Five Factor Model of Personality Flashcards
What kind of approach is the big five?
Nomothetic Approach
What is the nomothetic approach?
its based on the assumption that there is a finite set of variables that can describe human personality
By studying large groups of people we can establish what?
norms, so then a person can be described as being above or below the norm on a particular trait
Historically, who believed you could group people in to 4 categories based upon their bodily fluids?
Hippocrates and Galen
What are the 4 historical categories of personality and what are they?
Sanguine (lively, sociable), Choleric (excitable, impulsive), Melancholic (serious, introverted) and Phlegmatic (inward, thoughtful)
What is a type?
distinct and discontinuous
What is a trait?
dimensional - people will very where they fall on a dimension
Who developed the the 3 types of personality traits and what are they?
Allport + Cardinal, Central and Secondary
What are cardinal traits?
the trait that dominates and shapes a persons behaviour - these are rare as most people lack a single trait that shapes their lives
What are Central Traits and how many?
5-10. General characteristics found in some degree in every person, the basic building blocks that shape our behaviour
What are secondary traits?
Characteristics only seen in certain circumstances, must be included to provide a complete picture of human complexity
Who developed the five factor model of personality?
Costa & McCrae 1992
What are the five factors?
OCEAN - Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism
What is Openness?
The individual has an openness to new situations, includes intellectual curiosity, active imagination. High scorers are unconventional/independent thinkers, Low scorers are more conventional
What is Conscientiousness?
Our degree of self-discipline and control. High scorers are determined and organised. Low scorers are careless, easily distracted
What is Extraversion?
Measure of sociability. High scorers are sociable, outgoing (extraverts). Low scorers are reserved, independent (introverts)
What is Agreeableness?
characteristics of the individual that are relevant for social interaction. High scorers are trusting, helpful. Low scorers are suspicious, antagonistic.
What is Neuroticism?
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.
Evaluation: The researchers have demonstrated that the observed personality differences are…?
stable over time and have a genetic basis
Evaluation: The Neo Personality Inventory Revised (NEO-PI-R) has been what?
translated into several other languages and the same factor structure has been replicated
Evaluation: There is not a total consensus, a [?] model has been developed?
six factor model - compromising honesty and humility
Evaluation: Saucier & Goldberg (1998) argue that research should what?
Look for solutions beyond the current five-factor model e.g. where do religious beliefs or authenticity lie?
Evaluation: Mischel (1968;90) has pointed out that many of these measures are?
descriptive and do not predict behaviour particularly well
Evaluation: Despite these claims many of these measures are…?
widely used to make important decisions about individuals live and in the workplace.
