below, please describe something pleasant or humorous that you experienced recently.

 

 

 

 

 

Psychology 310 – Homework #31

Due April 30

Student #:

 

For each of the following pairs of attitudes, choose the one that you MOST AGREE with. Mark your answer by circling EITHER A or B. 

 

 

1.

A

I like having authority over other people.

 

B

I don’t mind following orders.

2.

A

When people compliment me I get embarrassed.

 

B

I know that I am a good person because everybody keeps telling me so.

3.

A

I find it easy to manipulate people.

 

B

I don’t like it when I find myself manipulating people.

4.

A

I prefer to blend in with the crowd.

 

B

I like to be the center of attention.