Personality Flashcards
Define personality
Personality is the sum of an individuals characteristics which make them unique
What is trait personality (not the theories)
Inherited or genetically predetermined qualities
Traits are stable, enduring and consistent in all situations
Personality or behaviour is therefore generalised and predictable
What is social learning of personality (not the theories)
Copying the behaviour of role models - Social Reinforcement
Copying is more likely if the model is significant and/or if their behaviour is reinforced
Behaviour is learned from the environment
Personality or behaviour is therefore predictable if the same situation reoccurs
What is interactionist personality (not the theories)
Interaction between personality traits and the situation/environment
Behaviour changing to the demands of the situation or environment
A combination of trait and social learning factors
Typical responses emerge from the combination of personality traits and the environment
Personality or behaviour is unpredictable
Eysenks theory
The characteristics of extroversion, introversion, stable and unstable personalities.
Measured introvert + extrovert by sensitivity of RAS
Extrovert personalities: outgoing, suited to team sports, confident, low sensitivity RAS, therefore become aroused slowly
Introvert personalities: inward focus, individual sports, lack confidence, High sensitivity RAS, therefore become aroused quickly
Stable personalities: Predictable temperament, moods are consistent, calm and relaxed, low anxiety
Unstable: unpredictable temperament, mood swings, high anxiety, illogical perception of situations
Girdanos narrow band approach
Type A or Type B
Type A: highly aroused, prone to excessive anxiety, impatient with all, works fast and ambitious, tendency towards aggression
Type B: control arousal, relax and subdue anxiety, patient
Social learning theory of personality
Behaviour = Function of Environment [B=F(E)]
Explains behaviour in terms of a persons reaction to specific situations
Believes we learn to deal with situations by observing others behaviour
Modelling/imitating others observed behaviour
New behaviours acquired only when endorsed through social reinforcement/vicarious learning
Does not take into account genetically inherited factors
Generally, behaviour which is reinforced is repeated while behaviour that is penalised is modified
2 strengths of trait personality theory
(If the theory is correct) personality/behaviour can be predicted.
(There is some evidence) personality is influenced by genetics/innate e.g. aggressive tendencies.
3 weaknesses of trait personality theory
Trait theory may be deemed to not be accurate as not likely to be just genetic input that determines our personality.
Doesn’t account for how personality seems to change in different environments if it is just based on traits/doesn’t account for upbringing/socialisation.
Identical twins who are brought up in different environments do not demonstrate the same personality therefore suggesting it’s not just traits that determine personality
2 strengths of social learning theory
Bobo doll experiment supports the idea/adds validity.
(There is evidence to suggest) some aspects of personality are learned by watching and copying (significant) others/role models/environment.
3 weaknesses of social learning theory
Social learning theory may be viewed as too simplistic as it is not likely to be just our environment that determines our personality/doesn’t account for inherited personality traits.
Children/siblings/twins brought up in the same way don’t always display the same personality.
If the theory was true we would all have the same personality/copy our role models
Interactionist theory - Lewin
Behaviour is a function of both the person personality (P) and the environment (E)
When situational factors are strong, they are more likely to affect behaviour than personality E.G. high stress in sporting situations
When situational factors are not strong, then personality is more likely to affect behaviour
Personality is modified and behaviour is formed when inherited traits are triggered by an environmental circumstance THE SITUATION THE PERSON (PERSONALITY)BEHAVIOUR
Interactionist Theories - Concentric Ring Theory (Hollander 1967)
The boundary line of each layer gets wider as you get closer to the centre of the model which shows that each layer is harder to enter. As you move closer to the centre, your ‘real’ personality begins to surface
Role Related Behaviour – Surface of Personality
Typical Response – Your usual response in most situations
The Psychological Core – The ‘real you’
Personality testing
Methods of testing: Observation and Psychometric methods: self report questionnaires (Cattel’s 16 personality factor questionnaire)
2 approaches to study of behaviour: Sceptical approach: Evidence is too general – personality alone can not predict behaviour. CREDULOUS APPROACH: Although there is a link between personality research and performance in sport, there is lack of evidence to support this.
PROBLEMS WITH THE TESTS:
Lack of accuracy, Participant honesty, The desire to create a favourable impression, Lack of objectivity, Neurotics emphasise certain traits, Ambiguous questions
The answers can be influenced by :
Personality of the tester, Time of day / month, Previous experience of a test by a subject, Participant’s mood swings, The fact that personality is too complex to be viewed in response to yes or no answers
PROFILE OF MOOD STATES (POMS)
MOOD STATE is
A better predictor of successful athletes than personality
Important aspect of personality which influences sports performance
Seen as being temporary
Inconclusive evidence whether positive mood helps success or success causes positive mood
MOODS MEASURED: Tension, Depression, Anger, Vigour, Fatigue, Confusion
Unsuccessful athletes display : Low vigour, High tension, High depression, High anger, High fatigue, High confusion
Successful athletes display : High vigour, Low tension, Low depression, Low anger, Low fatigue, Low confusion
