Midterm Two

Question 1

What is a Trait?

Answer 1

Definition: An adjective (sometimes a noun) describing characteristic ways people differ.
Characteristics: Traits are generally stable across situations and time.
Examples: Shy, happy, organized, punctual

Question 2

Key Elements of Traits

Answer 2

Traits are personal (internal), not situational.
Traits show consistency across similar situations (e.g., friendly people are friendly in multiple settings).
Traits are stable over time and represent universal dimensions, allowing comparisons.
Traits describe but don’t explain behavior; they generalize specific behavior without summarizing it

Question 3

Purpose of trait taxonomies

Answer 3

To organize traits into meaningful frameworks

Question 4

Eysenck’s Model

Answer 4

Eysenck’s Theoretical Approach: Based on biology, consisting of three main factors (PEN):
Psychoticism (related to testosterone) – Antisocial behavior, risk-taking.
Extraversion (linked to baseline arousal) – Sociable, active.
Neuroticism (related to nervous system response) – Anxious, harder to return to calm state

Question 5

Criticisms of PEN Model

Answer 5

Not all-inclusive; other studies show more than three factors.
Labeling issues with psychoticism; some sub-traits don’t fit well

Question 6

The Five-Factor Model (FFM) / Big Five Traits

Answer 6

Openness: Curious, unconventional, creative; values novelty.
Conscientiousness: Orderly, disciplined; linked to success in academics and relationships.
Extraversion: Sociable, exuberant; seeks social attention and leadership roles.
Agreeableness: Caring, considerate; resolves conflicts, is well-liked.
Neuroticism: Emotional instability; mood swings, difficulty managing stress.

Question 7

Limitations of Big Five

Answer 7

Missing dimensions: Religiosity/spirituality, honesty/humility (addressed by HEXACO model)

Question 8

Mischel’s Critique

Answer 8

Personality doesn’t predict behavior well; people’s actions vary widely by situation

Question 9

Personality Psychology’s Response to Mischel’s Critique

Answer 9

Traits predict behavior over the long term.
Use aggregation (averaging behaviors) for accurate predictions.
Traits show consistency across time relative to other people.
Resolution: Both personality and situation are key predictors; strong situations override personality, while weak situations allow personality to guide behavior.

Question 10

Two Metrics for Stability

Answer 10

Mean-Level Change: Comparing average trait levels over time (e.g., conscientiousness increases with age).
Rank-Order Stability: Consistency of trait ranking within a group over time.

Question 11

Why Does Personality Change or Remain Stable

Answer 11

Influences include environmental stability, cognitive development, and person-environment transactions.
Plaster Hypothesis: Personality stabilizes by age 30.
Contextualist Perspective: Personality emerges from person-environment interactions