Introduction and History

Question 1

What is personality?

Answer 1

the complex organisation of cognitions, affects and behaviours that gives direction and pattern (coherence) to the person’s life

Question 2

Describe Physiognomy

Answer 2

• Dates back to Aristotle (384 BC)
• Inner character judged by appearance
• e.g. straight, thin, fair hair means a man is fainthearted, physically weak, quiet and harmless

Question 3

Describe Lavater

Answer 3

• 1741-1801
• can judge moral character by examining the person’s face
• round face implies a person is caring with strong sexual fantasies, square face = intelligent, aggressive and dominant

Question 4

Describe Phrenology

Answer 4

• it followed Physiognomy
• the reading of bumps on the head
• tried to establish a link between the skull and human character
  one of the first to propose that the brain had mental capacity

Question 5

Describe Psychograph

Answer 5

• Phrenology gave rise to Psychograph
• machine could do phrenological reading complete with printout rating 32 mental faculties
• earned $200,000 for its owners in 1934