Chapter 13 notes Flashcards
factor analysis,
a procedure that assumes that human traits can be measured by correlational studies
Eysenck used a hypothetico-deductive approach to extract three bipolar
factors—
extraversion/introversion
neuroticism/stability
psychoticism/superego
McCrae and Costa, like Eysenck, placed heavy emphasis on
biological components of personality.
High scores on the neuroticism scale may indicate
anxiety, hysteria, obsessive-compulsive disorders, or criminality;
High scores on psychoticism indicate
hostility, self-centeredness, suspicion, nonconformity, and antisocial behavior;
How many traits do most agree on
5
difference in Cattell and Eysenck
Cattell (16 traits) used an inductive method of gathering data; that is, he began with no preconceived bias concerning the number or name of traits or types
- Eysenck (3 traits) used a deductive method to identify three personality factors. That is, he had some preconceived hypothesis in mind before he began gathering data.
define traits
relatively permanent dispositions of people
factors that represent a cluster of closely related variables
we may find high positive intercorrelations
among test scores in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. We have now identified a cluster of scores that we might call Factor M
determine the extent to which each individual score contributes to the various factors, called
factor loadings
Unipolar traits are
scaled from zero to some large amount
bipolar traits
extend from one pole to an opposite pole, with zero representing a midpoint.
Introversion versus extraversion
axes on which the scores are plotted are usually turned or rotated into a specific mathematical relationship with each other (Eysenck)
orthogonal rotation
oblique method,
which was advocated by Cattell
Eysenck’s Criteria for Identifying Factors
must be reliable and replicable
must also possess ‘heritability’ and must fit
an established genetic model
must make sense from a theoretical view
must possess social relevance
Eysenck’s Hierarchy of Behavior Organization
specific acts or cognitions
Habitual acts or cognitions,
Several related habitual responses form a trait—the third level of behavior
Eysenck’s three personality dimensions are extraversion
extraversion (E), neuroticism (N), and psychoticism (P)
all bipolar
cortical arousal level for intro / extra (which are traits he saw as biological)
intro are aroused more easily so more sensitive to louder sounds; introverts are less likely to become bored
extra opposite ; lower level of cortical arousal
Eysenck accepted the diathesis-stress model of psychiatric illness, which suggests that
people are vulnerable to illness because they have either a genetic or an acquired weakness that predisposes them to an illness
the higher the psychoticism score, the lower the level of stress necessary to precipitate a psychotic reaction
Biological Bases of Personality ; what are the proportions according to Eysenck with proof
three fourths of the variance of all three personality dimensions can be accounted for by heredity and about one fourth by environmental factors
identical various parts of the world
maintain their position over time
studies of twins
Personality and Disease findings
cigarette smoking alone does not cause cancer or CVD but when it is combined with stress and personality factors, it helps contribute to death from these two diseases
5 factors are
Neuroticism (N) extraversion (E) Agreeableness conscientiousness openness to experience
Core Components of Personality
(1) basic tendencies
(2) characteristic adaptations
(3) self-concept
Basic Tendencies of traits are
include cognitive abilities, artistic talent, sexual orientation, and the psychological processes underlying acquisition of language
How quickly we learn (talent, intelligence, aptitude) is a basic tendency
characteristic adaptations
acquired personality structures that develop as people adapt to their environment
what we learn is a characteristic adaptation
self-concept is
actually a characteristic adaptation but it gets its own box because it is such an important adaptation.
- consists of knowledge, views, and evaluations of the self
- believing that one is an intelligent person makes one more willing to put oneself into situations that are intellectually challenging
Peripheral Components of traits
(1) biological bases
(2) objective biography
(3) external influences
Biological Bases
genes, hormones, and brain structures
objective biography
everything the person does, thinks, or feels across the whole lifespan
External Influences
how we respond to the opportunities and demands of the context is what external influences is all about.
Postulates for Basic Tendencies
individuality (unique set of traits and
that each person exhibits)
origin (genetics)
development (traits develop and change
through childhood)
structure (traits are organized hierarchically from specific to broad)
research findings
Traits are good predictors of grades in school, SAT scores, and even daily mood, but traits are not an immutable destiny. Even if your traits predispose you toward certain types of behavior, your actions can subvert those dispositions
Critique
generate research - H falsifiable - H organize knowledge - H internally consistent - somewhat inconsistent parsimony - H
Concept of Humanity
not concerned with traditional themes such as determinism versus free choice, optimism versus pessimism, and teleological versus causal influences. In fact, their theories do not lend themselves to speculation of these topics.
- humans possess not only consciousness, but self-consciousness as well.
- heavy emphasis on genetic factors of personality. low on social influences
- trait and factor theories lean toward individual differences
Evolution of the Five-Factor Theory
Originally, the five factors were simply a taxonomy, a classification of personality traits. By the late 1980s, Costa and McCrae were confident that they had found a stable structure of personality. In shaping a theory from the remnants of a taxonomy, McCrae and Costa were insisting that their personality structure was able to incorporate change and growth into its tenets and to stimulate empirical research as well as organize research findings. In other words, their Five-Factor taxonomy was being transformed into a Five-Factor Theory
Units of the Five-Factor Theory
predict behavior through an understanding of three central or core components and three peripheral ones.
(1) basic tendencies, (2) characteristic adaptations, and (3) self-concept
(1) biological bases, which are the sole cause of basic tendencies; (2) objective biography, which is everything a person does or thinks over a lifetime; and (3) external influence
