Individual Differences - Level 4 Flashcards
Nomothetic
Psychologists who adopt this approach are mainly concerned with studying what we share with others.
Ideographic
Psychologists interested in this aspect of experience want to discover what makes each of us unique.
ABC format
Model used to illustrate the role of cognitions and behaviours within us; particularly concentrates on how people become emotionally disturbed or self-defeating. In other words, from the adversities (A), individuals bring their beliefs, values, purposes, etc. (B) to these As. They then feel and act ‘disturbedly’ at point (C) – their emotional and behavioural consequences. The key to learning optimism lies in the formation of belief (at B); in other words, how you may think and feel about bad things, or misfortunes (adversity – A) will actually determine the consequences (C) that you will face.
Ability traits
Traits that determine how well you deal with a particular situation and how well you reach whatever your goal is in that situation.
Above-average ability
Within Renzulli’s three-ring theory of giftedness, above-average ability, at a general level, represents high levels of abstract thought, adaptation to novel situations and the ability to retrieve information rapidly and accurately.
Abreaction
The discharge of upsetting emotions relating to
their conflicts, in a therapy session.
Abstract conceptualisation
Learning by creating theories to
explain our observations and behaviours.
Abstract reasoning
To use the faculty of reason; think logically
with abstract material.
Acceptance of uncertainty
Refers to individuals who completely accept the fact that we live in a world of probability and chance, where there are not – and probably never will be – any
absolute certainties.
Accommodating
A learning style that is a combination of concrete experience and active experimentation.
Activating event
Within Ellis’ ABC model, the activating event (A in the model) is usually an event of an unpleasant nature that causes some unhappiness.
Active experimentation
Learning by using theories to solve problems and make decisions.
Actual selves
A term to describe how individuals really state, how they really are (as opposed to ideal selves).
Adaptability scales
In the emotional intelligence literature, this is the ability to manage and control emotions.
Adaptation
A biological structure, process or behaviour of a member of the species that enabled members’ species to survive in response to the (changed) environment, not only over other species but also over other members of the same species.
Additive genetic variance
Variation caused by the effects of numerous genes which combine in the defining of phenotypic
behaviour.
Admixture hypothesis
A hypothesis used to explain the relationship between birth order and IQ. What this hypothesis suggests is that parental intelligence and socioeconomic status are additional factors to consider in the relationship between birth order and IQ scores, coupled with the fact that parents with lower IQ scores tend to have more children.
Adoption studies
Studies where comparisons are made between siblings, twins, reared apart, parents (both biological and non-biological) and adopted children to examine the extent of genetic and environmental effects on behaviour and personality.
Affect regulation
An area used by Siever and Davis to describe the association between neurotransmitters and personality disorders relating to levels of regulation of feelings and mood.
Agency
A component of hope; reflects an individual’s determi-
nation that goals can be achieved; the mental determination or belief to go after that specific goal.
Aggregated individual discrimination
Part of social dominance theory; refers to the simple and sometimes unnoticeable individ-ual acts of discrimination by one individual against another.
Aggregated institutional discrimination
Part of social dominance theory; explains social hierarchy as the result of the procedures and actions of social institutions, such as the political organisations, church, courts and schools.
Agoraphobia
An abnormal fear of open or public places.
Agreeableness
Warm, trustful, courteous, agreeable, cooperative personality traits.