Introduction to Individual Differences

Question 1

What is the study of individual differences?

Answer 1

Looking for the structure and determinants of enduring psychological characteristics as perceived by the individual and those around them.

Question 2

What are the different approaches to assessing individual differences?

Answer 2

Basic and applied research.
Skill sets, abilities.
Normal or abnormal functioning.
*Mostly quantitative based.

Question 3

Why study individual differences?

Answer 3

To find the nature of individual differences, most valid and reliable ways to measure them, and why they occur.

Question 4

What is a personality trait?

Answer 4

An enduring quality or characteristic that predicts thoughts, behaviour and feelings.

Question 5

What is the difference between a trait and a type?

Answer 5

Traits are continuous. Types are discreet categories. Can convert types to traits, but would lose key information.

Question 6

Do personality traits always predict behaviour?

Answer 6

Situationism: situations drive behaviour.
Personailty x Situation: if the situation is strong personality is constrained. if the situation is weak personality shows.
Personality -> Situation: your personality leads you to certain situations. personality can influence how context is interpreted.

Question 7

What is the Big 5 model?

Answer 7

By Costa and McCrae. Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism.

Question 8

What is the HEXACO Model?

Answer 8

Honesty/Humility, Emotionality, Xtraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness.

Question 9

What is the Temperament and Character Model?

Answer 9

There are 4 temperament traits which are seen as genetic (novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, persistence) and 3 character traits which are seen as psychosocially formed (self directedness, self transcendence, cooperativeness)

Question 10

What is Eysenk’s 3 Factor Model?

Answer 10

Extraversion -> Introversion
Psychoticism -> Normal
Neuroticism -> Emotional Stability

Question 11

What did Back et al find in their study on reliability of IAT’s measuring personality traits?

Answer 11

All self-reported traits significantly predicted respective behaviours in the lab. IAT only predicted levels of extraversion and neuroticism.