Individual Differences

Question 1

Describe Eysenck’s model of personality.

Answer 1

Eysenck hypothesised that personality consists of two independent traits:
 NEUROTICISM – the tendency to experience negative emotions

 EXTRAVERSION – degree to which a person is outgoing and seeks stimulation

Question 2

Describe the components of the Big Five model of personality.

Answer 2

Acronym OCEAN

Openness– appreciation for art, adventure, unusual ideas, imagination

Conscientiousness– tendency to show self-discipline, planned rather than spontaneous

Extraversion– energy, positive emotions, and tendency to seek stimulation and company of others

Agreeableness– tendency to be compassionate and cooperate

Neuroticism– tendency to experience negative emotions

Question 3

Define locus of control.

Answer 3

An expectancy concerning the degree of personal control we have in our life (this can be internal or external)

Question 4

Define IQ – how is it calculated?

Answer 4

intelligence quotient

IQ = (mental age/chronological age) x 100

An IQ of 100 is average

Question 5

What are the limitations of IQ?

Answer 5

It averages all the domains of intelligence and doesn’t consider them individually

Question 6

What are the two different types of intelligence?

Answer 6

Crystallised Intelligence – the ability to apply previously acquired knowledge to current problems

Fluid Intelligence – the ability to deal with novel problem-solving situations for which personal experience doesn’t provide a solution

Question 7

How do these types of intelligence change with age?

Answer 7

Crystallised – increases with age

Fluid – shows a pattern of decline

Question 8

Describe the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to IQ.

Answer 8

Genetic factors – ½ to 2/3 of variation in IQ

Environmental factors – 1/3 to ½ of variation in IQ

Question 9

Describe Baron Cohen’s empathising/systematising model.

Answer 9

Empathising – ability to infer the thoughts and feelings of others and have an appropriate reaction

Systematising – the drive to analyse and construct any kind of system
i.e. identifying the rules that govern the system in order to predict how the system will behave

Question 10

What are the differences between males and females with regards to Baron Cohen’s model?

Answer 10

Females – more empathising, less systematising

Males – more systematising, less empathising

Question 11

What type of brain are people with Autism/Aspergus thought to have?

Answer 11

They are thought to have an extreme male brain

Lots of systematising and less empathising

Question 12

How does Conscientiousness impact health?

Answer 12

Conscientiousness:
Longevity
Adds 7.5 years to lifespan
Health behaviour across lifespan
Less likely to engage in harmful behaviours
More likely to engage in healthy behaviours
Higher medical engagement and adherence

Question 13

What 2 personaility traits of the big 5 impact health?

Answer 13

Conscientiousness

Neuroticism

Question 14

How does neuroticism impact health?

Answer 14

Neuroticism:
Increased reporting of somatic symptoms e.g. pain
Higher rates of mental health disorders
Higher mortality rates e.g. in cardiovascular disease
Health behaviour 
Higher rates of healthcare usage
Less adherence to healthy behaviours
Higher rate of health harming behaviours