Human/Bio Theories of Personality Flashcards
Define humanism
Emphasis on the unique qualities of humans and their drive for personal growth / freedoms
What are the two assumptions of humanism?
- People can rise above primitive/bio urges
2. Mostly conscious and rational beings, not dominated by unconscious/irrational needs/conflicts
If you think subjective reality is more important than objective facts, what are you? Can you give an example of this?
A humanist. If you BELIEVE you’re good at school, than that will manifest into reality somewhat
What is the phenomenological approach?
Personal subjective experiences must be taken into account when analyzing behaviour
What is the human potential movement?
Goal: obtain self realization through sensitivity training and other tools for personal development
What is the only concept in Roger’s personality structure ? Where is it not?
The self! Also called self-concept: collection of beliefs you have about your nature and personality. Not in unconscious
What can disparity between one’s self concept and actual reality lead to? Is this good or bad?
Incongruence: (exactly that)
Little bit: good, helps you pursue image of yourself
Lot: bad, leads to anxiety
What environmental factor leads to congruence/incongruence?
Childhood experiences associated with love. Unconditional love (allegedly): congruence
Conditional: incongruence
Why does conditional love breed incongruence?
Because you’re always distorting your experiences to feel worthy about yourself. Means you’re relying on something external for gratification
What is the relationship between anxiety and self image?
How do people deal with this?
Anxiety caused by things that threaten self concept. So, the faker you concept is, the more anxiety will come -> denial/twisting reality
Explain Higgins’ idea about self-discrepancy
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
Give an example of Higgins idea of self-regulation
We can alter our actions to achieve goals. Studying for a test (wouldn’t normally want to)
What are the two areas of focus for self-regulation?
Promotion-focused:looking to win, achieve positive outcomes
-Prevention focus: looking to survive, avoid negatives
What is the “top of the pyramid” divided into in ASCENDING order? What are they referred to as?
Growth Needs:
- Cognitive needs (knowledge)
- Aesthetic needs (beauty, order)
- Self actualization: realization of potential
What are the pros/cons of humanism?
- Cons:
1. Difficult to test
2. Unrealistically optimistic
3. more research needed
Pros:
- healthy perspective, capability of growth
Explain Eysenck’s theory of personality. What is it determined by?
Hierarchical order. superficial and basic traits.
Superficial -> basic -> higher order (3)
Genetics mostly
What are Eysenck’s higher order traits?
- (on a scale) extraversion-introversion
- neuroticism-stability
- Psychoticism-> self control (egocentric, cold, impulsive)
Give an example of how genetics can influence personality development according to Eysenck
Introverts are more sensitive to physiological arousal and can be conditioned easier. Therefore more inhibitions acquired from experiences/others, turn inwards (introversion)
What’s interesting about identical twins and personality?
They share 50% of traits even when separated at birth. So family environment has little impact on personality
What is the issue with genetic mapping? What is it?
Trying to link traits to specific genes. A single trait could be influenced by thousands of genes though
What does the neuroscience of personality look at?
Relationships between specific traits and behaviour as well as aspects of brain structure and functioning
- Differences might have roots in brain structure essentially
How might brain structure and the big five traits be related?
Size of certain structures relates to prevalence of trait.
Why might natural selection favour the big five traits?
Humans depended heavily on groups so we became sensitive to DETECTING these traits
List the adaptable applications for the big five
Extraversion: ability to bond with others
- Agreeableness: ability to cooperate/compromise
- Conscientiousness: reliable/ethical
- Openness: problem solving
- LOW neuroticism: low stress
What did Nettle say about adaptability of traits?
That the traits themselves are adaptable instead of just our detection of them (extraversion, mating, etc)
How might extroversion and attractiveness relate to to each other?
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
What are some flaws with bio/evolutionary theories?
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)
What is the state of culture and personality?
People thought they were in agreement about national personalities, almost no correlation
What do American vs Japanese parents shape personality with?
Independent vs dependent views of self
I: self-reliance (America) -> exaggerate strengths
D: community
