Big 5/Trait Approaches

Question 1

What is the main contribution of Hippocrates and what is it’s application in psychology?

Answer 1

Doctrine of humours; makes a reasonable summary of basic reaction patterns

Question 2

What are the 3 different approaches to assessing traits?

Answer 2

Single trait approach, many-trait approach, essential trait approach

Question 3

What is a single-trait approach?

Answer 3

Analyzing personality from a focus of a single trait, such as authoritarianism or conscientiousness

Question 4

What is sometimes questionable when using a single-trait approach to describe personality?

Answer 4

Validity, traits could be subjective

Question 5

What is a many-trait approach?

Answer 5

Analyzing personality more broadly with a focus on multiple traits

Question 6

What is factor analysis?

Answer 6

Factor analysis is using correlations to condense highly correlated items into fewer but broader constructs

Question 7

Why is factor analysis useful in a many-trait approach?

Answer 7

It allows a wide range of factors to be considered using a manageable number of constructs, allowing us to see interrelationships more easily

Question 8

What is Raymond Cattell’s contribution to personality psychology?

Answer 8

Created a 16 trait personality model using factor analysis and measured people using his model

Question 9

What is a significant challenge with factor analysis?

Answer 9

The subjectivity of latent variables; we measure observable variables and extract meaning, but we attribute that meaning to a construct that is ultimately determined subjectively.

Question 10

What is a latent variable?

Answer 10

A variable that cannot be measured and is instead inferred via measurement of observable variables (ex. personality traits)

Question 11

What is the California Q-set?

Answer 11

100 cards with phrases that are rated as either “characteristic” or “uncharacteristic” to varying degrees

Question 12

What are some individual characteristics that have been predicted by the California Q-set in the past?

Answer 12

Drug abuse, political orientation

Question 13

What is an essential trait approach? Provide an example.

Answer 13

Analyzing personality with a focus on a fixed number of traits that are deemed essential (for example, the Big 5 model)

Question 14

Why is the Big 5 model considered valid and sufficient in describing personality?

Answer 14

High degree of correlation with other personality measures, cross-cultural validity, and the 5 domains are orthogonal (i.e they are statistically independent)

Question 15

How are the results of the California Q-set reported?

Answer 15

Via a normal curve with the 5 most characteristic and uncharacteristic phrases at each end of the curve

Question 16

What are the Big 5 personality traits?

Answer 16

Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Neuroticism, Openness

Question 17

What are the 3 fundamental characteristics of personality traits in general?

Answer 17

1) Consistent across different situations
2) Stable over time
3) Different between individuals

Question 18

In certain situations, why would implicit measures of personality be considered more valid than self-report measures?

Answer 18

In situations like a job interview, candidates are likely to engage in impression management and submit desirable responses rather than truthful ones

Question 19

What personality traits are positively correlated with a morning orientation?

Answer 19

Conscientiousness (also agreeableness)

Question 20

What personality trait is associated with an evening orientation?

Answer 20

Neuroticism

Question 21

Name 2 biological markers of personality that were discussed in class.

Answer 21

Symmetry, Circadian preference

Question 22

What is the lexical hypothesis of personality?

Answer 22

Important personality characteristics should be reflected in our language

Question 23

What are facets and how to they contribute to describing someone’s personality?

Answer 23

More detailed components of personality trait domains that increase validity and can help explain situations where someone behaves unexpectedly relative to their trait (ex. high level extravert likes parties but doesn’t like public speaking: high warmth, low assertiveness)