Chapter 13- Costa & McCrae Big 5

Question 1

How many factors, subscales, and questions are included in the Big 5 theory?

Answer 1

5 factors, 6 subscales with 8 questions each

Question 2

High extroversion and low neuroticism leads to what?

Answer 2

emotional stability

Question 3

What are people high in extroversion like in regards to coping with stress?

Answer 3

They are better at coping with stress because they seek emotional support

Question 4

What are people high in neuroticism like?

Answer 4

They tend to have high levels of anxiety, depression, and self-blame

Question 5

How does conscientiousness relate to lifespan?

Answer 5

Conscientious people live a longer life (they are more conscientious about what they eat)

Question 6

What are the 5 factors in the trait theory?

Answer 6

1. Openness
2. Conscientiousness
3. Extroversion
4. Agreeableness
5. Neuroticism

Question 7

What are the three core components of the Five-Factor theory?

Answer 7

1. basic tendencies
2. characteristic adaptations
3. self-concept

Question 8

What are basic tendencies?

Answer 8

Basic tendencies are the universal raw material of personality. They hardly change, and they have a basis in biology. AKA, personality traits

Question 9

What are some elements of basic tendencies?

Answer 9

The 5 stable personality traits (big 5), cognitive abilities, special talents, sexual orientation

Question 10

Describe the potential development of basic tendencies

Answer 10

There is a little change until early adulthood, but rarely after 30. Changes are likely biologically programmed (higher extroversion in young adulthood = more likely to mate, higher conscientiousness more helpful in older age)

Question 11

What are characteristic adaptations?

Answer 11

One if the core components, they are acquired personality structures that develop as people adapt to their environments, these include motives, goals, anything learned,

Question 12

What is the principle difference between basic tendencies and characteristic adaptations?

Answer 12

their flexibility; basic tendencies are stable and characteristic adaptations can be influenced by external sources

Question 13

Describe the relationship between basic tendencies and characteristic adaptations in a situation involving learning English

Answer 13

What we learn (english) is a characteristic adaptation- how quickly we learn is a basic tendency (intelligence/talent/aptitude).

Question 14

What is the self-concept?

Answer 14

Core component, it’s technically a characteristic adaptation, but is differentiated because of its importance. Consists of knowledge, views, and evaluations of the self

Question 15

What are the peripheral components of the Five-Factor trait theory?

Answer 15

1. Biological Bases
2. Objective biography
3. External influences

Question 16

Describe biological bases

Answer 16

Peripheral component, the sole cause of basic tendencies

Question 17

Describe objective biography

Answer 17

peripheral component; everything a person does, thinks, or feels across the whole life-span. Emphasized what people have done in their lives rather than their perception of their experiences

Question 18

Behavior is a function of the interaction between what?

Answer 18

Characteristic adaptations and external influences

Question 19

Joan, who had a long personal history of detesting opera, is offered tickets to see one. Due to this, Joan turns down the offer. What is the external influence, characteristic adaptation, and objective biography in this situation?

Answer 19

Being offered tickets- external influence
Detesting opera- characteristic adaptation
Refusing offer- objective biography

Question 20

What are the 4 postulates for basic tendencies?

Answer 20

Individuality- adults have a unique set of traits and combo of trait patterns

origin- all personality traits are the result of internal forces

development- traits change through childhood, slows during adolescence, nearly stops in adulthood

structure- traits are organized hierarchically from narrow and specific to broad and general

Question 21

What are the postulates for characteristic adaptations?

Answer 21

Adaption- traits affect the way we adapt to changes in our environment

Maladjustment- our responses are not always consistent with personal goals or cultural values

Plasticity- Traits can change over time due to things like maturation and the environment