Chapter 2: Dispositional Perspective (Traits) Flashcards
Disposition
- consistent qualities of personality that remain the same, regardless of time, place or situation (uniqueness of each person)
- dispositional patterns: constitutes personality
Traditional Typologies
- type theories
- divide people into categories or types (introvert, extrovert)
- are distinct and discontinuous
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- Extroversion-Introversion
- Sensing-Intuition
- Thinking-Feeling
- Judgement-Perception
Traits
- continuous variables or dimensions
- traits are the same across individuals
- people differ with regard to how strong that trait is (where they fall on the continuum)
Goals of Trait Theorists
- identify the traits necessary to explain important human behaviors
- measure traits accurately
- identify causes of trait development
Theoretical Assumptions
- dispositions/traits are relatively stable
- influence behavior in most situations
- difference between individuals arise because of differences in strengths of traits
Identifying the Important Traits
- lexical/empirical approach
- theoretical approach
- statistical approach
Raymond Cattell
- personality: permits prediction of a person’s behavior in a given situation
- true units of personality should show up across different types of data
- factor analysis is the key to developing an objective of personality
Eysenck’s Three-Factor Theory (PEN)
- Introversion-Extroversion
- Neuroticism (Stable-Unstable)
- Psychoticism (vs. socialization)
- biological underpinning to all 3 traits
Extroversion-Introversion (E)
- E is the super-trait
- sociable
- lively
- active
- assertive
- sensation seeking
- carefree
- dominant
- surgent
Neuroticism (N)
- N is the super-trait
- anxious
- depressed
- guilt feelings
- low sensation seeking
- tense
- irrational
- shy
- moody
- emotional
Psychoticism (P)
- P is the super-trait
- aggressive
- cold
- egocentric
- impersonal
- impulsive
- antisocial
- unemphatic
- creative
- tough-minded
Introverted - Neuroticism
- moody
- anxious
- sober
- pessimistic
- reserved
- unsociable
- quiet
Introverted - Stable (Ego Control)
- passive
- careful
- thoughtful
- peaceful
- reliable
- calm
Stable - Extroverted
- leadership
- outgoing
- responsive
- easygoing
- carefree
Extroverted - Neuroticism (Psychoticism)
- touchy
- restless
- aggressive
- excitable
- impulsive
- optimistic
- active
The Five Factor Model
all identified traits narrowed down to 5 major factors or personality traits, present in all individuals to varying degrees of strength
The Big Five
- openness to experience
- conscientiousness
- extroversion
- agreeableness
- neuroticism
Big Five: conscientiousness
- competence
- warmth
- dutifulness
- achievement striving
- self-discipline
Big Five: Extroversion
- warmth
- assertiveness
- activity
- excitement seeking
- positive emotions
Big Five: Agreeableness
- trust
- straightforwardness
- modesty
- tender-mindedness
Big Five: Neuroticism
- anxiety
- angry hostility
- depression
- impulsiveness
- vulnerability
Big Five: Openness to Experience
- fantasy
- feelings
- actions
- ideas
- values
Traits and Behavior: Is there really a relationship?
- statistically, traits are accountable for 10-40% of the variance in behavior
- situationism: environment determine behavior more than traits
Conflict between traits and situationism
- measurement errors: behaviors are only measured once
- reduce errors by measuring behavior over time - interactionism: traits and environment interact to influence behavior
Assessment of Personality using the Trait Approach
Personality Profiles
- measure where the individual falls on the continuum
- NEO-PI: based on 5 factor model
- MMPI: 10 scales, high or low
