Lecture 2 - Personality Traits (Chapter 2) Flashcards
What is the nomothetic paradigm?
Assumes that individual differences can be described, explained and predicted in terms of pre-defined attributes.
What is the idiographic paradigm?
Assumes that individuals are unique and that two separate people cannot be described using the same concepts or terms.
Psychodynamic theories are based on which paradigm?
Idiographic paradigm - psychodynamic theories emphasise the unique nature of individuals’ life experiences.
What is the dispositional approach to personality?
Views personality in terms of consistent and unchanging dispositions to act, think and feel regardless of context.
What is the situational approach to personality?
Views personality in terms of unrelated states or behaviours determined by situational factors.
Dispositional approaches are naturally what paradigm, and why?
Dispositional approaches are naturally nomothetic because they describe people in the same terms.
When making distinctions based on traits, is it a nominal or ordinal difference? Why?
Ordinal because it assumes that each person has those traits, but in different quantities/extents.
When making distinctions based on types (of personalities), is it a nominal or ordinal difference? Why?
Nominal because it suggests a categorical difference.
Define ‘personality traits’.
Dynamic organisation inside the person, of psychophysical systems that create a person’s characteristic patterns of behaviour, thoughts and feelings.
Who derived the very first theory of personality and what was it called?
Hippocrates-Galen personality or temperament theory.
What was the main assumption of the Greek classification of personality types?
That biological differences formed the basis, and were the cause of, psychological differences.
How did the four different types of temperament in the Greek classification describe biological differences?
In terms of the level of specific fluids in the body.
What characteristics might someone have if they have a sanguine temperament?
Enthusiastic
Optimistic
Cheerful
Satisfied with life
What was the sanguine temperament believed to be mediated by?
The strength of blood supply.
What characteristics might someone have if they have a choleric temperament?
Aggressive
Volatile
Temperamental
What was the choleric temperament believed to be mediated by?
The level of ‘yellow bile’, a chemical released by the gall bladder during digestion.
What characteristics might someone have if they have a phlegmatic temperament?
Calm
Relaxed
Slow-paced
What was the phlegmatic temperament believed to be mediated by?
The level of mucus.
What characteristics might someone have if they have a melancholic temperament?
Sad/depressed
Reflective
Pessimistic
What was the melancholic temperament believed to be caused by?
Malfunctioning of an organ called black bile.
What were the four temperaments assumed to exist by Greek theorists?
- Sanguine
- Choleric
- Plegmatic
- Melancholic
Eysenck conceptualised extraversion as what combination of Greek temperaments?
Sanguine and Choleric temperaments
Eysenck conceptualised introversion as what combination of Greek temperaments?
Phlegmatic and Melancholic temperaments
Eysenck conceptualised neuroticism as what combination of Greek temperaments?
Melancholic and Choleric temperaments
Eysenck conceptualised emotional stability as what combination of Greek temperaments?
Sanguine and Phlegmatic
What was Sheldon’s personality theory called and what did it suggest?
Somatotype theory - suggested that psychological dispositions and patterns of behaviour are associated with physical features.
What are the 3 personality types proposed by Sheldon’s personality theory?
Endomorphic, mesomorphic and ectomorphic.
According to Sheldon’s somatotype theory, what traits do endomorphic people have?
Sociable
Peaceful
Tolerant
Generally overweight
According to Sheldon’s somatotype theory, what traits do mesomorphic people have?
Assertive
Proactive
Vigorous
Muscular
According to Sheldon’s somatotype theory, what traits do ectomorphic people have?
Insecure
Sensitive
Quiet
Weak muscles
What did Carl Jung’s theory explain?
To explain the personal process of individuation by which the historical events of upbringing interact with universal psychological determinants.
What does the MBTI stand for?
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator