Five Factor Model of Personality

Question 1

What kind of approach is the big five?

Answer 1

Nomothetic Approach

Question 2

What is the nomothetic approach?

Answer 2

its based on the assumption that there is a finite set of variables that can describe human personality

Question 3

By studying large groups of people we can establish what?

Answer 3

norms, so then a person can be described as being above or below the norm on a particular trait

Question 4

Historically, who believed you could group people in to 4 categories based upon their bodily fluids?

Answer 4

Hippocrates and Galen

Question 5

What are the 4 historical categories of personality and what are they?

Answer 5

Sanguine (lively, sociable), Choleric (excitable, impulsive), Melancholic (serious, introverted) and Phlegmatic (inward, thoughtful)

Question 6

What is a type?

Answer 6

distinct and discontinuous

Question 7

What is a trait?

Answer 7

dimensional - people will very where they fall on a dimension

Question 8

Who developed the the 3 types of personality traits and what are they?

Answer 8

Allport + Cardinal, Central and Secondary

Question 9

What are cardinal traits?

Answer 9

the trait that dominates and shapes a persons behaviour - these are rare as most people lack a single trait that shapes their lives

Question 10

What are Central Traits and how many?

Answer 10

5-10. General characteristics found in some degree in every person, the basic building blocks that shape our behaviour

Question 11

What are secondary traits?

Answer 11

Characteristics only seen in certain circumstances, must be included to provide a complete picture of human complexity

Question 12

Who developed the five factor model of personality?

Answer 12

Costa & McCrae 1992

Question 13

What are the five factors?

Answer 13

OCEAN - Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism

Question 14

What is Openness?

Answer 14

The individual has an openness to new situations, includes intellectual curiosity, active imagination. High scorers are unconventional/independent thinkers, Low scorers are more conventional

Question 15

What is Conscientiousness?

Answer 15

Our degree of self-discipline and control. High scorers are determined and organised. Low scorers are careless, easily distracted

Question 16

What is Extraversion?

Answer 16

Measure of sociability. High scorers are sociable, outgoing (extraverts). Low scorers are reserved, independent (introverts)

Question 17

What is Agreeableness?

Answer 17

characteristics of the individual that are relevant for social interaction. High scorers are trusting, helpful. Low scorers are suspicious, antagonistic.

Question 18

What is Neuroticism?

Answer 18

Measure of an individuals emotion stability and personal adjustment. High scorers experience wide mood swings, are volatile in emotions. Low scorers are calm, well-adjusted.

Question 19

Evaluation: The researchers have demonstrated that the observed personality differences are…?

Answer 19

stable over time and have a genetic basis

Question 20

Evaluation: The Neo Personality Inventory Revised (NEO-PI-R) has been what?

Answer 20

translated into several other languages and the same factor structure has been replicated

Question 21

Evaluation: There is not a total consensus, a [?] model has been developed?

Answer 21

six factor model - compromising honesty and humility

Question 22

Evaluation: Saucier & Goldberg (1998) argue that research should what?

Answer 22

Look for solutions beyond the current five-factor model e.g. where do religious beliefs or authenticity lie?

Question 23

Evaluation: Mischel (1968;90) has pointed out that many of these measures are?

Answer 23

descriptive and do not predict behaviour particularly well

Question 24

Evaluation: Despite these claims many of these measures are…?

Answer 24

widely used to make important decisions about individuals live and in the workplace.