Lecture 3 -(second actual lecture) Getting comfortable with The Big 5 Traits September 10

Question 1

Mnemonics for extraversion

Answer 1

Energy, Enthusiasm

Question 2

Mnemonics for neuroticism

Answer 2

Negative Affect, Nervousness

Question 3

Mnemonics for openness

Answer 3

Originality, Open-Mindedness

Question 4

Mnemonics for agreeableness

Answer 4

Altruism, Affection (about being human)

Question 5

Mnemonics for Concientiousness

Answer 5

Control, Constraint

Question 6

what does McAdams say about agreeableness

Answer 6

“Agreeable people are more than nice. Agreeableness incorporates expressive qualities of love and empathy, friendliness, cooperation and care. Indeed, the term agreeable may be a bit too meek for the A domain in traits, a domain that includes such concepts as altruism, affection and many of the most admirably humane aspects of the human personality.”

Question 7

is the big five relevant all over th world

Answer 7

yes, Emergence in many languages.
Emerges across cultures.
Mean levels differ across countries.

Question 8

how does the big five change with regard to certain asian countries

Answer 8

becomes the HEXECO model

Question 9

what is the HEXECO model

Answer 9

a 6th trait is introduced-- Humility/Honesty
Humility/honesty
Emotionality (neuroticism)
Xtraversion
Concientiousness
Openness

HOWEVER some researchers think H is actually a dimension of agreeableness

Question 10

where is extraversion notabley low

Answer 10

asian countries

Question 11

how did we end up with 5 broad dimensions

Answer 11

through cultural evolution

Question 12

is there evidence of the big five in other species

Answer 12

Gosling 1999
Dogs, cats, donkeys, pigs.
Reliable individual differences in E, N, and A;
Often also find O in terms of curiosity & playfulness

Question 13

Concienciousness also appears in what anima and what does this suggest l

Answer 13

only appears in Chimpanzees, suggesting recent evolutionary history (Complex social-cognitive functions – norms, goals, impulse control
)

Question 14

in chimps, what of the big 5 broke into 2 (making the big 5, the big 6)

Answer 14

Extraversion became extraversion AND another category came– dominance

Question 15

Do the Big 5 actually predict consistencies in social emotional behavior?

Answer 15

traits can change due to situation and time– so it is in relation to other behaviours

Question 16

what two systems are related to extraversion

Answer 16

behaviour activation system (BAS) and opiod system

Question 17

the fact that extroversion is related to the BAS and the opioid system means what

Answer 17

that it is highly tied POSITIVE emotion

Question 18

Miller 1991– Experienced clinician in medium-sized city with diverse clients collected Big 5 scores on all clients and tried to see if traits could predict process and outcome of therapy.
About 120 clients, 63% female. Diverse SES,
eclectic treatment approach.

what did the research show

Answer 18

only neuroticism stood out as a predictor

Question 19

what is millers argument for the use of the big 5

Answer 19

“Trait theories such as the five-factor model can be useful to clinicians, as they provide a detailed, accurate portrait of the client’s needs, feelings, proximate motives, and interpersonal style”

Question 20

explain how miller’s argument (the big 5 is useful in providing info about clients) is helpful in three ways

Answer 20

Can anticipate and understand the client’s private experience.
Can anticipate the problems presented in treatment.
Helps you formulate a practical treatment plan and anticipate opportunities and pitfalls of it.

Question 21

what can neuroticism tell the clinician about how to approach therapy with the client

Answer 21

intensity & duration of client’s distress.

Motivate investment; Low N ≠ Defensiveness

Question 22

what can extroversion tell the clinician about how to approach therapy with the client

Answer 22

energy and enthusiasm for therapy.
Structured/Unstructured
– talk more/structure if introvert

Question 23

what can openness tell the clinician about how to approach therapy with the client

Answer 23

reactions to the therapists interventions.
Traditional/Novel
– determines what kind of techniques you can use

Question 24

what can agreeableness tell the clinician about how to approach therapy with the client

Answer 24

subjective reaction to the person of the therapist.
Therapeutic Alliance
–maybe the most important thing! #1 thing is to form an alliance with therapist to get benefits

Question 25

what can conscientiousness tell the clinician about how to approach therapy with the client

Answer 25

willingness to do the work of therapy
Homework assignments
– high consciousness more likely to do work
– show up if they don’t follow through it may not be psych. resistance just not very conscious

Question 26

what are the Common Problems using the Big 5 traits

Answer 26

1. Conflation between dimensions.

2. Concern about one’s standing on certain traits

Question 27

explain Conflation between dimensions.

Answer 27

5 dimensions derived from factor analysis, human mind cannot help but to see things as good or bad
When taking the big 5 survey, no correlation between them! They are all independent so must be weary of that…

Question 28

How do the big 5 traits relate to each other? Can you predict where someone will be on scale based off another

Answer 28

no

Question 29

neuroticism sounds bad, is there anything good about it

Answer 29

if high in this, less likely to have accidents

Question 30

if high in one (such as extroversion) does that mean you do not associate with the low end at all

Answer 30

no, there is evidence that you can still preform the opposite end traits (extroverts can still do introverted things)

Question 31

is one end of a trait more desirable than the other

Answer 31

no, there is evolutionary adaptiveness of both ends of the dimensions! Group life requires people on both ends