Me 4.6a Social-Cognitive and Trait Theories of Personality: Trait Theories Flashcards
traits
enduring characteristics that describe an individual’s behaviour
Example: Honesty, kindness, and reliability
Factor Analysis
a statistical method used to identify underlying relationships between variables by grouping them into factors or components
Example: Using questionnaires to assess where individuals fall on each of the Big Five traits
personality inventory
a questionnaire (often with true- false or agree-disagree items) on which people respond to items designed to gauge a wide range of feelings and behaviours; used to assess selected personality traits.
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
the most widely researched and clinically used of all personality tests. Originally developed to identify emotional disorders (still considered its most appropriate use), this test is now used for many other screening purposes.
empirically derived test
The process of testing a hypothesis through real-world observation
a test (such as the MMPI) created by selecting from a pool of items those that discriminate between groups.
Big Five factors
five traits — openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism —that describe personality. (Also called the five- factor model.)
Agreeableness
Tendency to be compassionate and cooperative
Example: Being helpful and trusting
Openness to Experience
Willingness to try new things and be open to new experiences
Example: Enjoying art, adventure, and new ideas
Extraversion
Tendency to be outgoing and energetic
Example: Seeking out social interactions
Neuroticism (emotional stability vs. instability)
Tendency to experience negative emotions
Example: Being calm and resilient versus anxious and moody
Conscientiousness
tendency to be organised, responsible, and hardworking
Example: Being diligent and disciplined
person-situation controversy
debates whether personality traits or situational factors are more influential in determining behaviour
