Chapter 3 Flashcards
Lexical approach
the approach deterring the fundamental personality traits by analyzing language. Ex: a trait adjective that has more synonyms probably represents a more fundamental trait than one with less
Statistical approach
Having a large number of people rate themselves on certain items, and then employing a statistical procedure to identify groups or clusters of items that go together. The goal of this procedure is to identify the major dimensions or “coordinates” of the personality map.
Theoretical approach
An approach to identifying important dimensions of individual differences that start with a theory, which then determines which variables are more important. It dictates in a specific manner which are important to measure
Lexical hypothesis
The basis of the lexical approach, the important individual differences have become encoded within natural language. Over ancestral time, the differences between people that were imortant were noticed and words were invented to communicate about those differences.
Synonym frequency
In the lexical approach, if an attribute has 6-10 words to describe it then it is a more important dimension of individual difference
Cross-cultural universality
In the lexical approach, if a trait is sufficiently important in all cultures that it’s members have codified terms within our language to describe the trait then the trust must be universally important in human affairs.
Factor analysis
A commonly used statistical procedure for identifying underlying structure in personality rating or items. Ex: Finding similarities and differences across that group together, etc.
Factor loadings
Indexes of how much variation in an item is “explained” by the factor. Factor loadings indicate the degree to which the item correlates with or “loads on” the underlying factor.
Sociosexual orientation
Gangstad and Simpson theory: men and women will pursue one of two alternative sexual relationship strategies. The first mating strategy entails seeking a single committed relationship, characterized by monogamy and tremendous investment in children. The second sexual strategy is characterized by a greater degree of promiscuity , more partner-switching, and less investment in children.
Taxonomy
A technical name given to a classification scheme – the identification and naming of groups within a particular subject feild
Interpersonal traits
What people do to, and with each other. They include temperament traits, such as nervous, gloomy, sluggish, and excitable. Character traits, such as moral principles, dishonest. Material traits, such as misery or stingy. Attitude traits, such as poise and spiritual. Mental traits, such as clever, logical and perceptive. And physical traits, such as healthy and tough
Agency
Tendency towards dominance, competence, and assertiveness. Motive to get ahead.
Communion
The tendency towards interpersonal relatedness, warmth and caring behavior. Motive to get along.
adjacency
In the Wiggins circumflex model, it indicates how close the traits are to each other on the circumference of the circle complex. Those variables that are adjacent, or next to each other within the model or positively correlated.
BIPOLARITY
in the Wiggins circumplex model,
Traits located at opposite sides of the circle are negatively correlated with each other. Specifying that bipolarity is used because nearly every interpersonal trait within the personality sphere has another trait that it is opposite.
Orthogonality
Discussed in terms of circumflex models, specifies that traits that are perpendicular to each other on the model ( at 90° of separation, or at right angles to each other ) are unrelated to each other. In general, the term orthogonal is used to describe a zero correlation between traits.
The five factor
The trait taxonomy that has received the most attention and support from personality, researchers. Also known as the big five, it consist of extroversion neuroticism agreeableness , conscientiousness and openness to experience.
Extroversion
The first fundamental personality trait in the five factor model, consisting of talkative, extrovertive, assertive, adventurous, open social forward an outspoken.
Agreeableness
The second of the personality traits in the five factor model, consisting of good-natured, cooperative, mild and gentle, and not jealous 
Conscientiousness
The third of the personality traits in the five factor model, such as responsible, scrupulous, preserving, and fussy and tidy.
Neuroticism/emotional instability
A dimension of personality present in some form, and every major trait, theory of personality, including the five factor model, such as moody, touchy, irritable, anxious, unstable, pessimistic, and complaining
Openness to experience
The fifth personality trait in the five factor model, such as creative, imaginative and intellectual, those who rate high on openness remember their dreams more and have vivid prophetic and problem-solving dreams.
Combinations of the big five variables
Traits are often examined in combinations. For example, two people in extroversion would be different. If one were an extroverted neurotic, and the other were extroverted, but emotionally stable.
Personality, descriptive nouns
As described by Socier, nouns differ in their content, emphasis from personality, taxonomy’s based on adjectives and may be more precise in 2003 saucers, work on personality nouns he discovered eight factors, including dumbbell, babe/cutie, philosopher, lawbreaker, joker, and jock
