Chapter 9

Question 1

Eysenck employed factor analysis to identify _____.

Answer 1

supertraits

Question 2

what are Eysenck’s supertraits?

Answer 2

All traits can be subsumed within three basic personality dimensions:

Extraversion–introversion
Neuroticism
Psychoticism

Question 3

Eysenck divided the elements of personality into units that can be arranged _____

Answer 3

hierarchically

Question 4

what is Eysenck’s structure of personality from top-bottom?

Answer 4

1. supertrait (ie extraversion)
2. trait level (ie sociability, impulsivity)
3. habit response level
4. specific response level

Question 5

initial factor analytic research yielded what two basic dimensions of personality?

Answer 5

extraversion-introversion and neuroticism

Question 6

personality dimensions are ____ of one another

Answer 6

independent

Question 7

place the following (extravert, introvert, neuroticism):

___ are outgoing, impulsive, uninhibited, and sociable

___ are quiet, introspective, reserved, and distant except to intimate friends

People high on ___ are unstable or highly emotional, easily upset, and angered

Individuals low on ___ are less prone to emotional swings

Answer 7

Extraverts are outgoing, impulsive, uninhibited, and sociable

Introverts are quiet, introspective, reserved, and distant except to intimate friends

People high on neuroticism are unstable or highly emotional, easily upset, and angered

Individuals low on neuroticism are less prone to emotional swings

Question 8

what was the third supertrait found by Eysenck?

Answer 8

psychoticism

Question 9

people on the high end of psychotics are ___, ____, and ____

Answer 9

egocentric, aggressive, impersonal

Question 10

what were Eysenck’s arguments for a biological basis of personality (3)?

Answer 10

Consistency of extraversion–introversion over time

Cross-cultural researches indicate the three dimensions of personality

Genetics play a vital role in determining a person’s placement on the personality dimensions

Question 11

what are the physiological difference of personality?

Answer 11

Introverts and extraverts differ in how their brains respond to emotional stimuli

Introverts are quickly aroused when exposed to external stimulation

Question 12

what is sensitivity to reinforcement? (3)

Answer 12

The Behavioral Approach System and the Behavioral Inhibition System

Reinforcement sensitivity theory:
human brain has a behavioral approach system (BAS) and a behavioral inhibition system (BIS)

Individuals differ in the strength of these systems, and differences are stable over time

Question 13

People with a ___ BAS seek out and achieve pleasurable goals

Individuals high on ___ get pleasure out of rewards and anticipating those rewards

People with a high ___ are apprehensive and quick to retreat from problematic situations (experience more anxiety)

Answer 13

People with a high BAS seek out and achieve pleasurable goals

Individuals high on BAS get pleasure out of rewards and anticipating those rewards

People with a high BIS are apprehensive and quick to retreat from problematic situations (experience more anxiety)

Question 14

General behavioral dispositions that can be expressed in different ways depending on an individual’s ____

Answer 14

experiences

Question 15

Development into stable personality traits depends on complex interplay of ______

Answer 15

genetic predispositions and environment

Question 16

what are the 3 dimensions in temperament?

Answer 16

1. Emotionality - Intensity of emotional reactions
2. Activity - Person’s general level of energy
3. Sociability - General tendency to affiliate and interact with others

Question 17

Children high on emotionality frequently express ___. As adults, they are easily ___ and have quick temper

Highly active children move around a lot and prefer games that require ___ and ___. As grown-ups, they are always on the go and prefer ____ activities

Sociable children ___ out other children to play. As adults, they have a lot of friends and enjoy ___ gatherings

Answer 17

Children high on emotionality frequently express anger. As adults, they are easily upset and have quick temper

Highly active children move around a lot and prefer games that require running and jumping. As grown-ups, they are always on the go and prefer high-energy activities

Sociable children seek out other children to play. As adults, they have a lot of friends and enjoy social gatherings.

Question 18

gender differences in temperament:

Girls exhibit a ___ level of effortful control than boys

Boys are identified with an increased level of ____ than girls

Answer 18

Girls exhibit a higher level of effortful control than boys

Boys are identified with an increased level of surgency than girls

Question 19

Adult personalities are determined by both inherited ____ and the ___. Temperament influences the environment which in turn influences the way temperament develops into ___ personality traits.

Answer 19

temperament; environment; stable

Question 20

what are 4 characteristics of inhibited children?

Answer 20

Controlled and gentle ones

Attached to their parents

Slow to explore new environments

Anxiety to novelty

Question 21

what are two characteristics of uninhibited children?

Answer 21

Excited and rough ones

Quick to explore new environments

Question 22

how do inhibited and uninhibited styles represent inherited biological temperaments?

Answer 22

Inhibited children run the risk of developing social anxiety disorder

Uninhibited children are likely to exhibit disruptive behaviour disorders

Question 23

Some children appear to inherit a tendency to respond to unfamiliar situations with increased ____. When entering a new situation with new people, many of these children display what we typically call “____” behavior

Answer 23

arousal; shy

Question 24

what inherited tendencies allowed our species to survive? (2)

Answer 24

to become nervous and upset in certain situations

Question 25

how is natural selection related to psychological mechanisms and personality?

Answer 25

Inherited characteristics of a species that help them meet, survive and reproduce

Responsible for psychological mechanisms

Question 26

how does anxiety and social exclusion relate to evolutionary personality psychology? (3)

Answer 26

Anxiety - Unpleasant emotional state, a normally functioning person would avoid

Primary cause of anxiety - Social exclusion

Primitive people avoided behaviors that lead to social exclusion in order to survive and reproduce