Chapter 4 Flashcards
Assumption 1
Psychological traits and states exist
Defined as “any distinguishable, relatively enduring way in which one individual varies from another” (Guilford, 1959, p. 6)
Trait
Distinguish one person from another but are relatively less enduring (Chaplin et al., 1988); specific moment in time
States
Samples of behavior may be obtained in a number of ways
Direct observation, analysis of self-report statements, pencil-and-paper test answers.
Referring to an absence of primacy of male or female characteristics
Androgynous
Freed from the constraints of gender-development social expectations
Liberated
Used in the popular culture to refer to a particular non-mainstream orientation to spirituality and health
New Age
Exists only as a construct - an informed, scientific concept developed or constructed to describe or explain behavior.
Psychological Traits
Refers to an observable action or the product of an observable action, including test or assessment related responses
Overt Behavior
A reminder that a trait is not expected to be manifested in behavior 100% of the time
Relatively enduring
The need for varied, novel, and complex sensations and experiences and the willingness to take physical and social risks for the sake of such experiences (Zuckerman, 1979)
Psychological trait of sensation seeking
A 22-item test seeking to identify people who are high or low on sensation seeking trait.
Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS)
Assumption 2
Psychological Traits and States Can Be Quantified and Measure
A method of scoring whereby points or scores accumulated on individual items or subjects are tallied and then the higher the total sum, the higher the individual is presumed to be on the ability trait, or other characteristic being measured.
Cumulative Scoring
