CHAPTER 4

Question 1

the trait approach

Answer 1

typically relies on correlational designs where traits predict behaviour

pros:
- assess and understand how ppl differ

cons:
- neglects personality aspects common to all ppl
- ignores how ppl are unique

Question 2

traits

Answer 2

building blocks of personality
- ppl differ in trait consistency
- can change depending on situation and age

traits are not ONLY thing impacting behaviour

Question 3

who has the most consistent traits

Answer 3

middle aged ppl

kids have lowest consistency

Question 4

harry stack sullivan

Answer 4

made interpersonal theory of personality

Question 5

interpersonal theory of personality

Answer 5

talks about importance of situation on personality

says personality is relatively enduring pattern of recurrent INTERPERSONAL SITUATIONS
- importance of peers in forming identity
- illusion of individuality

we “become” diff ppl in soc situations, respond to how others see us

unhealthy psych dev in resp to peers
- soc anxiety bcs of disturbed relationships

Question 6

attributions

Answer 6

causal explanation i.e. to explain behaviour

Question 7

situational vs dispositional attributes

Answer 7

dispositional: a behaviour is result of a person’s personality

situational: a behaviour is result of the situation a person is in

Question 8

fundamental attribution error

Answer 8

we overlook situational explanations for others and focus on dispostional

Question 9

the person-situation debate

Answer 9

made by mischel

question of if the personality or situation is more influential on behaviour

Question 10

situationism

Answer 10

believes that behaviour is driven by the situation and personality is unimportant

says there’s a low upper limit to how much personality can predict behaviour

powerful situations override personality i.e. being hunted

Question 11

mischel’s belief on situation

Answer 11

says situation does not ENTIRELY cause behaviour

actions = environ factors + internal cognitive characteristics

Question 12

behavioural signature

Answer 12

contribs to consistency of a person’s personality

Question 13

arguments against mischel

Answer 13

if situation is everything, we are nothing

his literary review was selective w poor methodology

Question 14

how does situationism view human nature

Answer 14

humans are not free to do whatever they want

Question 15

interactionism

Answer 15

joint function of person AND situation on behaviour

Question 16

norm endler

Answer 16

distinguished mechanistic and reciprocal models

Question 17

mechanistic vs reciprocal models

Answer 17

mechanistic: focuses on how the situation impacts behaviour

reciprocal: focuses on interplay of person and situation on behav

Question 18

how does interactionism see human behav

Answer 18

personality variables may depend on the situation or vice cersa

certain ppl actively seek themselves in different situations
ppl change dep on situation

Question 19

pros and cons of the person-situation approach

Answer 19

pros:
- emphasis on interpersonal influence
- takes best aspects of other approaches
- understands we’re diff in situations

cons:
- diff to define situations
- extreme positions ignore relationship b/w personality, behav, and situation

views human nature so behaviour is partly determined by personality