Chapter 1. Intro to Theories of Personality Flashcards
Personality stems from “_______” –Latin for “mask”
persona (Latin: mask)
This is a pattern of relatively permanent traits and
unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a person’s behavior.
Personality
True or False. Trait is consistent over time.
True
True or False. Trait has stability across situations.
True
This is an individual differences in behavior.
Traits
These are the unique qualities of an invidual.
e.g., temperament, physique, and intelligence
Characteristics
A set of related assumptions that allows scientists to use logical deductive reasoning to formulate testable hypotheses.
Theory
This is broader than theory.
Philosophy
It must be tied to empirical data and science.
Speculation
Pertains to a specific guess that can be tested using scientific method.
Hypothesis
It refers to the classification according to natural relationships.
Taxonomy
Why are there different theories?
- Different Personal Backgrounds
- Childhood experiences
- Interpersonal relationships
- Different Philosophical Orientations
- Unique Ways of Looking at the World
- Data Chosen to Observe is Different
The empirical study of scientific thought and behavior (including theory construction) of the scientist.
Psychology of Science
The ________ and ________ of different theorists
influence the kinds of theories that they develop.
personalities and psychology
What Makes a Theory Useful: Criteria for Evaluating a Theory
- Generates Research
- Is Falsifiable (Verifiable)
- Organizes Known Data
- Guides Action (Practical)
- Is Internally Consistent
- Is Parsimonious
Dimensions for a Concept of Humanity
- Determinism vs. Free Choice
- Pessimism vs. Optimism
- Causality vs. Teleology
- Conscious vs. Unconscious Determinants of Behavior
- Biological vs. Social Influences on Personality
- Uniqueness vs. Similarities
2 Empirical Criteria for Instruments
- Reliability
2. Validity
It means consistency of measurement.
Reliability
2 ways to determine validity
- Construct Validity
a. Convergent
b. Divergent
c. Discriminant - Predictive validity
It is the degree to which a measurement measures what it is supposed to measure.
Validity
An _________ is one that defines units in terms of observable events or behaviors that can be measured.
operational definition
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.
Parsimony
It _______ holds that behavior is a function of past experiences.
causality
This is an explanation of behavior in terms of future goals or purposes.
teleology
It is the extent to which an instrument measures some hypothetical construct.
Construct validity
It is the extent that a test predicts some future behavior.
Predictive validity
