Chapter One: Personality and Human Nature Flashcards
What is studying personality about?
Learning the forces and factors that shape personality.
What are the aspects of personality?
External persona, stable characteristics, and unique characteristics.
What is personality?
One’s characteristics or pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
Why do we want to study personality?
Human beings are social, want to problem-solve, and we want to explain real-world problems.
Free will vs determinism
Do we have the ability to choose freely vs are our behaviours predictable by a set of pre existing conditions.
Nature vs nurture
Personality influenced by genetics vs personality influenced by experiences.
Past vs present
Personality is set by a certain age vs personality is influenced by present and future experiences; it can change.
Unique vs universal
Everyone is different vs some characteristics are shared by all humans.
Satisfaction vs growth
We seek equilibrium in our needs vs we are motivated to want more.
Optimism vs pessimism
To see the good vs focusing on what we don’t have.
What is the external persona?
External and visible characteristics other people can see. The impression we make on others. Sometimes a mask we wear.
What are stable and predictable characteristics?
Characteristics which are generally resistant to sudden change.
What are unique characteristics?
We each possess special properties. Characteristics may change in response to different situations.
What does research say about how we present ourselves online?
We present more emotionally stable and our personalities are at least as accurate as those conveyed face to face.
What kind of people find it easier to express themselves online?
Introverted, neurotic, lonely and socially awkward people.
Who is more active on social media?
People who can express their true selves.
What does the internet do to personalities?
It shapes and reflects them.
How is personality shaped online?
Through different social interactions and the reduction of well-being and quality relationships.
How is personality reflected online?
Through posts and usually by extraverted, narcissistic, and neurotic people.
What does race and gender have to do with shaping personalities?
The stereotypes applied to different races and gender influences the difference in personality.
What is an example of gender shaping personality?
Women tend to display greater emotional complexity and intensity.
What has cross-cultural psychology found?
That both genetics and environments influence personality.
What does western culture do in terms of personality?
It allows people to exhibit greater optimism and positive thinking.
What is karma?
It is a concept that leads people to be passive and resigned in some cultures.
Do American cultures value karma?
No. They value free choice and action; personal effort brings success or failure.
How do Asian cultures view individualism?
They see it as undesirable because it brings out competitiveness and assertiveness.
What is personality theory?
It is a theory that helps to develop insight and different perspectives about how and why patterns of thoughts, behaviours, and feelings develop.
