Personality 3 Flashcards
trait theories
less concerned with explanation for personality development and changing personality
describing personality and predicting behavior based on the that description
attempt to describe personality in terms of a person’s trait
trait
consistent, enduring way of thinking, feeling, or behaving
allport
believe traits wired into nervous system to guide one’s bx across many different situations
each person’s constellation of traits unique
cattell
surface traits and source traits
factor analysis
16 personality factor questionnaire
identify 16 source traits, later say 23
surface traits
cattell
like all port’s
represent personality characteristics easily seen by other people
source traits
cattell
more basic traits that underlie surface traits
introversion
tendency to withdraw from excessive stimulation
factor analysis
statistical technique that looks for groupings and commonalities in numerical data
16pf
cattell’s test
16 source traits seen as trait dimensions/continuums
two opposite traits at each end with range of possible degrees for each trait measurable along dimension
five factor model/big five
mccrae and costa
five dimensions, core description of human personality
only dimensions necessary to understand human bx
OCEAN/CANOE
traits independent
five factor traits
openness conscientiousness extraversion agreeableness neuroticism
openness
person’s willingness to try new things and be open to new experiences
low = maintain status quo, don’t like to change things
conscientiousness
person’s organization and motivation
high = careful about being places on time, careful with belongings, organized
low = late, take bad care of things, lazy
extraversion
jung
extraverts: outgoing and sociable
introverts: solitary, dislike being center of attention
agreeableness
basic emotional style of person
high = easy-going, friendly, pleasant
low = grumpy, crabby, hard to get along with
neuroticism
emotional instability or stability
high = excessive worriers, overanxious, moody
low = even-tempered, calm
trait-situation interaction
mischel
particular circumstances of any given situation assumed to influence way in which trait is expressed
behavioral genetics
study of how much of an individual’s personality is due to inherited traits
twin studies
minnesota twin study show identical twins more similar than fraternal in intelligence, leadership, tendency to follow rules, tendency to uphold traditional cultural expectations, nurturance, empathy, assertiveness, aggressiveness
even if twins raised in separate environments
adoption studies
genetic influences account for great deal of personality development, regardless of shared or non shared environments
genetic basis suggested for shyness
heritability
how much some trait within a population can be attributed to genetic influences
extent individual genetic variation impacts differences in observed behavior