The Big 5 Personality Traits
This trait measures how organized, disciplined, and responsible a person is.
Conscientiousness
According to Freud, this is the largest, most hidden part of the mind containing repressed desires and memories.
unconscious
This theory, proposed by Clark Hull, suggests we are motivated to reduce internal tension caused by unmet biological needs to maintain a balanced internal state.
Drive Reduction Theory
This is the body's tendency to maintain a balanced, stable internal state.
homeostasis
Checking your phone, drinking coffee, and talking to a friend are examples of this.
behaviors
A person who is anxious, moody, and prone to stress would score high in this trait.
Neuroticism
This part of personality, operating on the reality principle, tries to balance the demands of the id and the superego
ego
According to the Yerkes-Dodson Law, performance is worst when arousal is either too low or too high, and best when arousal is at this level.
moderate
This term describes a physiological state of alertness influenced by environment or needs.
arousal
According to Arousal Theory, this is what you might seek when bored and what you might crave when stressed.
excitement (when bored) and calm/relaxation (when stressed)
This trait includes facets like curiosity, imagination, and a preference for variety over routine.
Openness
After being rejected from a team, a student says, "The coach is just jealous of my natural talent." Which ego defense mechanism is being used?
projection
A student spends hours researching a topic for a class presentation, not for the grade, but because they find the topic genuinely fascinating. This is an example of which type of motivation?
intrinsic motivation
This Freudian concept includes thoughts and feelings we are actively aware of right now.
the conscious mind
A student wants to get 100% on a test for personal satisfaction. This type of motivation is called this.
intrinsic motivation
Based on the profile provided (High Openness, Low Conscientiousness, High Extraversion, Moderate Agreeableness, Low Neuroticism), suggest one suitable and one unsuitable career for this person, and briefly explain why using the trait definitions.
Suitable: Event Planner, Sales Representative, Journalist. (Reasons: High Extraversion helps with social interaction, High Openness fuels creativity and adaptability, Low Neuroticism helps handle the stress).
Unsuitable: Accountant, Data Analyst, Air Traffic Controller. (Reasons: Low Conscientiousness makes detailed, repetitive, and highly organized work a significant challenge).
A student is feeling immense stress about an upcoming exam. Instead of studying, they spend the afternoon building an elaborate fort out of blankets in their living room. Which two ego defense mechanisms could explain this behavior, and what is the key difference between them in this context?
This could be Regression or Sublimation
Regression would mean the student is reverting to a childlike, comfort-seeking behavior (building a fort) to cope with the overwhelming stress of the exam, directly escaping the anxiety.
Sublimation would mean the student is unconsciously channeling the anxiety about the exam into a creative and constructive (though not directly related) activity, transforming the negative energy into something positive.
Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory states that three basic psychological needs must be met for intrinsic motivation to flourish. Name all three needs and give a brief classroom example of how a teacher could satisfy each one.
The three needs are Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness.
Autonomy Example: Allowing students to choose their own essay topic from a list, or which book to read for a book report.
Competence Example: Providing specific, positive feedback on a student's work that highlights their skills and offering manageable challenges that help them experience success.
Relatedness Example: Creating opportunities for group work and collaboration where students feel connected to and supported by their peers.
According to Freud, these help the mind handle stress by changing how we see situations without us realizing it. Name two examples.
ego defense mechanisms? (Accept any two: projection, reaction formation, regression, sublimation)
A teenager feels jealous of a friend's success but acts overly supportive and enthusiastic. Name the defense mechanism and explain why they are doing this.
reaction formation. They are behaving opposite to their true feelings (jealousy) to mask or hide the unacceptable emotion.
A hospice nurse needs high agreeableness and low neuroticism. A corporate lawyer needs high conscientiousness and low agreeableness. Explain why these traits are essential for each role.
Nurse: High agreeableness enables compassion with patients; low neuroticism provides emotional stability in constant grief.
Lawyer: High conscientiousness ensures meticulous case preparation; low agreeableness enables competitive assertiveness in arguments.
A student decides whether to cheat on an exam. Explain the conflict between id, ego, and superego in this moment.
Id demands: "Cheat now—avoid failure!" Superego demands: "Follow morals—cheating is wrong!" Ego mediates by finding a realistic solution satisfying both, like: "Let's study harder instead."
A student chooses a university course. Compare how Drive Reduction, Self-Determination, and Arousal theories would explain their motivation.
Drive Reduction: Student chooses based on need for future job security (reducing financial fear). Self-Determination: Student chooses course providing autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Arousal: Student chooses stimulating environment matching their optimal arousal level.
This law states that performance peaks at moderate arousal levels, forming an inverted-U curve.
Yerkes-Dodson Law
A person with aggressive tendencies joins a boxing club. A person with romantic frustration writes poetry. Both are using the same defense mechanism. Name it and explain the psychological benefit.
sublimation.
It benefits the individual by redirecting unacceptable impulses (aggression, frustration) into socially acceptable and constructive activities, reducing anxiety while producing positive outcomes.