Personality

Question 1

What is personality?

Answer 1

Personality is the unique combination of patterns in a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that persists over time and across situations. It encompasses the traits and characteristics that differentiate one individual from another

Question 2

What are the 5 dimensions for personality? (OCEAN)

Answer 2

The five dimensions of personality, often referred to by the acronym

OCEAN, are:

Openness

Characteristics: People high in openness are curious, and open to new experiences. They’re more likely to be creative and open to exploring

Agreeableness

Characteristics: This trait features attributes like kindness, trustworthiness, and cooperativeness. People high in agreeableness are more likely to get along with others, show empathy

Neuroticism

Characteristics: Individuals high in neuroticism tend to experience emotional instability, anxiety, moodiness, irritability, and sadness more frequently and intensely than others. They’re more prone to experiencing negative emotions and can be sensitive to stress.

Conscientiousness

Characteristics: This trait involves high levels of thoughtfulness,desire for achievemnt. People high in conscientiousness tend to be organized, mindful of details, and capable of planning ahead. They’re reliable and diligent.

Extraversion

Characteristics: Extraverted individuals are sociable and confident, and love being in preces of others and get along well with multiple individuals.

Question 3

What is the model of personality and what way can you measure these personality dimensions?

Answer 3

The five-factor model (the big five) - self report type of assessment.
Big 5 inventory

Question 4

What important outcomes dos personality predict (individual and social outcomes?

Answer 4

1. Career Success and Job Performance
   Conscientiousness is consistently linked with higher job performance across various occupations. It predicts diligence, reliability, and the ability to set and achieve goals.
   Extraversion can be advantageous in roles that require teamwork, leadership, and frequent interpersonal interactions.
   Barrick et al 2001
2. Relationships and Social Interactions
   Agreeableness is associated with better social relationships, more satisfying interpersonal interactions, and is often predictive of prosocial behavior.
   Extraversion predicts social engagement and satisfaction with social relationships.
   Neuroticism and low agreeableness have shown to be predictors of negative relationship outcomes.
   Bradbury 1995
3. Academic Achievement
   Conscientiousness has been linked to higher academic achievement due to traits like diligence, organization, and perseverance.
4. Health and Longevity
   Conscientiousness has been correlated with healthier lifestyles, better stress management, and, in some studies, a longer lifespan.
   High Neuroticism may predict poorer mental health outcomes, such as a higher risk of depression and anxiety disorders.
   Goodwin et al 2006
   examined personality and health in North Americans and found that
   -Conscientiousness is associated with reduced physical and mental health risk
   -Neuroticism is associated with increased physical and mental health risk
5. Well-being and Life Satisfaction
   Neuroticism tends to be negatively associated with overall well-being and life satisfaction, whereas Extraversion and Conscientiousness often show positive correlations.
6. Leadership Potential
   Extraversion is one of the traits most strongly associated with leadership emergence and effectiveness, possibly due to its link with assertiveness and social dominance.
7. Adaptability and Coping
   Openness to Experience may predict how well individuals adapt to change and cope with new experiences. It’s associated with creativity and flexibility.

Low agreeableness, and low conscientiousness associated with substance abuse Roberts 2004

Question 5

How can personality be assessed?

Answer 5

-self assessement - These are questionnaires where individuals respond to statements or questions about themselves. Responses are used to assess various personality traits or types

-behavioural observations This method involves observing an individual’s behavior in various situations. It can provide insights into personality traits and how they manifest in real-world settings.

-interviewing Structured or semi-structured interviews can be used to explore various aspects of personality, including experiences, attitudes, and emotional responses.