Allport - Psychology of the Individual

Question 1

Allport: Define personality

Answer 1

Dynamic organization of psychophysical systems that determine behavior and thought.

Question 2

Allport: ____ ____ are the basic units of personality.

Answer 2

Personal dispositions

Question 3

Allport: Name the three levels of personal dispositions.

Answer 3

Cardinal – only a few have this, can’t be hidden
Central – 5 – 10 traits that make ppl unique
Secondary – less distinguishable, more numerous.

Question 4

Allport: Most people do not have a ____ disposition.

Answer 4

Cardinal

Question 5

Allport: ___ dispositions include 5 – 10 individual traits that make a person unique.

Answer 5

Central

Question 6

Allport: ____ dispositions are less distinguishable but more numerous than central dispositions.

Answer 6

Secondary

Question 7

Allport: In contrast to individual traits, ____ traits more useful for comparing groups.

Answer 7

Common traits

Question 8

Allport: Personal dispositions that initiate actions are ____ ____.

Answer 8

Motivational traits

Question 9

Allport: Personal dispositions that guide actions are ___ ___.

Answer 9

Stylistic traits

Question 10

Allport: ___ refers to behaviors and personal dispositions that are warm and central to us and we regard as particularly our own.

Answer 10

Proprium

Question 11

Allport: ___ ___ refers to motives that are self-sustaining and independent from motives originally responsible for a behavior.

Answer 11

Functional autonomy

Question 12

Allport: Name two types of functional autonomy.

Answer 12

Perseverative functional autonomy and

Propriate functional autonomy

Question 13

Allport: Define perseverative functional autonomy.

Answer 13

Functionally autonomous habits and behaviors that are not part of one’s proprium. E.g. addiction.

Question 14

Allport: Define propriate functional autonomy

Answer 14

Self-sustaining habits and behaviors related to one’s proprium – e.g. hobbies close to core on personality.

Question 15

Allport used ___ ____ to study patterns of behavior based on letters and diaries.

Answer 15

Morphogenic procedures

Question 16

Allport: In contrast to personal dispositions, Freud’s units of personality were ___.

Answer 16

Instincts

Question 17

Allport: Define propriate strivings.

Answer 17

Motivation toward goals that are consistent with one’s proprium and are uniquely one’s own.

Question 18

How was Allport was eclectic?

Answer 18

In his acceptance of ideas from many sources

Question 19

Describe Allport’s proactive position.

Answer 19

Emphasized the notion that people have a large measure of conscious control over their lives.

Question 20

Summarize Allport’s Psychology of the Individual

Answer 20

• Each person is unique & has conscious control over their lives (Proactive position).
• Common traits are useful for comparing groups.
• Personal dispositions relate to individuals.
a) Cardinal (few ppl have, can’t be hidden)
b) Central (5 – 10 unique traits)
c) Secondary (many traits)
• Motivational traits spur action, stylistic traits guide actions
• Proprium – behaviors/dispositions that are warm, central to our lives, particularly our own.
• Functional autonomy refers to self-sustaining behavior independent from original motives.
• Perservative functional autonomy relates to behaviors not part of the proprium. Propriate functional autonomy refers to habits related to proprium,

Question 21

Allport believed that psychoanalytic and learning theories
Select one:
a. are basically homeostatic or reactive.
b. are theories of changing motives.
c. are basically proactive.
d. focus on present moments.

Answer 21

A) Are basically homeostatic or reactive.

Question 22

Allport’s view of humanity includes the idea that
Select one:
a. people are motivated primarily to reduce tension.
b. personality is determined by cultural factors.
c. people seek to reduce tensions and also to establish new ones.
d. people are essentially reactive.

Answer 22

C) People seek to reduce tensions and also to establish new ones.