Lecture Nov 8 Flashcards
Hans Eysenck’s theory of personality
interested in the STRUCTURE of personality
employed FACTOR ANALYSIS to identify SUPERTRAITS
Eysenck’s 3 basic personality dimensions
- extraversion-introversion
- neuroticism
- psychoticism
Eysenck’s personality divisions
specific response level (SR)
habit response level (HR)
trait level (TL)
super trait (ST)
Eysenck’s INITIAL factor analysis research yielded…
2 basic dimensions
a) extraversion-introversion
b) neuroticism
are Eysenck’s personality dimensions dependent?
no, they’re independent
means that scoring high/low on one won’t predict one’s score on another
neuroticism poles
UNSTABLE (neurotic)
STABLE
extraverts are
outgoing, impulsive, uninhibited, sociable
introverts are
quiet, introspective, reserved, distant except to intimate friends
people high on neuroticism are
unstable or highly emotional
easily upset and angered
people low on neuroticism are
less prone to emotional swings
psychoticism
3rd super trait found by Eysenck
high end: egocentric, aggressive, impersonal
Eysenck’s arguments for biological basis for personality
- CONSISTENCY of extraversion-introversion over time
- CROSS-CULTURAL research indicates 3 dimensions of personality
- GENETICS play vital role in determining a person’s PLACEMENT on the personality dimensions
2 physiological diffs that back the biological basis for personality
- sensitivity to stimulation
- sensitivity to reinforcement
sensitivity to stimulation
introverts and extraverts DIFFER in how their BRAINS respond to EMOTIONAL stimuli
introverts are QUICKLY AROUSED when exposed to external stimulation
sensitivity to reinforcement
behavioural approach system (BAS) and behavioural inhibitory system (BIS)
reinforcement sensitivity theory
reinforcement sensitivity theory
human brain has a BAS and a BIS
individuals DIFFER in the strength of these systems, and differences are STABLE ACROSS TIME
people with high BAS…
seek out and achieve pleasurable goals
get pleasure out of rewards and anticipating those rewards
people with high BIS…
are apprehensive and quick to retreat from problematic situations
experience more anxiety
temperament
general behavioural dispositions
expressed in diff ways depending on individual’s experiences
temperament’s development into personality traits depends on…
complex interplay of genetic predispositions and environment
dimensions in temperament
- emotionality
- activity
- sociability
temperament dimensions: emotionality
INTENSITY of emotional reactions
children high on emotionality frequently express anger
as adults, are easily upset and have quick temper
temperament dimensions: activity
person’s general level of ENERGY
highly active children move around a lot, prefer games requiring running and jumping
as grown-ups, are always on the go and prefer high-energy activities
temperament dimensions: sociability
general tendency to AFFILIATE and INTERACT with others
sociable children seek out other children and play
as adults, have lots of friends and enjoy social gatherings
gender diffs in temperament
GIRLS: tend to have higher EFFORTFUL CONTROL than boys
BOYS: tend to have higher SURGENCY
surgency
activity, positive emotion, impulsivity, engagement with their environment
similar to adult concept of extraversion
adult personalities are determined by…
both INHERITED TEMPERAMENT and ENVIRONMENT
temperament influences environment which in turn influences the way temperament develops into a stable personality
inhibited and uninhibited styles
are inherited biological temperaments found in kids
inhibited kids run risk of developing SOCIAL ANXIETY disorder, phobias
uninhibited kids run risk of developing DISRUPTING BEHAVIOUR DISORDERS
children can inherit a tendency to respond to unfamiliar situations with INCREASED AROUSAL…
when entering a new situation/meeting new people, many of these kids display what we typically call SHY BEHAVIOUR
how can anxiety be explained by evolutionary psychology?
anxiety is an unpleasant emotional state - normally functioning people would want to avoid it
primary cause of anxiety is SOCIAL EXCLUSION
primitive people AVOIDED behaviours that led to social exclusion, MOTIVATED by FEELINGS of ANXIETY
allowed them to survive and reproduce
