Dispositional Approach - Models Flashcards
What’s a scientific model?
A theory based on “constructs”
A best scientific guess
Hypothetical ways to organise observations that are real.
Why use “theoretical models”?
Models are theoretical; they are hypothetical
A “useful fiction.”
Is often a “framework” for theorising.
As a DESCRIPTION, models can simplify a complex set of theoretical constructs and their relations by presenting an organised scheme or visual representation with a structure e.g.:
Biological taxonomy = classification scheme
Periodic Table = organised scheme
Left-to-right Flow chart = visual representation of process sequence
Provides guiding principles for testing
Easier to communicate about the same thing.
Some Trait Models of Personality
Psychoticism-Extraversion-Neuroticism (PEN) or Eysenck’s Hierarchical Model
16 Personality Factors (16-PF) (Cattell, 1965)
Wiggins’ Circumplex Model
The Five Factor Model (Costa & McCrae, 1985) or The Big 5 (Goldberg, 1990)
HEXACO model (Ashton & Lee, 2001)
Eysenck’s PEN Model Hierarchy - 3 main traits
P sychoticism: cold, egocentric, antisocial (not asocial)
E xtraversion: energetic, carefree, dominant
N euroticism: tense, shy, moody, anxious
Eysenck’s PEN Model Limitation:
Not very comprehensive in capturing all traits of humans
Cattell’s 16 PF model. The lexical approach and factor analysis (statistical approach) used to identify…
16 basic behaviour factors
Wiggins’ Circumplex Model
Focused on ways individuals differ, especially interpersonal traits (instead of attitudes or personal traits)
Provided explicit definition of interpersonal behaviour
Specified the relations among all traits
Identified gaps of knowledge about each trait
The Five Factor Model (Costa & McCrae, 1985) or The Big 5 (Goldberg, 1990)
The five factors???
Penness - Imaginative or practical
Interested in variety or routine
Independent or conforming
Conscientiousness - Organised or disorganised
Careful or careless
Disciplined or impulsive
Extraversion - Sociable or retiring
Fun-loving or somber
Affectionate or reserved
Agreeableness - Softhearted or ruthless
Trusting or suspicious
Helpful or uncooperative
Neuroticism - Calm or anxious
Secure or insecure
Self-satisfied or self-pitying
HEXACO Model Ashton & Lee (2001)
The 6 factors?
Honesty-Humility Emotionality Extraversion Agreeableness Conscientiousness Openness to experiance
Three fundamental standards of science
Logical Coherence – does it make sense?
Adequacy of Reconstruction – coverage, consistency
Adequacy of Method – hypotheses are: {operations, mappings, auxiliary assumptions}
Characteristics of Good Models
Testability
Propositions (hypotheses) are verifiable.
Precision
Should be as specific and accurate in language as possible.
Parsimony
Explains as simply as possible.
Usefulness
Practicality, not trivial.
Generativity
Should stimulate further research.
