Ch 3 Traits & Taxonomies (class 5-6) Flashcards
4 ways to describe ppl’s traits
- Internal
- Descriptive
- Categorical
- Dimensions
4 ways to describe ppl’s traits
- Internal
Carry our traits with us
Desires, needs, wants
Can influence our behaviours
Useful: provides explanations as causes of tendencies
4 ways to describe ppl’s traits
what is 2. Descriptive
No assumptions of internality or causality
Describes trends in behaviour
4 ways to describe ppl’s traits
what is 3. Categorical
Placing people in categories based on traits
Example: “They are an extraverted person”
4 ways to describe ppl’s traits
what is 4. Dimensions
People have varying levels of all traits
Example: “They are high in extraversion”
3 main approaches to developing taxonomies
- Lexical
- Theoretical
- Statistical
Describe the 1. lexical approach
Traits are all found in our language
Allows us to describe each other
Identifying important traits:
Synonym frequency
Cross-cultural universality
Describe the 2. Theoretical approach
Starts with a theory
What trait is important to us
Describe the 3. Statistical approach
Starts with pool of personality items
Identify ‘clusters’ of traits to create a dimension or category
Factor analysis
Strengths of 1. Lexical approach
Good starting point for finding trait language
Strengths of 2. Theoretical approach
Background for guidance
Strengths of 3. Statistical approach
Identify commonalities in personalities
Reduce insane amount of data
Weekness 1. lexical approach
Many words adjectives, nouns, adverbs
Weekness 2. Theoretical approach
Can be affected by gaps in knowledge and or biases
Weekness to 3. Statistical approach
Can be affected by biases
Need to be aware of what we are looking for
A mean is
An average
Add scores divide by number of scores
n=
What is a standard deviation
How far a score is from the mean
SD
What is a T-Score
A form of standard deviation
Takes an individual score (how you perform on the test) and transforms to a standardized score
Standardizing allows to compare scores between people, comparing against the norm
What is a percentage
Type of proportion or ratio score
Number as a fraction / 100
What is a Normative sample
Sample where we draw norms for comparison
Group of individuals from a reference population
Difference Taxonomy vs Personality test
Taxonomy:
Theoretical background / Sorting of classification
Personality test:
Applying ppl to the theoretical background.
Describe Eysenck’s Hierarchal Model 4 points
Based taxonomy on three core traits
Highly heritable
Psychological foundation
Based on having a ‘super-trait’ and more narrow traits underneath
What are Eysenck’s Hierarchal Model’s
What are the 3 super-traits
“PEN”
- Psychoticism
- Extraversion
- Neuroticism
What are Eysenck’s Hierarchal Model’s
3 super-traits
Describe 1.Psychoticism
Based around aggression, egocentrism, creativity, impulsivity, lack empathy, antisocial, higher in men.
High, solitary loner, cruel, like dangerous activities.
What are Eysenck’s Hierarchal Model’s
3 super-traits
Describe 2. Extraversion
Extraversion: sociable, active, lively…
Introversion: more serious, prefer to be on their own
What are Eysenck’s Hierarchal Model’s
3 super-traits
Describe 2. Extraversion
Extraversion: sociable, active, lively…
Introversion: more serious, prefer to be on their own
What are Eysenck’s Hierarchal Model’s
3 super-traits
Describe 3. Neuroticism
Based around anxiety, irritability, guilty, lack of self-esteem, moodiness
High:
Worrier
Higher likelihood of anxiety and depression
More emotional fluctuation
Circumplex Taxonomies
Circle
Involves the life in whole
Trait terms = kinds of ways ppl differ from one another
How did the Circumplex model begin
By Jerry Wiggins
Began with a lexical approach
Types of traits in the Circumplex
Interpersonal traits: Connections between people
Temperament traits: Nervous, gloomy, excitable
Character traits: Moral, principled, dishonest
Material traits: Miserly, greedy
Attitude traits: Spiritual
Mental traits: Clever, logical
Physical traits: Healthy, tough
Types of traits in the Circumplex
Interpersonal traits: Connections between people
Temperament traits: Nervous, gloomy, excitable
Character traits: Moral, principled, dishonest
Material traits: Miserly, greedy
Attitude traits: Spiritual
Mental traits: Clever, logical
Physical traits: Healthy, tough
- Interpersonal traits
Dyadic = social exchange with consequences for the individual
Love = emotional
Communion: connection together, morality
Opposite = dissociation
Status = social
Agency: power, mastery, assertion
Opposite = passivity
Circumplex model
Adjacency: how close to each other
Bipolarity: having an opposite end to the trait
Orthogonality: perpendicular. Zero correlation between traits
Big-5 model links to positive life outcomes
Academic success
High C, low N
Happiness
High C, low N
Forgiveness
High A, low N
Volunteer work
Low A, low E
Success
High E, high O, high C
Leadership
High E, high A, high C, low N
Big-5 Model links to negative outcomes
Alcohol abuse
High E, low C
Aggression
High N – cooled by high A
Have kids
High E, low N
Academic dishonesty
Low C, low A
The HEXACO model
Dvlpd by Canadian researchers Brock
