Chapter 1. Intro to Theories of Personality

Question 1

Personality stems from “_______” –Latin for “mask”

Answer 1

persona (Latin: mask)

Question 2

This is a pattern of relatively permanent traits and

unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a person’s behavior.

Answer 2

Personality

Question 3

True or False. Trait is consistent over time.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

True or False. Trait has stability across situations.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

This is an individual differences in behavior.

Answer 5

Traits

Question 6

These are the unique qualities of an invidual.

e.g., temperament, physique, and intelligence

Answer 6

Characteristics

Question 7

A set of related assumptions that allows scientists to use logical deductive reasoning to formulate testable hypotheses.

Answer 7

Theory

Question 8

This is broader than theory.

Answer 8

Philosophy

Question 9

It must be tied to empirical data and science.

Answer 9

Speculation

Question 10

Pertains to a specific guess that can be tested using scientific method.

Answer 10

Hypothesis

Question 11

It refers to the classification according to natural relationships.

Answer 11

Taxonomy

Question 12

Why are there different theories?

Answer 12

1. Different Personal Backgrounds
2. Childhood experiences
3. Interpersonal relationships
4. Different Philosophical Orientations
5. Unique Ways of Looking at the World
6. Data Chosen to Observe is Different

Question 13

The empirical study of scientific thought and behavior (including theory construction) of the scientist.

Answer 13

Psychology of Science

Question 14

The ________ and ________ of different theorists

influence the kinds of theories that they develop.

Answer 14

personalities and psychology

Question 15

What Makes a Theory Useful: Criteria for Evaluating a Theory

Answer 15

1. Generates Research
2. Is Falsifiable (Verifiable)
3. Organizes Known Data
4. Guides Action (Practical)
5. Is Internally Consistent
6. Is Parsimonious

Question 16

Dimensions for a Concept of Humanity

Answer 16

1. Determinism vs. Free Choice
2. Pessimism vs. Optimism
3. Causality vs. Teleology
4. Conscious vs. Unconscious Determinants of Behavior
5. Biological vs. Social Influences on Personality
6. Uniqueness vs. Similarities

Question 17

2 Empirical Criteria for Instruments

Answer 17

1. Reliability

2. Validity

Question 18

It means consistency of measurement.

Answer 18

Reliability

Question 19

2 ways to determine validity

Answer 19

1. Construct Validity
   a. Convergent
   b. Divergent
   c. Discriminant
2. Predictive validity

Question 20

It is the degree to which a measurement measures what it is supposed to measure.

Answer 20

Validity

Question 21

An _________ is one that defines units in terms of observable events or behaviors that can be measured.

Answer 21

operational definition

Question 22

What do you call this law?

When two theories are equal in their ability to generate research, be falsified, give meaning to data, guide the practitioner, and be self-consistent, the simpler one is preferred.

Answer 22

Parsimony

Question 23

It _______ holds that behavior is a function of past experiences.

Answer 23

causality

Question 24

This is an explanation of behavior in terms of future goals or purposes.

Answer 24

teleology

Question 25

It is the extent to which an instrument measures some hypothetical construct.

Answer 25

Construct validity

Question 26

It is the extent that a test predicts some future behavior.

Answer 26

Predictive validity