L4 - The 5 factor model of Personality Flashcards
What is the lexical hypothesis and who proposed it?
Galton (1800s)
The idea that any trait that exists has a word to describe it and so, most important individual differences tend to be coded within language (‘trait descriptors’)
Words used more frequently are more important.
Therefore, personality words used more frequently are more important personality characteristics.
What is factor analysis?
A statistical technique for data reduction
How does factor analysis work?
Factor analysis looks at the relationship between many variables and attempts to find patterns of association in a set of variables.
What is the acronym to remember the 5 factor model of personality?
O - openness
C - conscientiousness
E - extraversion
A - agreeableness
N - neuroticism
What is extraversion a measure of?
A persons’ sociability
What are those who score highly in extraversion considered to be + how are they labelled?
sociable, energetic, friendly, optimistic and assertive
labelled as extraverted
What are those who score lower in extraversion considered to be + how are they labelled?
reserved, reflective, independent and consistent
labelled as introverted.
What is neuroticism a measure of?
A persons’ emotional stability and adjustment
What are those who score highly in neuroticism expected to experience?
mood swings and volatile emotions
What are those who score lower in neuroticism considered to be?
calm, well-adjusted and emotionally stable (not prone to extreme emotions)
What does conscientiousness describe?
Our level of self-discipline and control
What are those who score highly in conscientiousness considered to be?
determined, organised, perseverant and plan for life events
What are those who score lower in conscientiousness considered to be?
careless, unreliable, and easily distracted from their goals or tasks that they’re carrying out
What does agreeableness measure?
The characteristic of an individual relation to social interaction
What are those who score highly in agreeableness considered to be?
trusting, helpful, warm-hearted and empathetic
What are those who score lower in conscientiousness considered to be?
suspicious, unfriendly, unhelpful, skeptical, argumentative and uncooperative
What is openness a measure of?
the openness of an individuals relation to social interaction
What are those who score highly in openness considered to be?
innovative and independent thinkers
What are those who score lower in conscientiousness considered to be?
more conventional and prefer similarity over new experiences
What have studies focusing on the 5 factor model indicated?
the model may have small to moderate associations between them and that personality traits can change over the life course (even though they’re relatively stable).
showed a significant genetic component to personality traits through twin studies
What is the cultural significance of the 5 factor model?
the basic structure appears across various cultures but the way these traits manifest differ –> cross-cultural studies suggest that the model predicts adolescent emotional adjustment and well-being.
(AO3) How is the description a strength of the 5 factor model?
organised personality traits into 5 broad dimensions, simplifies a myriad of human behaviours and attitudes
(AO3) How is the explanation a strength of the 5 factor model?
does well at describing typical behaviours associated with each trait
(AO3) Is the 5 factor model empirically valid?
Yes –> there’s empirical evidence to support this model
(AO3) Is the 5 factor model a testable concept?
easily measurable sue to operationalised concepts e.g., validated scales 240-item model.
(AO3) How is comprehensiveness a weakness of the 5 factor model?
misses some culturally specific or niche traits, but does capture a broad range of personality traits.
(AO3) How is parsimony a strength of the 5 factor model?
parsimonious as it condenses a vast array of personalities into 5 broad categories.
(AO3) Why does the 5 factor model have good heuristic value?
stimulated a significant amount of research in the area of personality psychology, not just to understand and expand upon it but also to critique and refine it.
(AO3) What is the applied value of the 5 factor model?
key applications in job recruitment, therapeutic settings and relationships counselling, highlighting its practical utility.
What was Kang et al.’s study on the 5 factor model?
Procedure - Analysed data from 12,007 ppts (under 16 yrs.) from the British Household Panel Study.
Findings
Neuroticism was positively related to anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Extraversion was negatively related to social dysfunction, anhedonia, anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Agreeableness and conscientiousness were negatively related to social dysfunction, anhedonia and loss of confidence
Openness was negatively related to anxiety and depressive symptoms
What was Zhu et al.’s study on the 5 factor model?
Procedure - examined the personality traits in relation to emotion regulation strategies. They found that those who scored high on extraversion tended to use more adaptive emotion regulation strategies e.g., problem solving and mindfulness.
Findings
High neuroticism was related to more maladaptive strategies (e.g., avoidance, rumination, suppression and worry).
Extraversion, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness were associated with more adaptive emotion regulation strategies, but there was also evidence of relationships of extraversion and openness with more maladaptive strategies e.g., fantasy distraction.
