Chapter One: Personality and Human Nature

Question 1

What is studying personality about?

Answer 1

Learning the forces and factors that shape personality.

Question 2

What are the aspects of personality?

Answer 2

External persona, stable characteristics, and unique characteristics.

Question 3

What is personality?

Answer 3

One’s characteristics or pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

Question 4

Why do we want to study personality?

Answer 4

Human beings are social, want to problem-solve, and we want to explain real-world problems.

Question 5

Free will vs determinism

Answer 5

Do we have the ability to choose freely vs are our behaviours predictable by a set of pre existing conditions.

Question 6

Nature vs nurture

Answer 6

Personality influenced by genetics vs personality influenced by experiences.

Question 7

Past vs present

Answer 7

Personality is set by a certain age vs personality is influenced by present and future experiences; it can change.

Question 8

Unique vs universal

Answer 8

Everyone is different vs some characteristics are shared by all humans.

Question 9

Satisfaction vs growth

Answer 9

We seek equilibrium in our needs vs we are motivated to want more.

Question 10

Optimism vs pessimism

Answer 10

To see the good vs focusing on what we don’t have.

Question 11

What is the external persona?

Answer 11

External and visible characteristics other people can see. The impression we make on others. Sometimes a mask we wear.

Question 12

What are stable and predictable characteristics?

Answer 12

Characteristics which are generally resistant to sudden change.

Question 13

What are unique characteristics?

Answer 13

We each possess special properties. Characteristics may change in response to different situations.

Question 14

What does research say about how we present ourselves online?

Answer 14

We present more emotionally stable and our personalities are at least as accurate as those conveyed face to face.

Question 15

What kind of people find it easier to express themselves online?

Answer 15

Introverted, neurotic, lonely and socially awkward people.

Question 16

Who is more active on social media?

Answer 16

People who can express their true selves.

Question 17

What does the internet do to personalities?

Answer 17

It shapes and reflects them.

Question 18

How is personality shaped online?

Answer 18

Through different social interactions and the reduction of well-being and quality relationships.

Question 19

How is personality reflected online?

Answer 19

Through posts and usually by extraverted, narcissistic, and neurotic people.

Question 20

What does race and gender have to do with shaping personalities?

Answer 20

The stereotypes applied to different races and gender influences the difference in personality.

Question 21

What is an example of gender shaping personality?

Answer 21

Women tend to display greater emotional complexity and intensity.

Question 22

What has cross-cultural psychology found?

Answer 22

That both genetics and environments influence personality.

Question 23

What does western culture do in terms of personality?

Answer 23

It allows people to exhibit greater optimism and positive thinking.

Question 24

What is karma?

Answer 24

It is a concept that leads people to be passive and resigned in some cultures.

Question 25

Do American cultures value karma?

Answer 25

No. They value free choice and action; personal effort brings success or failure.

Question 26

How do Asian cultures view individualism?

Answer 26

They see it as undesirable because it brings out competitiveness and assertiveness.

Question 27

What is personality theory?

Answer 27

It is a theory that helps to develop insight and different perspectives about how and why patterns of thoughts, behaviours, and feelings develop.