Chapter 9.3 Personality Development Across the Life Span

Question 1

Personality

Answer 1

the sum total of the enduring characteristics that differentiate one person from another

Question 2

Temperament

Answer 2

patterns of arousal and emotionality that are consistent and enduring characteristics of an individual; refers to how children behave, not what they do or why they do it

Question 3

Easy Babies

Answer 3

babies with a positive disposition; their body functions operate regularly, and they are adaptable; 40%

Question 4

difficult babies

Answer 4

babies who have negative moods and are slow to adapt to new situations; when confronted with a new situation, they tend to withdraw; 10%

Question 5

slow to warm babies

Answer 5

inactive babies, showing relatively calm reactions to their environment; have generally negative moods and withdraw from new situations, adapting slowly; 15%

Question 6

activity level

Answer 6

reflects the degree of overall movement

Question 7

irritability

Answer 7

nature and quality of an infant’s mood

Question 8

goodness of fit

Answer 8

says development is dependent on the degree of match between children’s temperament and the nature and demands of the environment in which they are being raised

Question 9

Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development

Answer 9

considers how individuals come to understand themselves and the meaning of others (and their own) behavior; suggests that developmental change occurs throughout people’s lives in eight distinct stages

Question 10

psychodynamic perspective

Answer 10

suggests that unconscious influences affect behavior

Question 11

trust-versus-mistrust stage

Answer 11

first stage during the first 18 months of life; says we develop a sense of trust of mistrust depending on how well our caretakers meet our needs

Question 12

autonomy-versus-shame-and-doubt stage

Answer 12

second stage from 18 months to 3 years; where we develop independence and autonomy if allowed the freedom to explore or shame and self-doubt if we are restricted and overprotected

Question 13

initiative-versus-guilt stage

Answer 13

third stage from 3 to 6; where children’s views of themselves undergo major change as they face conflicts between acting independently and the guilt that comes from the unintended consequences of their actions

Question 14

industry-versus-inferiority stage

Answer 14

fourth stage from 6 to 12; focus on efforts to attain competence in meeting the challenges presented by parents, peers, school, clubs, and groups to which they belong

Question 15

identity-versus-identity-confusion stage

Answer 15

fifth stage in teenagers where adolescents attempt to determine what is unique and distinctive about themselves and the roles they will play in their future lives.

Question 16

intimacy-versus-isolation stage

Answer 16

sixth stage from post adolescence into the early 30s; focuses on developing close relationships with others

Question 17

generativity-versus-stagnation stage

Answer 17

seventh stage in midlife where people consider their contributions to family and society

Question 18

ego-integrity-versus-despair stage

Answer 18

eighth stage in later adulthood, where people look back over their live, evaluate it, and come to terms with it.

Question 19

keeping the meaning versus rigidity theory (George Vaillant)

Answer 19

happens between the ages 45 and 55, where adults seek to extract the meaning from their lives and to “keep the meaning” by developing an acceptance of the strengths and weaknesses of others

Question 20

Seasons of life theory (Daniel Levinson)

Answer 20

said the early 40s are a period of transition and crisis

Question 21

Midlife transition theory (Daniel Levinson)

Answer 21

around 40 or 45, when people begin to focus on the finite nature of life and question some of their everyday, fundamental assumptions

Question 22

midlife crisis (Daniel Levinson)

Answer 22

stage of uncertainty and indecision brought about by the realization that life finite

Question 23

redefinition-of-self-versus-preoccupation-with-work-role (Robert Peck)

Answer 23

first; the theory that those in old age must redefine themselves in ways that do not relate to their work roles or occupations

Question 24

body-transcendence-versus-body-preoccupation (Robert Peck)

Answer 24

second; a period in which people must learn to cope with a move beyond changes in physical capabilities as a result of aging

Question 25

Ego-transcendence-versus-ego-preoccupation (Robert Peck)

Answer 25

third; the period in which elderly people must come to grips with their coming death

Question 26

life review

Answer 26

where people examine and evaluate their lives

Question 27

traits

Answer 27

enduring dimensions of personality characteristics along which people differ

Question 28

Big Five personality traits

Answer 28

OCEAN:
Openness: level of curiosity and interest
Conscientiousness: organization and responsibility
Extraversion: outgoing vs. shy
Agreeableness: easygoing and helpful
Neuroticism: level of moody, anxious, and self-critical