Personality

Question 1

What is trait theory?

Answer 1

All behaviour is innate and genetically programmed

Question 2

What are the characteristics of traits?

Answer 2

Stable
Enduring
Consistent in all situations

Question 3

How is trait theory depicted? (Equation)

Answer 3

Behaviour = function of personality

Question 4

What are the three drawbacks to trait theory?

Answer 4

It does not take into account stimulations causing change in behaviour at different moments.
It states that behaviour is at all times predictable
It does not consider environmental influences in the shaping of the personality

Question 5

What are the two theories related to the trait perspective?

Answer 5

Personality types (Eysenck and Cattell)
Narrow band theory Type A and Type B (Girdano)

Question 6

In the personality types theory what are the four primary personality types?

Answer 6

Extrovert
Introvert
Neurotic
Stable

Question 7

What are the characteristics of an extrovert?

Answer 7

Affiliates well to others
Outgoing, gregarious and sociable
Becomes aroused more slowly than introverts
Has lower sensitivity of the reticular activating system

Question 8

What are the characteristics of an introvert?

Answer 8

Tends to be shy and reserved
Prefers isolation from others
Becomes aroused more quickly than extroverts
Has high sensitivity of the reticular activating system

Question 9

What are the characteristics of someone who is neurotic?

Answer 9

Displays extreme and unpredictable emotions in the form of mood swings
Their moods are unreliable
They experience high degrees of stress
Their recovery from stress is slow

Question 10

What are the main characteristics of someone who is stable?

Answer 10

Displays predictable emotions in appropriate situations
Their moods are predictable
They tend not to experience intense stress
Their recovery from stress is rapid

Question 11

What is the reticulating activating system?

Answer 11

Introverts are more easily aroused due to the sensitivity of an area in the brain called the RAS. There is a greater likelihood that with increased stimulation the introvert will become over-aroused.

Question 12

What are the characteristics of a type A personality?

Answer 12

Highly competitive
Works fast
Strong desire to succeed
Likes control
Prone to suffer stress

Question 13

What are the characteristics of a type B personality?

Answer 13

Non-competitive
Works more slowly
Lacking in desire to succeed
Does not enjoy control
Less prone to stress

Question 14

What is the social learning perspective proposed by Bandura?

Answer 14

All behaviour is learned. Personality is therefore not genetically programmed.

Question 15

What two processes are involved in social learning?

Answer 15

The behaviour of others is imitated through observation

New behaviour is acquired after observation, only when it is endorsed through societal reinforcement.

Question 16

What are the four conditions which support social learning?

Answer 16

The role model is powerful and authoritative
The observer and role model are of the same gender
When observed the behaviour is demonstrated by a significant other or role model of a high status
When the observer wants to adopt the norms and values of a new culture

Question 17

Who created the interactivity approach to learning?

Answer 17

Hollander

Question 18

What is the interactionist approach?

Answer 18

Personality is modified and behaviour is formed when genetically inherited traits are triggered by an environmental circumstance.

Question 19

Hollander proposed that personality has three levels that interact to form personality. What are these?

Answer 19

Physiological core
Typical responses
Role-related behaviour

Question 20

What is the psychological core?

Answer 20

This is the most internal of the personality levels. It is thought to be the true self

Question 21

What is the typical response?

Answer 21

Typical responses are changeable and learned behaviours. They become modified as the person responds to the environment.

Question 22

What is role-related behaviour?

Answer 22

This is the most external of the personality levels.

It is the level that is dynamic and most changeable

Question 23

What is interaction theory depicted as? ( equation )

Answer 23

Behaviour = function of personality x environment

Question 24

How does the interactionist approach support the idea that personality is unpredictable?

Answer 24

The interactionist view supports the claim that typical responses emerge in accordance with changing environmental situations.

Question 25

Define personality profiling.

Answer 25

A system which classifies an individual into a particular personality type.

Question 26

How can personality profiling be used in BAHL?

Answer 26

To identify traits that can be used by a psychologist to recommend participation in sport or physical activity

Question 27

What type of personality can be altered through exercise?

Answer 27

Type A. The patterns of behaviour that may be linked to stress can be altered through exercise.

Question 28

What does exercise and increased levels of fitness result in?

Answer 28

Higher self esteem.

Question 29

What are the seven limitations to profiling in sport?

Answer 29

Proof
Evidence
Subjectivity
Invalidity 
Modification
Reliability
Stereotyping