Personality past paper questions

Question 1

Describe introversion and extraversion according to Eysenck’s type theory of
personality.

Four marks

Answer 1

Candidates are asked to describe introversion and extraversion according to
Eysenck’s type theory of personality.
A maximum of 3 marks can be awarded for either introversion or extraversion.
* extraverts look to other people for entertainment (1)
* introverts are content with their own company (1)
* introverts keep their emotions private (1)
* extraverts are dominant/impulsive. (1)
* extraversion/introversion could be linked to reticular activating system (RAS) (1)
* extraverts have lower levels of cortisol/introverts have higher levels of cortisol
which affects behaviour. (1)
Any other valid response.

Question 2

Explain one strength or one weakness of Eysenck’s type theory of personality

Two marks

Answer 2

Candidates are asked to describe introversion and extraversion according to
Eysenck’s type theory of personality.
A maximum of 3 marks can be awarded for either introversion or extraversion.
* extraverts look to other people for entertainment (1)
* introverts are content with their own company (1)
* introverts keep their emotions private (1)
* extraverts are dominant/impulsive. (1)
* extraversion/introversion could be linked to reticular activating system (RAS) (1)
* extraverts have lower levels of cortisol/introverts have higher levels of cortisol
which affects behaviour. (1)
Any other valid response.

Question 3

Explain situational causes of Anti-social Personality Disorder (APD). You may
refer to research evidence to support your answer.

Six marks

Answer 3

Candidates are asked to explain situational causes of Anti-social Personality
Disorder (APD).
* traumatic childhood experiences (1) such as child abuse or neglect (1)
* growing up in a disturbed home (1) such as where one or both parents abuse
alcohol (1)
* having parents who have a criminal background (1) as shown by Farrington who
demonstrated that criminal behaviour in the family/poor parenting/poverty/ can
result in APD(1)
* growing up in a home with parents who have poor parenting skills (1) such as
erratic discipline in the home. (1)
Research evidence may be credited.
Any other valid response.

Question 4

Describe the method/procedure of a research study into the biological causes of
APD.

Three marks

Answer 4

Candidates are asked to describe the method/procedure of a research study into
the biological causes of APD. Candidates must include the name of the
researcher(s)/name of study.
Example:
Name of researcher: Raine (1)
Method/procedure: A laboratory experiment was conducted (1) Magnetic
resonance imaging was used (1) to study 21 men with APD (1) using a volunteer
sample (1). The results were compared with a control group of 34. (1)
Any other valid response.