Chapter 9 Flashcards
What is Hans Eysenck’s Theory of Personality?
Eysenck employed factor analysis to identify supertraits
*All traits can be subsumed within three basic personality dimensions
What are Eysenck’s three basic personality dimensions?
*Extraversion–introversion
*Neuroticism
*Psychoticism
Explain how Eysenck divided elements of personality into hierarchical order:
Lowest:
Specific response level
- At coffee shop being social
Habit response level
-Behave socially in many different situations
Trait Level
- Sociability - At different degrees
Super - Trait level
- Extroversion (main trait of three main traits)
Explain Hans Eysenck’s Theory of Personality (with four main focuses) (two and two paired)
- Extraverts
- Introverts
-High neuroticism
- Low neuroticism
*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 swing
Note: Added third part later
What is Psychoticism
- Third supertrait found by Eysenck
*People on the high end of psychoticism are egocentric, aggressive, and impersonal
What is Eysenck’s argument’s for A Biological Basis for Personality?
*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 three personality dimension
Explanation for introversion / extroversion: Sensitivity to stimulation.
What is it?
*Introverts and extraverts differ in how their brains respond to emotional stimuli
*Introverts are quickly aroused when exposed to external stimulati
(Sensitivity to reinforcement) Human brain has behavioral approach system (BAS) and a behavioral inhibition system (BIS). What are they
behavioral approach system (BAS)
- People with a high BAS seek out and achieve pleasurable goals and get pleasure out of rewards and anticipating those rewards
behavioral inhibition system (BIS)
- People with a high BIS are apprehensive and quick to retreat from problematic situations
*Experience more anxiety
Individuals differ in the strength of these systems, and differences are stable over time
What is Temperament?
*General behavioral dispositions that can be expressed in different ways depending on an individual’s experiences
*Development into stable personality traits depends on complex interplay of genetic predispositions and environment
What are the three dimensions in temperament?
- Emotionality
- Activity
- Sociability
*Emotionality - Intensity of emotional reactions
*Children high on emotionality frequently express anger
*As adults, they are easily upset and have quick temper
*Activity - Person’s general level of energy
−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
*Sociability - General tendency to affiliate and interact with others
–Sociable children seek out other children to play
–As adults, they have a lot of friends and enjoy social gathering
What are Gender differences in temperament?
Girls exhibit a higher level of effortful control than boys
*Boys are identified with an increased level of surgency than girls (similar to extraversion in adults)
What are adult personalities determined by?
Adult personalities are determined by both inherited temperament and the environment
*Temperament influences the environment which in turn influences the way temperament develops into stable personality traits
What are Inhibited children?
Controlled and gentle ones
*Attached to their parents
*Slow to explore new environments
*Anxiety to novelt
What are uninhibited children?
Excited and rough ones
*Quick to explore new environment
Why are some children inhibited and some uninhibited? Potential issues with both?
Inhibited and uninhibited styles represent inherited biological temperaments
*Inhibited children run the risk of developing social anxiety disorder
*Uninhibited children are likely to exhibit disruptive behaviour disorder
