personality Flashcards
what is personality ?
Personality is the sum total of an individual’s characteristics that make a person unique
how is an individuals personality formed according to trait theory ?
it is determined by Inherited or genetically predetermined qualities therefore:
- traits are stable, enduring and consistent in all situations
personality is therefore generalised and predictable e.g. some people are always aggressive
what are the two theories that belong to the trait perspective of personality?
- Eysenck’s Personality Types
- Gidano’s Narrow Band Theory
Eysenck’s Personality Types: what is an extrovert?
- Seeks out social situations
- Likes excitement
- Lacks concentration
- RAS that reduces the effects of external sensory stimuli
- Therefore experience low levels of arousal and arousal occurs more slowly
What is an introvert ?
- Doesn’t seek social situations
- Likes peace & quiet
- Good concentration
- RAS that heightens the effects of external sensory stimuli
- Therefore experience high levels of arousal & arousal occurs more quickly
what is a stable person ?
- tend to have a predictable temperament; may be suited to sports needing high performance
- moods are likely to be consistent
- appear calm and relaxed
- likely to be low in anxiety
- realistic, logical perception of a situation
what is an unstable (neurotic) person ?
- tend to be unpredictable in temperament; not ideal for sports participation
- moods are likely to be inconsistent (mood swings)
- prone to worry and high anxiety
- unrealistic or illogical perception of a situation
what is Psychoticism ?
This is a measure of how tender or tough-minded people are.
High Psychoticism (Psychotic)
- Tough-minded
- Takes Risks
- Non-conformist
- Unconcerned about others
Low Psychoticism (Ego Control)
- Tender or sensitive
- Warm
- Concerned about others
describe the characteristics of a Type A personality
- High Competitive Drive (strong desire to succeed)
- Likes control
- Works fast & is ambitious
- Experience high levels of stress & arousal
describe the characteristics of Type B trait personalities.
- Less competitive (lacking in desire to succeed)
- Doesn’t enjoy control
- Works more slowly & is calm under pressure
- Experience low levels of stress & can control arousal
evaluate trait theory
- Traits are poor predictors of behaviour. Because we are able to change and adapt our behaviour to suit the situation
- It doesn’t account for the fact that people can adapt their behaviour in response to changing environments for example A netball player may display leadership characteristics in response to her team losing in the final quarter of a final
- Other influences on personality & behaviour development are not considered such as Environmental factors
what is social learning theory ?
- Behaviour being imitated through observation
- Behaviour being acquired after observation but only when endorsed through social reinforcement
- Copying is more likely if the model is significant and/or if their behaviour is reinforced (vicarious reinforcement)
evaluate social learning theory ?
Positives
-Bobo doll experiment supports the idea
-There is evidence to suggest some aspects of personality are learned by watching and copying role models or others or the environment
Negatives
-Social learning theory may be viewed as too simplistic as it doesn’t account for inherited personality traits.
-Children brought up in the same way don’t always display the same personality.
-If the theory was true, we would all have the same behaviours/copy our role models/personality
describe the interactionist approach
- the interactionist approach recognises the trait theory and social theory both have a role in determining behaviour and personality
- it offer a more realistic explanation of personality explaining how different behaviours are produced for different situations
- it suggest that we base behaviour on inherent traits that we then adapt to the situation we are in
what is the Psychological Core
- Not affected by the environment
- Permanent qualities – beliefs & values
- Possibly controls & dictates behaviour
- Trait aspect of personality
- Affects the next layer
