Lecture2 - personality theories

Question 1

What is the difference between a state, a trait, and a type?

Answer 1

A state is temporary and depends on the situation/motive: feeling angry

A trait is a relatively stable characteristic typical of the individual, unlikely to change, it guides frequent behavior. On a large continuum

A type is a discrete category of characteristics

Question 2

Who is one of the figures of the history of trait approach?

Answer 2

William sheldon (1899-1977) introduced somatypes and early psychometrics

Question 3

What are psychometric tests, definition?

Answer 3

Psychometric tests are the scientific method used to measure individuals’ mental capabilities and behavioural styles.

Question 4

What are the two approaches to discover different traits? Define each

Answer 4

The lexical approach: Traits are proposed on the basis of words or concepts found in language. Small amount of words to describe common personality traits.

Factor analysis: Statistical analysis of clusters of behaviours that are correlated with one an other. Cluster of characteristics form a trait.

Question 5

What did GORDON ALLPORT bring to the field?

Answer 5

Gordon allport established trait approach using the lexical approach as methodology.

Found 18,000 words related to personality then reduced these to 4500 enduring trait terms.

Proposed three kind of personal dispositions:
CARDINAL disposition
CENTRAL dispositions:
SECONDARY dispositions

Question 6

CARDINAL disposition
CENTRAL dispositions:
SECONDARY dispositions

DEFINE and cite who proposed these

Answer 6

Gordon allport 1937

• CARDINAL disposition: Dominate and shape behaviour
• CENTRAL dispositions: 5-10 traits that describe the individual focus on how they come together
• SECONDARY dispositions : preferences, only emerges in specific situations

Question 7

Describe Raymond Catell ‘s contribution

Answer 7

He reduced the 4500 words of allport to 171 clusters, used factor analysis to identify 16 behaviour factors, resulted in the CATELL’S PERSONALITY FACTOR QUESTIONAIRE (The 16PF)

Question 8

Hans Eysenck contribution/theory :

Answer 8

Eysenck identified three super traits :
-> EXTRAVERSION, NEUROTICISM, PSYCHOTICISM

Our specific responses make up habitual responses that makeup traits

Question 9

Cite a biological theory of personality

Answer 9

GRAY proposed the BAS / BIS model (behavioural approach system and behavioural inhibition system) that are based on reward and punishment

BAS = seeks reward
BIS = avoid punishment

Question 10

Who introduced the five-factor model and describe

Answer 10

McRae & Costa : simplified cattell’s variables to FIVE recurrent factors:

The big five = OCEAN = Openeness - Conscientiousness - Extraversion - Agreeableness - Neuroticism

Robust evidence, many variations possible, but does not examine Intra/inter personnel, only groups.