Adding a 6th factor to the 5-Factor model & adapting other 5
What are the 6 main traits in the HEXACO model
- Honesty Humility
- Emotionality
- Extroversion
- Agreeableness
- Conscientiousness
- Openness
Describe HEXACO traits 1. Honesty- Humility
Sincere, honest, faithful
High
Avoid manipulating others
Not tempted to break rules
No need for wealth or luxuries
Low
Use falsity to achieve goals
Rule breaker
Sense of self-importance
Describe HEXACO traits 2. Emotionality
Emotional, oversensitive, sentimental, fearful
High Fear of physical dangers High anxiety to life stress Need emotional support Empathetic Low Low worry in high stress situations Do not share concerns with others Emotional detachment
Describe HEXACO trait 3. extraversion
Outgoing, lively, sociable
High Feel positively about themselves Confident in front of others Enthusiastic and energetic Low Feel unpopular Awkward in social settings Feel lower energy
Describe HEXACO trait 4. Agreeableness
Patience, tolerance, gentle
High Forgive others Lack of judgement Compromise and cooperate Control their temper
Low
Hold grudges
Stubborn
Critical
Describe HEXACO trait 5. Conscientiousness
Organized, disciplined, careful
High
Organize time and environment
Work towards goals
Strive for perfection
Low
Avoid difficult tasks or challenges
Will accept some errors
Impulsive
Openness to Experience
Intellectual, creative, innovative
High
Aware of beauty in art and nature
Curious in learning
Imaginative
Low
Little intellectual curiosity
Avoid creative pursuits
Avoid radical ideas
Pro’s Cons
- Eysecnk & Hierarchal
- Wiggins & Cicumplex
- Big-5
- HEXACO
- Eysecnk & Hierarchal
Pros
Heritability of traits
Links between traits
Cons
Other traits have heritability
Not covering all potential traits
Pro’s Cons
1. Eysecnk & Hierarchal
- Wiggins & Cicumplex
- Big-5
- HEXACO
- Wiggins & Cicumplex
Pros
Explicit definition of interpersonal behaviours
Identify gaps
Cons
Limited to two dimensions
Pro’s Cons
Eysecnk & Hierarchal
Wiggins & Cicumplex
Big-5
HEXACO
Big-5
Pros
Easy for understanding others
Links to outcomes
Cons
Lack of psychological processes
Pro’s Cons
- Eysecnk & Hierarchal
- Wiggins & Cicumplex
- Big-5
- HEXACO
- HEXACO
Pros
Expansion of personality into dispositional domains
Cross-language
Cons
Do we need a sixth category?
What is the Dark Triad
Developed by Canadian psychologist
Three ‘dark’ traits that are linked with disruptions and transgressions on a social scale
Socially malevolent, emotional coldness, deceitfulness, aggressiveness
Highly correlated between the three
Linked to low agreeableness, low honesty-humility
Dark triad
What is Machiavellianism
From Niccolò Machiavelli
Political writing: The Prince
Politics are governed through deception, treason, crime
Ends justify the means
Cunning, deceptive, exploitive, manipulation of personal ties
Dark Triad
What is Narcissism
Narcissism
Tendency towards grandiosity, entitlement, superiority
Excessive attention-seeking behaviour
Dark Triad
What is psychopathy
Subclinical
High impulsivity, thrill-seeking, low empathy and anxiety
Selfish and antisocial behaviour
Risks in Using Personality Assessment
Participants can - be careless / fake
How can we check for faking
Questions to determine - False Negative and false positive
What is a Barnum Statement
Something so general it can apply to anyone EX astrology
Possible Benefits of Personality test in workplace
Personnel selection
Integrity testing
Avoid injury and negligence
Possible Issues of Personality test in workplace
Legal issues
Right to privacy
Discrimination
Disparate impact
Race or gender norming
What is the Myers Briggs Type Indicator
Personality based on 8 core preferences
Corced coice format
What are the 8 fundamental preferences of the Myers Briggs Type indicator
1. Introverted Types Introversion Intuition Feeling Perceiving
- Extraverted types
Sensing
Thinking
Judging
What are benefits of the MBTI
Used in many areas
Intuitive based, makes sense
Risks of the MBTI
Not based on solid theory
Sorting of types
Fail validation tests
Hogan Personality Inventory
Adapting the Big-5 to the business world
People generally want:
Acceptance
Status
Predictability
Two category of scales
Primary scales
Occupational scales
Hogan Personality Inventory Primary scales
Adjustment : self confidence, self esteem, opposite of neuroticism
Ambition : Initiative, leadership
Sociability ; Extraversion, need for social interaction
Interpersonal sensitivity ; Warmth, charm, good relationships
Prudence ; Self discipline, responsibility, conscientiousness
Inquisitiveness; Imagination, curiosity
Learning Approach; Enjoying learning, staying current
Occupational Scales
Service Orientation; Attentiveness, pleasant, courteous
Stress tolerance; Handling stress, staying calm
Reliability; Honesty, integrity, organized,
Clerical potential; follow directions, attention to detail, clear communication
Sales potential ; Energy, social skills, solve customer problems
Managerial potential ; Leadership skills, planning, decision making abilities
Why use HPI
Based upon a supported theory
Many validity tests demonstrate effectiveness
No adverse impact based on gender, race, ethnicity
