Development of Personality

Question 1

What three temperaments did Thomas suggest as a result of his 1997 study?

Answer 1

Easy, difficult and slow-to-warm-up temperaments

Question 2

Define temperament

Answer 2

Our inborn personality traits

Question 3

Define personality

Answer 3

Personality is what defines us as a person. The way we think, interact with others and behave are all individual to us.

Question 4

Whose study identified four basic traits of temperament evident in children and what were they?

Answer 4

Buss and Plomin (1984)

Emotionality, activity, sociability and impulsivity

Question 5

What trait did Kagan and Snidman (1991) propose came about to due an overactive amygdala?

Answer 5

Shyness/nervousness

Question 6

What were the three important personality traits Eysenck suggested (1952)?

Answer 6

Extroversion
Introversion
Neuroticism

Question 7

What behaviours would an extroverted person demonstrate?

Answer 7

Outgoing nature, high level of activity within a person (e.g. longing for excitement)

Question 8

What behaviours would an introverted person demonstrate?

Answer 8

Doing things on their own, dislikes crowds, prefers quiet to excitement

Question 9

What personality type would demonstrate a nature full of guilt, anxiety and worry?

Answer 9

Neurotic

Question 10

Define antisocial personality disorder (APD)

Answer 10

A pattern of disregard for and violation of rights of others

Question 11

If a child has APD, will they ‘grow out of it’?

Answer 11

No. It usually begins in childhood or early adulthood and continues into adulthood.

Question 12

Provide three examples of behaviours required for a diagnosis of APD

Answer 12

Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviours
Deceitfulness
Irritability or aggressiveness
Lack of remorse
Failure to plan ahead

Question 13

What risk factors for APD were suggested as a result of Farrington’s 1995 study?

Answer 13

Convicted parent
Belonging to a large family
Being of low intelligence
Child-rearing factors (e.g. young mother and disrupted family)

Question 14

Farrington’s 1995 study used a large sample—411 cases. Does the make it representative?

Answer 14

No. Only males from south London were used and so it cannot be generalised to people living in different areas or females.

Question 15

Did Raine (2000) suggest that APD was genetic/biological or environmental?

Answer 15

Genetic/biological

Question 16

Whose 2000 study had a sample of 41 murderers from California? Was this representative?

Answer 16

Raine (2000). No, it was not and findings could not be generalized.