Ch. 7: Personality Development Flashcards
Rank-order consistency
maintaining ind differences in beh/pers over time across situations
Temperament + attributes
term for “pers” of young, pre-verbal children
-activity lvl, emo reactivity, cheerfulness
Heterotypic continuity
consistency of an underlying trait that has diff behavioral manifestations at diff ages
temperament is root
Person-env transaction
how ppl respond to/seek out/create environments that are compatible with/magnify their traits
Active person-env transaction
how ppl seek out situations compatible w personality or avoid sit perceived as incompatible
Reactive person-env transaction
how ppl w diff personalities react diff to same sit
Evocative person-env transaction
how ppl change situations they encounter through personality-related behaviours
(not agreeable; create situations of arguing; divorce outcome)
Cumulative continuity principle
idea that pers becomes more stable w age
Cross-sectional study
studying pers dev in ppl of diff ages, assessed at same time
Maturity principle
idea that traits assoc with effective functioning increase w age (socially adapted traits)
some decline in late life
Social clock
traditional societal expectations: when to have achieved certain goals
Narrative identity
life story you tell yourself
Paradox of personality development
addresses change & stability
Why does pers stabilize over time? (4)
- env tends to become more stable
- early experiences can have lasting consequences
- pers-env interaction
- actively change environments we enter
Which traits tend to change w age?
conscientiousness INC / neuroticism DEC
Why does pers change over time? (3)
- changes to body
- impact of certain events
- diff demands at diff stages
How does the social clock apply to women?
follow stereotypically feminine/masculine social clocks ~ long-term LS
Typical goals of young vs older people
- explore new possibilities, dev skills
- maintain emo well-being, enjoy rel
Association btw life experiences + neuroticism
neg life exp can INC neurotocism // > neuroticism = encounter more neg experiences
Can people sig change their personalities?
if one strongly desires to
7 principles of pers dev/change
- cumulative continuity;
- maturity;
- plasticity;
- role continuity;
- identity dev;
- social investment;
- corresponsive principle
Life outcomes predicted by inhibited child
slower to find table partner & find first job
Stability of personality disorders
generally stable, therapy doesn’t make much difference
Life outcomes predicted by mastery motivation & agreeableness
- school & work achievement
- less antisocial conduct
- better relationships
3 basic aspects of childhood temperament
pos emotionality, neg emotionality, effortful ctrl
What’s precursor of extraversion?
positive emotionality
What’s the precursor of neuroticism?
negative emotionality
Effortful control is a precursor of what?
conscientiousness + agreeableness
How appearance + environment influence personality
- appearance affects experiences; consistent influence on personality
- env factors ~out of ctrl; affect how you think/feel/behave (SE status, rural/city)
What does being bullied (age 11) predict? (3)
symptoms of ANX, paranoid thoughts, disorganized thinking
What does stress (poverty, maltreatment) predict?
- chronic biological inflammation = frail, tired, bad health
- stronger rxns to daily stress
What childhood environments promote good outcomes? (3)
highly educated parents, phys comfort, father
How exactly do we become more consistent w age?
- traits change together
- seniors: traits stay the same
- psychological maturit
Describe maturity & assoc traits (3)
- behavioral consistency
- traits that help you fulfill socially imp adult roles
-self-ctrl, interpers sensitivity, emotional stability
Define Flynn effect
IQ is slowly INC around world
Cross-sectional study: which traits decrease during the transition from childhood-adolescence then recover?
agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness
Cohort effect on personality research
cross-sectional confound – ppl of diff ages grew up in diff times/history, more likely to dev certain traits
Define ego development
ability to deal well in world, think for self abt moral decisions
(maturity principle)
Limit of the maturity principle + what’s it called?
maturity traits DEC in old age
La dolce vita effect (enjoying life)
Describe the 3 steps of the narrative identity
- See self as actor learning to place in society (child)
- Become an agent, guided by goals + values (7-9 yrs)
- Become author of autobiography (late ado)
Define redemption – narrative identity
event that seemed terrible, but turned out for the best
Define agency – narrative identity
organize life story around challenging self then accomplishment
List 4 methods that can change personality
psychotherapy, general intervention program (life outcomes), targeted intervention programs (specific traits), life experiences
Carl Rogers: how to change personality
provide unconditional positive regard to client
2 steps of the Sociogenomic Trait Intervention Model to change pers
- identify thoughts, feelings, beh to change
2. do things outside comfort zone continuously to act out change in encouraging env
What 3 factors prevent personality change?
- not a strong desire to change
- tend to blame neg experiences on external forces rather than personality
- prefer to stay in comfort zone
3 steps to personality change
- Think change is desirable
- Change is feasible
- Self-regulated behavioral changes becomes habitual
Plasticity principle
pers can change at any time
Role continuity principle
taking on roles (nerd/jock) can lead to personality consistency
Identity development principle
we try to dev stable sense of self then strive to act accordingly
Social investment principle
changing social roles at diff stages can lead to pers change
Corresponsive principle
person-env transactions can cause pers traits to be consistent/magnify over time
