Module 7 1A Flashcards
Module 7 Individual differences traits and dispositions - Allport
Allport: blends psychodynamic, humanistic, gestalt, and behavioral ideas.
Traits shaped by conscious choices, not unconscious forces.
People proactive, motivated by change.
Growth possible at any age.
Heredity, experiences, society influence, but choice matters.
Limited freedom: free will exists, but some make better choices.
Cardinal Characteristics:
Barack Obama: Charismatic
Beyoncé: Empowering
Taylor Swift: Authentic
Close friend: Loyal
One word for personality:
Simplifies but misses complexity.
Describing yourself in one word:
Hard, but easier to pick a key trait.
Gordon Allport:
Born 1897, Montezuma, Indiana.
Brother Floyd was also a psychologist.
Harvard grad (1919), Ph.D. in psychology (1922).
Studied in Europe with top psychologists.
Taught at Harvard (1924), married Ada Lufkin Gould (1925).
APA president (1939), received many awards.
Uniqueness: Focused on individual traits.
Opposed Trait Theories: General traits miss individuality.
In-depth Studies: Emphasized case studies (morphogenic science).
Nomothetic: General laws of personality.
Eclectic Approach: Combines theories.
Broad Theory: Prefers comprehensive theories.
Against Particularism: Opposes focusing on one trait.
Influence: Key contributions, unclear theory.
Allport’s Q1: Defining individuality.
Personality: Dynamic psychophysical systems shaping behavior and thought.
Greek Root: “Persona” (theater masks).
49 Definitions: Found 49 definitions across fields.
Key Concepts: Dynamic, psychophysical, determine, characteristic, behavior/thought.
Conscious Motivation: Allport emphasized awareness of actions and reasons.
Self-Reports: Accepted without deep unconscious probing.
Unconscious: Acknowledged hidden motives, like compulsions from childhood.
Freud: Disagreed with Freud on unconscious vs. conscious motivation.
Healthy Person: Proactive, conscious, flexible, and autonomous.
Mature Traits: Not controlled by unconscious motives.
Childhood: Often trauma-free, but later conflicts may occur.
Age: Not required for maturity.
Extension of Self: Involved with others.
Warm Relating: Compassionate love.
Emotional Security: Self-acceptance.
Realistic Perception: In touch with reality.
Insight & Humor: Self-aware, laughs at self.
Philosophy of Life: Clear life purpose.
Inclusion of Self in Other: Measures closeness.
Identity Fusion: Greater fusion = better conflict coping.
Closeness & Well-being: Matching IOS = better well-being.
High IOS Challenges: Chronic pain impacts both partners.
Common Traits: Shared by many, measured in inventories.
Personal Dispositions: Unique traits guiding behavior, typically 10 key ones per individual.
Cardinal: Dominant traits (e.g., Narcissism), rare.
Central: Key traits (5-10), defining person.
Secondary: Less central, frequent behaviors.
Continuum: Dispositions on a scale, no person comparisons.
Motivational Dispositions: Driven by basic needs (e.g., hunger).
Stylistic Dispositions: Guide action (e.g., politeness).
Proprium: Core self traits, not all personality (e.g., habits, customs).
Motivation: Conscious, present drives, not past events.
Reactive & Proactive: Behavior is both.
Peripheral vs. Propriate:
Peripheral: Reduce needs.
Propriate: Personal goals aligned with self.
Growth: Motivation evolves; earlier theories miss change.
Functional Autonomy:
Motives become independent of original causes.
Behavior driven by present interests.
Example: A miser just likes money.
Later goals evolve (e.g., walking for confidence).
Challenges Solved:
Motives are relevant today.
Motivation is pluralistic.
Future-oriented.
Concrete and unique motives.
Allport and the Study of the Individual
Used diverse methods to study individual uniqueness.
Approaches:
Nomothetic: General laws of behavior.
Idiographic: Focus on the individual.
Morphogenic Science: Studies overall personality patterns.
Methods:
Interviews, dreams, diaries, handwriting, gestures, art, etc.
Self-Disclosure:
Valid unless the person is a child, psychotic, or defensive.
Prejudice & Contact Hypothesis
Contact Hypothesis (Allport, 1954): Reduces prejudice with:
Equal status
Common goals
Cooperation
Support from authority
Pettigrew & Tropp’s Study:
500+ studies confirm intergroup contact reduces prejudice.
Conditions are effective for various types of prejudice.
Contact improves “liking,” but less for reducing stereotypes.
Cross-group friendships are especially effective.
Fostering Intergroup Contact
Schools and communities are developing programs to reduce prejudice.
Example: Report on Diverse Schools
Questions:
Why successful?
Fosters equal status, common goals, cooperation, and support—key for reducing prejudice.
Personal experience?
(Reflect on any relevant experiences with diversity programs.)
Relation to Allport’s work?
Links to Allport’s focus on present, conscious motives, and reshaping attitudes through new, positive interactions.
Narrative Study of Lives
McAdams (2010) studies life stories, influenced by Allport’s morphogenic science.
Approach:
Focuses on patterns, motivations, and turning points using mixed methods.
Key Concepts:
Intimacy motive: Need for intimate self-sharing.
Meaning making: Insights from life events.
Autobiographical reasoning: Connecting past, present, and future in personality development.
A Story of Identity
Example quote: Personal growth and transformation after hardship (Pals, 2006).
Narrative Research
Focuses on emotional tone, structure, and enduring themes in life stories.
Pals (2006) Study:
Explored older women’s stories.
Findings:
Exploratory processing linked to openness and ego maturity.
Coherent resolutions linked to ego-resiliency and life satisfaction.
McAdams’ Redemptive Self
Quote: A story of overcoming hardship and finding meaning (McAdams, 2008).
Redemptive Self
A story used by many Americans to interpret life, including 6 components:
Early advantage
Recognition of others’ suffering
Moral depth
Redemption
Power vs. love
Future growth
Findings:
Generative adults in midlife share more redemptive stories.
