PERSONALITY

Question 1

What is the definition of ‘personality’?

Answer 1

Personality is the sum of an individuals characteristics that make him unique.

Question 2

What are trait theories

Answer 2

1. Trait theories believe personality traits are innate characteristics, which are stable
2. They are highly consistent attributes, such as aggression and shyness
3. They do not believe that the situation or the environment has any bearings on a person’s behaviour
4. Trait theory attempts to predict behaviour e.g. aggressive

Question 3

What is ‘social learning theory’?

Answer 3

1. Social learning theory suggests that rather than being born with characteristics, we learn from them and from other people, especially those we hold in high esteem, such as parents and coaches
2. Behaviour changes depending on the situation and is therefore a product of our interaction with the environment
3. Personality is learned by observing, modelling and imitating behaviour, through experience

Question 4

What is the ‘interactionist approach’?

Answer 4

1. Interactionist approach recognises that the trait theory and social learning theory both have a role in determining behaviour and personality
2. It offers a more realistic explanation of personality, explaining how different behaviours are produced for different situations
3. It suggests that we base behaviour on inherent traits that we then adapt to the situation we are in.

Question 5

What is the type A personality?

Answer 5

1. Highly competitive
2. Strong desire to succeed
3. Works fast
4. Likes to be in control
5. Prone to suffer from stress.

Question 6

What is the type B personality?

Answer 6

1. Non-competitive
2. Unambitious
3. Works more slowly
4. Does not enjoy being in control
5. Less prone to stress.

Question 7

What are the personality traits?

Answer 7

1. Stable personality trait, someone who does not swing from one emotion to another buy is usually constant in emotional behaviour
2. Unstable personality trait, someone who is highly anxious and has unpredictable emotions
3. Extraversion, a person who seeks social situations and likes excitement but lacks concentration
4. Introversion, a person who does not seek social situation but likes peace and quiet and is good at concentrating.