Nature vs Nurture Flashcards
What words are associated with the Nature side of the debate?
- Introvert / Extrovert
- Type A or Type B
- Traits
What words are associated with the nurture side of the debate?
- Social learning
- Environment
- Observation
What are characteristics of type A?
- Impatient
- Intolerant
- Prone to stress and anxiety
What are the characteristics of type B?
- Relaxed
- Tolerant of others
- Calm
What is state anxiety?
Anxiety felt in a specific situation
What are the two spectrums for Eysenck’s personality traits?
- Stable –> Unstable
- Extrovert –> Introvert
What does stable mean?
Unchangeable, remaining constant and predictable (eg someone who is anxious will be in many situations)
What does unstable mean?
Changeable and unpredictable (neurotic). Someone may be anxious only in certain situations
What is an introvert?
Prefers to be alone and is good at concentrating
What is an extrovert?
Seeks social situations, excitement and lacks concentrations
What does RAS stand for?
Reticular Activating System
What is the Reticular Activating System?
Extroverts have an RAS that inhibits external stimuli, so they seek stimulation
What is social learning theory?
Personality is shaped by significant others and influenced by the environment
What is interactionist theory?
Suggests we are born with traits that can be modified. Explains why personalities can change.
What are the stages of Hollander’s theory?
- Role related behaviours (school etc)
- Typical responses (day-to-day)
- Psychological core (the real you)
How do the effects of the environment relate to Hollander’s theory?
The effects of the environment impact the inner layers less but can impact the outer layers a lot
What are attitudes?
Feelings, beliefs and values that predispose someone to behave in a certain way
What are attitudes directed towards?
An attitude object
What factors impact on attitudes?
- Peer group
- Conditioning
- Social learning
- Familiarity
How can peer groups impact on attitudes?
An acceptance of a given group’s attitudes results in the gaining of identity
How can conditioning impact on attitudes?
Rewards will strengthen existing attitudes
How can social learning impact on attitudes?
Significant others and role models are performers of an attitude, setting examples
How can familiarity impact on attitudes?
The more an attitude object is experienced, the more likely a positive attitude will form.
What can form positive attitudes?
- Enjoyable experiences
- Being good at a given task
- Using sport as a stress relief
- Influence of others where participation is the norm
What can form negative attitudes?
- Past bad experiences
- Injuries
- Fear of taking part
- Influence of others where participation is not the norm
What is the triadic model composed of?
- Cognitive component (what we know)
- Effective component (how we feel)
- Behavioural component (how we behave)
What is persuasive communication?
An active, non-coercive attempt to influence attitudes (persuader, receiver and message)`
What matters for the persuader in persuasive communication?
- STATUS with receiver
- POPULARITY amongst a group
- CREDIBILITY from past experiences
- SOCIAL BACKGROUND
What matters for the message being received in persuasive communication?
- ACCURACY of message
- CONFIDENCE and ENTHUSIASM
- CLARITY of message
- FACTUAL and appealing to intellect
What matters for the receiver in persuasive communication?
- READINESS to interpret message
- How STRONGLY HELD the current attitude is
- MOTIVATED or open to change?
What does cognitive dissonance theory state?
Individuals like to be consistent in what they see, feel and how they behave.
What does cognitive dissonance theory result in?
Contradictory thoughts about something, causing an attitude relating to the triadic model
What can contradictory thoughts result in?
Tension
Give an example of tension due to contradictory throughts
A rugby player believes aerobics are feminine. The coach tells him fit people do aerobics. This creates a challenge of beliefs and tension, possibly adapting the attitude
What are the three aspects of the triadic model?
- Cognitive
- Effective
- Behavioural
What aspect of the triadic model is challenged to change attitudes?
The cognitive element
When can persuasive communication fail to adapt attitudes?
When it is met by firmly held beliefs
Give some examples of a focused cognitive approach to adapting attitudes
- Pointing out health benefits
- Using role model examples
- Using reinforcement
- Attributing reasons for success
What is arousal?
A state of readiness
What does Drive theory look like?
A straight, positive line
What does drive theory state?
There is low performance at low arousal and higher performance under high arousal, Experienced athletes perform better. Performance = f(habit x drive)
Give two advantages of drive theory?
Explains why novices need simple tasks and low arousal.
Explains why elite athletes perform well under pressure
Explains why people often perform well under higher arousal
What does inverted U theory look like?
A mound up and then back down
What does Inverted U theory state?
Performance increases with arousal until optimum point. This point shifts for different individuals.
What factors does inverted U theory account for?
- Task Type (simple, gross, fine, complex)
- Personality (introverts, extroverts)
- Stage of learning
- Experience
Why do extroverts perform better at high arousal?
They have a less sensitive RAS and seek to stimulate it