Chapter 1 - Personality

Question 0

What is Hollander’s definition of personality? (1971)

Answer 0

The sum total of an individuals characteristics which make him unique

Question 1

Define the term personality

Answer 1

An individipual’s predisposition to behave in a certain way

Question 2

How does Gross (1992) define personality?

Answer 2

Those relatively stable and enduring traits, which make a person unique but allow them to be compared to others

Question 3

What is the inner core of Hollander’s called and what does it represent?

Answer 3

Psychological core of beliefs, values and attitudes. Unlikely to change (the real and private you)

Question 4

What is Hollander’s theory called?

Answer 4

The concentric ring theory (interactionist theory)

Question 5

What is the middle layer called in the concentric ring theory?

Answer 5

Typical responses - more or less permanent characteristics that we show (friends and family). How we would typically behave!

Question 6

What is meant by role related behaviours

Answer 6

How we behave in different situations. Our behaviour may be affected by new situations or we may behave differently in certain situations.

Question 7

What conclusions can be drawn from the concentric ring theory?

Answer 7

Our behaviour will remain fairly consistent due to our psychological core, however, this may vary, depending on the situation we are in.

Question 8

What are the general assumptions of Trait theories of personality?

Answer 8

B = f (P x E)
Personality is genetic/innate/inherited/nature
Personality is consistent/stable/enduring
Behaviour is predictable

Question 9

Name the 2 main Trait theorists

Answer 9

Cattell and Eysenck

Question 10

Explain Cattell’s theory of personality

Answer 10

16pf questionnaire

16 primary traits - everyone displays these traits in varying levels.

Question 11

Explain Eysenck’s model of personality

Answer 11

Personality Matrix - dimensions
Introvert - extrovert
Neurotic (unstable) - stable.

3rd dimension later added (psychoticism)

Question 12

Name characteristics of the Type A personality in the Narrow Band approach

Answer 12

Highly competitive
Desire for success
Works fast
Likes to be in control
Prone to suffer stress

Question 13

Name a type A sportspersons and identify their personality characteristics

Answer 13

Roy Keane
Aggressive
Psyched up
Cocky
Irritable

Question 14

What a the main assumptions of the social Learning perspective of personality?

Answer 14

B = f (E)
Behaviours are learned through interaction with others
Behaviour can change depending on the situation ( not predictable)
Behaviour is shaped by MODELLING and IMITATING

Question 15

Identify the 4 parts to the Social Learning Process

Answer 15

Observe
Identify
Reinforce
Copy

Question 16

Name the 3 ways in hitch we can measure personality

Answer 16

Observation
Questionnaires
Interviews

Question 17

Name the advantages of questionnaires

Answer 17

Self-report
Cheap and easy to produce and administer
Fairly reliable and produce large amounts of data

Question 18

What are the disadvantages of questionnaires?

Answer 18

Social desirability
Demand characteristics
Lack of validity - difficult to define personality

Question 19

What are the advantages of interviews?

Answer 19

Greater validity

More detailed answers

Question 20

What are the disadvantages of interviews?

Answer 20

Less reliability - difficult to repeat
Time-consuming
Researcher bias - misinterpretation

Question 21

What are the advantages of observations as a method of assessing personality?

Answer 21

People can be observed in their natural environment - high validity

Question 22

What are the disadvantages of observations?

Answer 22

Expensive and time-consuming
Problems with interpretation of behaviour
Participant’s being watched - social desirability/demand characteristics