Personality

Question 1

Define ‘personality’

Answer 1

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”.

Question 2

Identify the three views on personality development

Answer 2

Trait Perspective
Social Learning Perspective
Interactionist Approach

Question 3

Describe the trait perspective of personality

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What is meant by the term trait?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Identify the drawbacks of the trait approach to personality

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Describe Eysenck’s four primary personality types

Answer 6

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).

Question 7

What is meant by the term ‘tough-minded’?

Answer 7

This term describes qualities such as the ability to cope with competitive pressure and the readiness to return to competition after failure. (Middleton, 2004)

Question 8

Describe the personality type of an EXTROVERT

Answer 8

Affiliate well to other people
Outgoing and sociable
Become aroused more slowly than introverts
Low sensitivity of the reticular activating system (RAS)

Question 9

Describe the personality type of an INTROVERT

Answer 9

Tend to be shy and reserved
Prefer isolation from others
Become aroused more quickly than extroverts
High sensitivity of the reticular activating system (RAS)

Question 10

Describe the personality type NEUROTIC

Answer 10

Display extreme and unpredictable emotions (mood swings)
Moods are unreliable
Experience high degrees of stress
Recovery from stress is low

Question 11

Describe the personality type STABLE

Answer 11

Display predictable emotions in appropriate situations
Moods are predictable
Tend not to experience intense stress
Recovery from stress is rapid

Question 12

Explain the Reticular activating system

Answer 12

This is an area of the brain that is more sensitive in introverts causing easy arousal.

Question 13

Define AROUSAL

Answer 13

A physical and mental state of preparedness.

Question 14

Describe narrow band theory

Answer 14

Girdano was another trait theorist who proposed that there are two distinct personality types - Type A and Type B.

Question 15

Compare and contrast Girdano’s Type A and Type B characteristics

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Analyse the term ‘Social Learning Theory’

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Define VICARIOUS

Answer 17

Learning by watching the performance of another person.

Question 18

Identify conditions that support social learning theory

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Identify the drawbacks of social learning theory

Answer 19

It does not take into account genetically inherited factors

Question 20

Analyse the term ‘Interactionist Theory’

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Explain the three levels that interact to form personality as identified by Hollander (1967)

Answer 21

1 Psychological Core - the true self, difficult to research but stable and relatively constant over time.

2. Typical Responses - These are changeable and learned behaviours, modified in response to environmental factors.
3. Role-related Behaviour - External, dynamic and changeable. An individual may adjust to fulfil many different roles in one day!

Question 22

Define the term ‘personality profile’

Answer 22

An overall assessment of an individuals personality. Questionnaires, interviews and observations can be used to create a personality profile.

Question 23

Identify limitations of personality profiling

Answer 23

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.