530 CHAPTER 13
Practice Quiz How much do you remember?
Pick the best answer.
- What is a major shortcoming in the field of behavioral genetics in
terms of their studies on human personality traits?
a. Behavioral geneticists are unable to conduct controlled research
studies on human subjects.
b. Behavioral geneticists are unable to scientifically validate any-
thing.
c. Behavioral geneticists are unable to conduct studies on animals,
only on humans.
d. Behavioral geneticists conduct their studies by looking at single
individuals over a long period of time, thus slowing the rate at
which they can gather data. - Which of the following traits or characteristics were NOT found to be
more similar in identical twins when compared to fraternal twins in
the Minnesota twin study?
a. intelligence
b. leadership
c. tendency to divorce
d. empathy
3. What, if anything, have adoption studies taught us regarding the
relationship between heredity and personality?
a. Adoption studies are a new area of study and have yet to offer
any information on the effects of heredity on personality.
b. Adoption studies have confirmed that personality can be strongly
influenced by genetics.
c. Adoption studies have not supported many behavioral genetics
studies, thus questioning the idea that personality can be influ-
enced by genetics.
d. Adoption studies have resulted in conflicting findings, with
some strongly supporting the influence of heredity on per-
sonality while others suggest that heredity has no influence
whatsoever.
4. Several studies have found nearly a _____ percent rate of heri-
tability across several cultures with respect to the five-factor model
of personality.
a. 20 c. 40
b. 30 d. 50
APA Goal 2: Scientific Inquiry and
Critical Thinking
Personality, Family, and Culture
Addresses APA Learning Objective 2.5: Incorporate sociocultural
factors in scientific inquiry.Imagine this: You and your family immigrated to the United States when you were very
young. Your life, as much as you can remember, has been in the United States. You
speak English as your primary language, although your mother and father work hard to
maintain the family’s cultural heritage and still speak their native language at home. Your
mother and father have worked hard to create a safe home, valuing hard work, dedica-
tion, and self-reliance.
Yo u a r e n o w s t a r t i n g c o l l e g e , a n d m o n e y i s t i g h t. A l t h o u g h y o u h a v e s a v e d m o n e y ,
your family has limited resources to assist you with the newfound challenges of paying for
tuition, books, and supplies, all while balancing the demands of home, your part-time job,
and keeping your grades up. In short, times are tough.
Your college has started a food pantry for students in need. Although it took a while,
you decided to stop by to look at the offerings. The pantry has both prepared and fresh
foods, including fruit and vegetables. Although your individual personality acknowledges
that external assistance is sometimes necessary, your father and mother would never visit
the food pantry, much less accept anything from one.
What challenges might this present to your sense of self?
How might you resolve any conflicts?
This Critical Thinking feature was based in part on the experiences of an actual col-
lege student. To learn more about campus food pantries and how some college students
are using them, read or listen to the story on NPR, Campus Food Pantries For Hungry
Students On The Rise, http://n.pr/1R56pSw.