Chapter 7 - Allport and Eysenck

Question 1

Trait theory is the most ________ of all theories and is primarily based on ________.

Answer 1

Natural; measurement

Question 2

What is a trait/disposition?

Answer 2

Broad stylistic behavioural characteristic on which individuals differ

Question 3

The 3 characteristics of traits are…

Answer 3

Enduring, consistent, independent

Question 4

What are facets?

Answer 4

Minor traits, similar and convergent within larger traits

Question 5

What are the 3 major goals of trait theories?

Answer 5

To describe, predict, and explain

Question 6

Individual differences arise from differences in _________ and _________ of specific traits.

Answer 6

Strength; pervasiveness

Question 7

Traits are usually presented as _________ and presumed to be normally distributed.

Answer 7

Bi-polar

Question 8

There is direct correspondence between person’s _________ of trait-related actions and _________ of corresponding trait.

Answer 8

Performance; possession

Question 9

Traits can be organized in ___________.

Answer 9

Hierarchies

Question 10

What are Allport’s 2 approaches to studying personality?

Answer 10

Idiographic and nomothetic

Question 11

What is the difference between ideographic and nomothetic?

Answer 11

Idiographic: in-depth study of an individual

Nomothetic: study of commonalities (general rules)

Question 12

What are the theoretical assumptions that Allport makes?

Answer 12

Traits “neuropsychic” structures

Traits dynamic, interdependent

Traits determined @ birth

Question 13

According to Allport, traits vary according to their __________.

Answer 13

Pervasiveness

Question 14

What are cardinal traits?

Answer 14

Dominate person’s personality, cannot be hidden

Question 15

What are central traits?

Answer 15

Small # traits highly characteristic of person

Question 16

What are secondary traits?

Answer 16

Characteristics which operate in limited settings and vary in significance

Question 17

Allport claimed personality is more than __________ and emphasized __________ of the individual.

Answer 17

Sum of dispositions; uniqueness

Question 18

What is Allport’s functional autonomy?

Answer 18

Although motives come from tension-reduction, adults grow out of early motives and find pleasure/motivation in its own right

Question 19

What is factor analysis?

Answer 19

Statistical tool for summarizing ways in which large # variables co-occur

Question 20

What are superfactors?

Answer 20

Traits @ highest level of trait hierarchy

Question 21

What are the 3 superfactors of Eysenck’s model?

Answer 21

Extraversion, neuroticism, psychoticism

Question 22

What does orthogonal mean?

Answer 22

Statistically completely unrelated, no correlation

Question 23

What does Eysenck’s personality questionnaire state?

Answer 23

Anyone can be rated, some more, some less

Question 24

What is the difference between Allport and Eysenck on trait presence?

Answer 24

Allport: may have some traits but not all

Eysenck: everyone has all traits to some extent

Question 25

What is the difference between extraverts and introverts?

Answer 25

Extraverts: slower to arouse, easily bored, seek stimulation Introverts: easily aroused, do not get bored easily, avoid stimulation

Question 26

What are 2 key neural systems Eysenck hypothesized were involved in neuroticism?

Answer 26

Limbic system and autonomic nervous system

Question 27

What does the limbic system arouse?

Answer 27

Emotions

Question 28

What does the autonomic nervous system arouse?

Answer 28

Body

Question 29

What are the 3 critiques of Eysenck's theory?

Answer 29

Measures not aligned with theory Underestimates complexity of brain Cognitive factors affect performance

Question 30

Gray's reinforcement sensitivity theory of personality is based on concept of __________.

Answer 30

Neural subsystems

Question 31

What are neural subsystems?

Answer 31

Interconnected mechanisms located in different parts of brain but work together to function

Question 32

What are the 3 systems of Gray's RST?

Answer 32

Behavioural approach system (BAS) Fight-flight-freeze system (FFS) Behavioural inhibition system (BIS)

Question 33

The BAS responds to __________ stimuli.

Answer 33

Pleasurable

Question 34

The emotional experience of BAS could be called...

Answer 34

Anticipatory pleasure

Question 35

The emotion generated by the FFS is _______.

Answer 35

Fear

Question 36

The BIS resolves __________, where individual seeks reward but hesitates due to environmental threats.

Answer 36

Goal conflicts

Question 37

The dominant emotion generated by the BIS is __________.

Answer 37

Anxiety