Introduction to the module

Question 1

What is Realism re:
1. Naive realism?

2. Empiricism?
3. Epistemic realism?

Answer 1

1. Meaning is objective & physical.
2. Got to see it to believe it. based on scientific observations.
3. Science knows reactions and reactivity but does not know underlying truths.

Question 2

What is pragmatism re:

1. Jamesian?
2. Instrumentalism?

Answer 2

1. Natural truths are different for everyone (re experience etc).
2. Measurement does not measure underlying truths, but we are measuring something.

Question 3

What is constructivism re:

1. Social constructivism?
2. Post-modernism?
3. Meta-modernism?

Answer 3

1. Meaning exists between people, people are defined by their relations with one another.
2. Truth exists in a time and context alone.
3. Own reaction to truths, reactions define self with truth ontologies.

Question 4

What are the 2 reasons we need to consider philosophical perspectives?

Explain.

Answer 4

1. Conceptual
2. Practical.

Conceptual = when creating a system to discuss people we need to consider what the point of the system is and what the outcome of the system is.

Practical = what is the point in doing this? Wide ranges of uses for PID require a wide range of considerations i.e., realism etc.

Question 5

What is abnormality determined as?

Deviations of what?

Answer 5

Deviations from…

1. Statistical norms
2. Cultural norms
3. Developmental norms
4. Expected behaviour
5. The desired functional life.

Question 6

When is typical testing used?

Answer 6

For personality traits.
Most of the population are averaging with few outliers, there is no value judgement to scores.
e.g., personality, customer reviews.

Question 7

When is maximal testing used?

Answer 7

For performance or ability.
Population may be normally distributed, clear outcome anchors.
e.g., IQ, driving skills.

Question 8

Why can defining a difference between ability and personality be difficult ontologically?

Answer 8

1. If it can be tested with a maximal test, it is considered an ability.
2. Abilities and personalities are long term stable BUT both are trainable.
3. Abilities and personalities interact i.e., sports and schooling.
4. Both can be independent atypicality may affect one but not the other.

Question 9

General personality research:

What did Soto (2019) find regarding reliability and generalisability of results?

What is the conclusion?

Answer 9

Reliability - 87% of 78 personality findings replicate.

Generalisability (consistency in personality-outcome effects:

• 96% genere concordance
• 88% young vs older adults
• 93% minority/majority ethnicity concordance

Conclusion is that traits are more powerful (37%) than demographic (1%) details.