Intro to Personality Flashcards
What is nomothetic research
Research that generalizes the observations of individuals in order to understand the greater population
Most common in science
Idiographic
Focusing on each individual as if they are unique from everyone else
Differences between personality and other psychological fields
Theories explain phenomena, but are poor at guiding new research. Has been studied for long periods of time with lots of theories.
How have most theories been developed
Usually by clinicians and not scientist, which means that they developed their theories based off personal experiences with patients. A lot of theories have been influenced by the theorist’s past life
Post-diction
Theories are good at explaining events that have already happened
Why is personality a hypothetical-construct
It is a made up idea we have created to help us understand the consistency in one’s behaviour. It is not observable or tangible, but accurately represents reality and is therefore useful
What is the Type Approach?
The belief that there are a limited type of personalities. You are born into that personality and can’t change, which is ineffective for therapy
What are the 4 Humours?
The old belief of what humans were composed of. Blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm
People believed if you were sick that it was because of an imbalance of the 4 humours
What is the Trait Approach?
There are a few specific traits and tendencies that control our behaviour. Biology limits just how much we can change as a person
Psychodynamic Approach
Our personality is the interaction between psychic structures and our behaviour is the interaction between biology and experience.
Says a lot about child development
Behaviourist Approach
Emphasizes that we develop based off our experiences and learning from them.
Humanist Approach
Very focused on the meaning of our lives as an individual. Stresses positive motivation and reaching our full potential
Cognitive Approach
How is behaviour a manifestation of what is occurring in the mind. How we think, interpret, and process what is going on in the world. Personality is acquired through experience but focuses on cognitive tendencies.
Evolutionary Psychology
Focuses on the biological aspects of personality. Our personality is an evolutionary adaptation to help us survive. Focuses on common human motives
