Chapter 9 Personality Flashcards
Where does the word “Personality” come from?
The greek word “persona” that means character presented in a play
How do you define Personality?
Usually by “terms of traits,” a persons usual way of behaving
People can show different personality “states,” mean level changes, and rank order consistency, what do these all mean?
States = someone can be shy aroud a certain person and extroverted around another
Mean level changes = example, measuring extraversion and bringing them back 5 years later to see if there is a change
Rank-order consistency = ranking people;e from least to most extraverted, then doing the same 5 years later to see if theres change in the ranking
What are the “Big 5” personalities
Introverted/Extraverted
Open to new experiences/Closed minded
Conscientious/Disorganized
Agreeable/Disagreeable
Neuroticism/Emotional Stability
Costa and McCrae’s research revealed the notion that personality is “set like plaster,”at age 30, why might they have gotten these results?
Because back then people would be married and have kids at that age but things are changing now
What is the Maturity Principle?
Individuals following the developmental trend of increased agreeableness, emotional stability, conscientiousness, and decreased neuroticism
Older adults who’s personalities change in this way are healthier, have better relationships, live longer, have better mental health, etc.
Describe the rank order consistency of personality trains across the lifespan
Theres less rank order consistency in the younger ages, but over time it becomes more similar
What leads to a decreased risk of mortality, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and more?
Conscientiousness, taking better care of your health
What leads to an increased risk of substance abuse, obesity, smoking, lung disease, high blood pressure, depression, and Alzheimers
Neuroticism
There is little evidence that shows type A personality (being competitive and work driven) leads to what?
Coronary Artery Disease
What did Sigmund Freud believe about personality?
That our personality and behaviour come from conflicts between the three aspects of unconscious mind (id, ego, superego) and is completely shaped by adolescence and doesn’t change
What did Sigmund Freud believe about defence mechanisms
That defence mechanisms help us manage the anxiety from underlying sexual and/or aggressive impulses
What concepts about personality did Carl Jung develop?
Developed the concepts of extraversion and introversion, and the feminine and masculine aspects of personality
Carl Jung broke from Freud in 1912 because of what?
he posted a publication called “the psychology of unconscious” and was the first theorist to posit that personality can change in adulthood, which went against Freuds views
Erikson developed stages of psychosocial development, what are the last 3?
Intimacy vs Isolation (21-39, all about yourself, eg.I need to find a partner)
Generativity vs stagnation (40-60, starting to think about others ex. future generations)
Integrity vs Despair (65+ years, thinking about your life ex. did I do good or bad)
People might experience a psychosocial issue at an age other than what’s shown
Research suggests that higher levels of generatively are associated with more meaningful and satisfactory relationships, Its positively associated with all big five traits except for which one?
Neuroticism
What is the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory?
People focus on informational rewards and knowledge early on in life, but the they sense time running out, they focus more on emotional rewards and relationships
What is the “Possible selves theory”
Views about ourselves guide choices and pursuits of future obligations, they want to become the future self they hope to be not their feared future self. Older adults may lower expectations in order to feel more satisfied with what they achieve
Whats the difference between Problem and Emotion focused coping
Problem focused coping: attempts to change a situation (eg.coming to class because you failed the last test)
Emotion focused coping: attempting to change appraisal (40% is still better than 0)
Older adults cope better with stress
What is the “Life Narratives Theory?”
Life stories dont reflect personality alone, they are important parts of personality along with other parts like goals and values
What are the 3 stages of Adult Development according to Levinson
Early Adult transition - 17-22, big changes in life structure like new job, moving for school
Midlife transition - 40-45, midlife crisis
Late adult transition - 60-65, also big transitions
Not everyone goes through a Midlife Crisis, what is a better name for it?
Midlife Correction
What are 3 critiques of the Midlife Crisis?
Age isn’t a marker of development (chronological age doesn’t relate to personality)
Levinson book was highly objective (only studied himself and his colleagues)
The “findings” were never replicated
