Personality Flashcards
Define ‘personality’
Hollander - “Personality is the sum total of an individual’s characteristics which make a human unique’.
Pervin (1993) - “Personality represented those characteristics of the person that account for consistent patterns of behaviour”.
Identify the three views on personality development
Trait Perspective
Social Learning Perspective
Interactionist Approach
Describe the trait perspective of personality
Trait theory of personality suggests that personality is made up from a range of traits that are inherited from parental genes.
This theory maintains that all behaviour is innate and genetically programmed. Traits are though to be stable, enduring and consistent in all situations.
What is meant by the term trait?
A single characteristic of personality that is believed to be a natural force causing an individual to behave in a predicted way. For example, aggression, competition, ambition.
Identify the drawbacks of the trait approach to personality
In reality, behaviour is not always predictable.
It does not account for the fact that people adapt their behaviour in different situations.
It does not take into account the influence of the environment or other people have.
Describe Eysenck’s four primary personality types
Eysenck proposed the existence of four personality types split into quadrants - Introvert, Extrovert, Neurotic, Stable. He later (1975) introduced a third scale called 'psychoticism'. This was a measure of 'tough-mindedness'. The test was called Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire (EPQ).
What is meant by the term ‘tough-minded’?
This term describes qualities such as the ability to cope with competitive pressure and the readiness to return to competition after failure. (Middleton, 2004)
Describe the personality type of an EXTROVERT
Affiliate well to other people
Outgoing and sociable
Become aroused more slowly than introverts
Low sensitivity of the reticular activating system (RAS)
Describe the personality type of an INTROVERT
Tend to be shy and reserved
Prefer isolation from others
Become aroused more quickly than extroverts
High sensitivity of the reticular activating system (RAS)
Describe the personality type NEUROTIC
Display extreme and unpredictable emotions (mood swings)
Moods are unreliable
Experience high degrees of stress
Recovery from stress is low
Describe the personality type STABLE
Display predictable emotions in appropriate situations
Moods are predictable
Tend not to experience intense stress
Recovery from stress is rapid
Explain the Reticular activating system
This is an area of the brain that is more sensitive in introverts causing easy arousal.
Define AROUSAL
A physical and mental state of preparedness.
Describe narrow band theory
Girdano was another trait theorist who proposed that there are two distinct personality types - Type A and Type B.
Compare and contrast Girdano’s Type A and Type B characteristics
Type A = highly competitive, works fast, strong desire to succeed, likes control, prone to suffer stress
Type B = Non-competative, works more slowly, lacking in desire to succeed, does not enjoy control, less prone to stress.
Analyse the term ‘Social Learning Theory’
Psychologists such a s Bandura propose that, in direct contrast to trait theory, that all behaviour is learned. Learning occurs through environmental experiences and the influence of other people. It is often termed ‘vicarious’ learning.
Define VICARIOUS
Learning by watching the performance of another person.
Identify conditions that support social learning theory
Role model is powerful and authoritative
Observer and role model are same gender
When observed behaviour is demonstrated by a significant other e.g. role model
When observer wants to adopt norms and values of a new culture e.g. when joining a new team
Identify the drawbacks of social learning theory
It does not take into account genetically inherited factors
Analyse the term ‘Interactionist Theory’
Modern thinking has moved away from more extreme trait theories. Gill (2000) suggests that most personality psychologists prefer the interactionist theories. This theory proposes that behaviour occurs from the influence of inherited traits and learned experiences.
Explain the three levels that interact to form personality as identified by Hollander (1967)
1 Psychological Core - the true self, difficult to research but stable and relatively constant over time.
- Typical Responses - These are changeable and learned behaviours, modified in response to environmental factors.
- Role-related Behaviour - External, dynamic and changeable. An individual may adjust to fulfil many different roles in one day!
Define the term ‘personality profile’
An overall assessment of an individuals personality. Questionnaires, interviews and observations can be used to create a personality profile.
Identify limitations of personality profiling
Proof - links between personality and sporting performance can not be proven.
Evidence - no evidence that an ideal sports personality exists.
Modification - Performer may modify/adjust behaviour
Reliability - Performers may not answer questions accurately
Subjectivity - results are influenced by personal opinion.
