Families Today

Chapter 17: A Closer Look at You

Check Your Answers: Section Review Answer Keys

Section 17.1 Your Personality

1. Personality is shown by a person's qualities and behaviors and by the way a person interacts with others.
2. fear, surprise, sadness, disgust, anger, anticipation, joy, and acceptance

Practice Academic Skills

3. The word personality came from the Latin word personalis, which was based on the word persona for person. Personality can be defined as "The totality of qualities and traits, as of character or behavior, that are peculiar to a specific person." Synonyms will vary but could include character, disposition, make up, nature, individuality, identity, psyche, selfhood.
4. Answers will vary but should show students' understanding of the behaviors of an introvert and an extrovert and what might help change those personalities.

Section 17.2 Develop a Positive Attitude

1. The more serotonin there is in the brain, the more positive attitudes seem to be. Lower levels of serotonin tend to lead to less-positive attitudes.
2. The needs for identity, belonging, security and purpose.
3. Recognize your weaknesses as well as your strengths; learn from your mistakes; set goals and reward yourself when you reach them; compare yourself to yourself, not to others; measure progress from where you were, not by where you are.

Practice Academic Skills

4. Answers will vary. The advice column should show that if you focus on what you have you will feel grateful and satisfied; if you focus what you do not have, you will feel cheated and always want more.
5. Student answers will vary but should show an understanding of the things an individual can do to build a positive attitude.