Lecture 2

Question 1

What is a “good” theory in personality psych?

Answer 1

Should be comprehensive, testable, provide heuristic valve,. Be parsimonious (not influenced ) and be compatible withother theories,

Question 2

What is reliability in personality measures?

Answer 2

Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure.
A reliable personality measure should yield the same results upon testing.

Question 3

What is the difference between experimental and correlational research methods?

Answer 3

Experimental involves manipulating variables to determine correlational examines relationships between variables without manipulation.

Question 4

What is “test data” in descriptive methods?

Answer 4

Involves assessing abilities, cognitions, motivations, or behaviors, by observing in a test situation, which can include written, physical, experimental, or psychological tests.

Question 5

What did Megargee’s 1969 study on dominance demonstrate?

Answer 5

Study found that in co-ed pairs, even if the female was high in dominance and the male was low, the male still typically assumed leadership roles.

Question 6

What is the significance of “projective techniques” in test data?

Answer 6

Projective techniques, such as the Rorschach test, reveal unconscious aspects of a persons personality by interpreting their perception of ambiguous stimuli (such as inkblots; vague pictures or scenarios)

Question 7

What are Freud’s two basic instincts?

Answer 7

1. Life instinct (Eros): related to self-preservation and sexual desires
2. Death instinct (Thanatos): related to aggression and destruction.

Question 8

What is the concept of “psychological determinism” according to Freud?

Answer 8

It is the idea that all thoughts, feelings, and actions are driven by unconscious motives, primarily derived from biological drives like sex and aggression.

Question 9

What is a Freudian Slip?

Answer 9

It is an unintentional error in speech, though to be caused by the intrusion of unconscious thoughts into conscious expression.

Question 10

What are the levels of consciousness in Freud’s model?

Answer 10

Freud’s levels of consciousness are

1. Conscious: current awareness
2. Pre-conscious: easily accessible but not currently in awareness
3. Unconscious: repressed thoughts, desires, and instincts

Question 11

What are the three parts of Freud’s structural model of personality?

Answer 11

1. Id : The source of instructual drives, following the pleasure principle
2. Ego: The rational part, following the reality principle
3. Superego: The moral conscience, internalizing societal rules

Question 12

What is the “talking cure”?

Answer 12

Developed by Freud and Breuer, is a therapeutic technique where patients discuss their symptoms to uncover repressed psychological conflicts, leading to catharsis (release emotion)and symptom relief.

Question 13

What are defense mechanisms in frauds theory?

Answer 13

Defense mechanisms are un conscious strategies used by the ego to protect against anxiety by distorting reality. Eg. Repression, denial, and projection

Question 14

What are Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Development ?

Answer 14

1. Oral Stage (0-18 months)
2. Anal Stage (18 months - 3 years)
3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years)
4. Latency Stage (6 years - puberty)
5. Genitalia Stage (puberty - adulthood)

Freud believed that fixation occurs when there is an unresolved conflict during a stage, leading to certain personality traits or behaviors in adulthood.

Question 15

What does LOTS of data stand for in personality research?

Answer 15

L-data, Life outcome date
O-data, Observer report data
T-data, Test data
S-data, Self-report data

Question 16

What is the case study method in personality research?

Answer 16

An intensive examination of an individual or small group, often using interviews, the history records, and personal documents.

Question 17

What are some observable behaviors used to measure shyness?

Answer 17

Lack of eye contact, pacing, trembling, or shuttle food, excessive hand movements, stammering speech, tense facial muscles

Question 18

How can physiological measures assess shyness?

Answer 18

Include monitoring heart rate, skin conductance, cortisol levels, and brain activity during social interactions.

Question 19

What is test-retest reliability?

Answer 19

It refers to the consistency of a tests results when administered on different occasions

Question 20

What is face validity?

Answer 20

It refers to whether a test appears, on the surface, to measure what it claims to measure. Eg. Direct questions about shyness “I find it difficult to talk to strangers”

Question 21

What is face validity?

Answer 21

It refers to whether a test appears, on the surface, to measure what it claims to measure. Eg. Direct questions about shyness “I find it difficult to talk to strangers”

Question 22

What is predictive validity?

Answer 22

Is the extent to which a test predicts outcomes or behaviors that it should theoretically be related to. Eg. If SAT scores are shown to correlate with GPA, then SAT has good predictive validity in that context.

Question 23

What is denial?

Answer 23

• Refusing to acknowledge a painful or uncomfortable reality
• Convincing oneself that a negative event did not occur or isn’t serious
• Example: A person diagnosed with a serious illness insisting they are perfectly healthy

Question 24

What is displacement?

Answer 24

Redirecting emotions from a threatening target to a safer substitute

Example: Yelling at a family member after having a bad day at work

Question 25

What is projection?

Answer 25

• Attributing one’s own unacceptable qualities or feelings to someone else
• Example: Accusing others of being dishonest when you struggle with honesty