Human/Bio Theories of Personality

Question 1

Define humanism

Answer 1

Emphasis on the unique qualities of humans and their drive for personal growth / freedoms

Question 2

What are the two assumptions of humanism?

Answer 2

1. People can rise above primitive/bio urges

2. Mostly conscious and rational beings, not dominated by unconscious/irrational needs/conflicts

Question 3

If you think subjective reality is more important than objective facts, what are you? Can you give an example of this?

Answer 3

A humanist. If you BELIEVE you’re good at school, than that will manifest into reality somewhat

Question 4

What is the phenomenological approach?

Answer 4

Personal subjective experiences must be taken into account when analyzing behaviour

Question 5

What is the human potential movement?

Answer 5

Goal: obtain self realization through sensitivity training and other tools for personal development

Question 6

What is the only concept in Roger’s personality structure ? Where is it not?

Answer 6

The self! Also called self-concept: collection of beliefs you have about your nature and personality. Not in unconscious

Question 7

What can disparity between one’s self concept and actual reality lead to? Is this good or bad?

Answer 7

Incongruence: (exactly that)
Little bit: good, helps you pursue image of yourself
Lot: bad, leads to anxiety

Question 8

What environmental factor leads to congruence/incongruence?

Answer 8

Childhood experiences associated with love. Unconditional love (allegedly): congruence
Conditional: incongruence

Question 9

Why does conditional love breed incongruence?

Answer 9

Because you’re always distorting your experiences to feel worthy about yourself. Means you’re relying on something external for gratification

Question 10

What is the relationship between anxiety and self image?

How do people deal with this?

Answer 10

Anxiety caused by things that threaten self concept. So, the faker you concept is, the more anxiety will come -> denial/twisting reality

Question 11

Explain Higgins’ idea about self-discrepancy

Answer 11

We have actual selves, but also our IDEAL and OUGHT selves
I:who we wish to be -> depression when not fulfilled
O: duties and obligations -> Anxiety when unfulfilled

Question 12

Give an example of Higgins idea of self-regulation

Answer 12

We can alter our actions to achieve goals. Studying for a test (wouldn’t normally want to)

Question 13

What are the two areas of focus for self-regulation?

Answer 13

Promotion-focused:looking to win, achieve positive outcomes

-Prevention focus: looking to survive, avoid negatives

Question 14

What is the “top of the pyramid” divided into in ASCENDING order? What are they referred to as?

Answer 14

Growth Needs:

3. Cognitive needs (knowledge)
4. Aesthetic needs (beauty, order)
5. Self actualization: realization of potential

Question 15

What are the pros/cons of humanism?

Answer 15

• Cons:
  1. Difficult to test
  2. Unrealistically optimistic
  3. more research needed

Pros:
- healthy perspective, capability of growth

Question 16

Explain Eysenck’s theory of personality. What is it determined by?

Answer 16

Hierarchical order. superficial and basic traits.
Superficial -> basic -> higher order (3)
Genetics mostly

Question 17

What are Eysenck’s higher order traits?

Answer 17

1. (on a scale) extraversion-introversion
2. neuroticism-stability
3. Psychoticism-> self control (egocentric, cold, impulsive)

Question 18

Give an example of how genetics can influence personality development according to Eysenck

Answer 18

Introverts are more sensitive to physiological arousal and can be conditioned easier. Therefore more inhibitions acquired from experiences/others, turn inwards (introversion)

Question 19

What’s interesting about identical twins and personality?

Answer 19

They share 50% of traits even when separated at birth. So family environment has little impact on personality

Question 20

What is the issue with genetic mapping? What is it?

Answer 20

Trying to link traits to specific genes. A single trait could be influenced by thousands of genes though

Question 21

What does the neuroscience of personality look at?

Answer 21

Relationships between specific traits and behaviour as well as aspects of brain structure and functioning
- Differences might have roots in brain structure essentially

Question 22

How might brain structure and the big five traits be related?

Answer 22

Size of certain structures relates to prevalence of trait.

Question 23

Why might natural selection favour the big five traits?

Answer 23

Humans depended heavily on groups so we became sensitive to DETECTING these traits

Question 24

List the adaptable applications for the big five

Answer 24

Extraversion: ability to bond with others

• Agreeableness: ability to cooperate/compromise
• Conscientiousness: reliable/ethical
• Openness: problem solving
• LOW neuroticism: low stress

Question 25

What did Nettle say about adaptability of traits?

Answer 25

That the traits themselves are adaptable instead of just our detection of them (extraversion, mating, etc)

Question 26

How might extroversion and attractiveness relate to to each other?

Answer 26

Extroversion can be dampened by levels of attractiveness (or perceived). That is, you can be very extroverted but it’s not activated because you don’t see yourself as attractive

Question 27

What are some flaws with bio/evolutionary theories?

Answer 27

heritability estimates vary depending on how you sample them

• artificial emphasis of solely on nature (when nature/nurture are tightly bound)
• Genetics can influence environment and vice versa: a certain temperament (genetics) can elicit a certain parental response (environment)

Question 28

What is the state of culture and personality?

Answer 28

People thought they were in agreement about national personalities, almost no correlation

Question 29

What do American vs Japanese parents shape personality with?

Answer 29

Independent vs dependent views of self
I: self-reliance (America) -> exaggerate strengths
D: community