PERSONALITY Flashcards
study of personality
The study of personas, social masks, and public image that people try to project
Also examines our ‘self’ and our ‘identity’
Our personality affects our goals how we feel, act and see ourselves and other people
No personality is identical to another
personality definition
a person’s unique, consistent pattern of thinking, feeling and acting. Personalities are stable patterns that cannot be changed easily
personality tests
Three main sources of personality assessment:
Self report tests
- Projective tests
- Personality tests
Behavioural observation
Interviews
self report tests
projective tests
Involves client responding to unstructured or ambiguous stimuli
Two main types:
1 = Rorschach Inkblot Test
Client is asked to look at ambiguous inkblot > describe what they see.
2 = Thematic apperception test (TAT)
the examinee is shown several pictures and asked to make up a story about each of the pictures (e.g. What has happened before, what will happen next, what are the characters thinking and feeling). Lets look at this pictures as an example. What do you think happened before, (ask questions again).
self report tests
personality tests
Word association tests
- Given one word > asked to report another word the client associates with that word E.g. ‘life’, ‘mother’, ‘happy’
- Length of time it takes to respond also important
Completion tests
- Examinee completes an incomplete sentence, story or picture
- May relate to emotions, attitudes or conflicts
E.g. “I am shy when……….”
Self report tests
Seeks to measure a broad range of variables
More carefully constructed and standardised than rating scales
Used to measure mental disorder and normal personality
Behaviour observation
First step > identify the ‘critical’ behaviour
Next, determine if behaviour is an excess or a deficit
Lastly, measure the frequency intensity and duration of behaviour
Sometimes checklists and rating scales are used
clinical interviews.
Gathers information about individual
Client asked to describe onset and development of their problems
Patterns and/or themes discussed
Good interviewer should be warm, genuine accepting and understanding
Open ended questions better than closed ended.
E.g. Open ended “tell me about how you get on with other people”
E.g. Closed ended “are you a difficult person to get along with?”
Tests
Strengths
Qualitative tests allow descriptive and detailed responses of thoughts and feelings, which gives a greater understanding of personality.
Quantitative test allow data to be gathered quickly to give an overall picture into personality.
Often can be quite convenient for workplaces/psychologist to get information about someone.
tests
weaknesses
May get unwanted self knowledge from results of personality tests, causing discomfort and reduce self-esteem.
Very difficult for most personality tests to be considered completely valid due to subjective nature.
PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Personalities that are outside the social norms and are associated with maladaptive behaviours , emotions and thoughts.
paranoid
persuasive distrust and suspiciousness of others and their motives; since early adulthood in a variety of contexts; beliefs re being deceived; sees hidden meanings; grudges; fidelity suspicions
Schizoid
detachment from relationships; restricted emotional expression; low engagement in sexual and social relationships
Schizotypal:
social and interpersonal deficits; eccentricities; odd beliefs and thinking; unusual perceptual experiences
Antisocial:
fails to conform with social norms; deceitfulness; impulsivity; irritability and aggressiveness; irresponsibility
