Personality Flashcards
What is trait theory?
All behaviour is innate and genetically programmed
What are the characteristics of traits?
Stable
Enduring
Consistent in all situations
How is trait theory depicted? (Equation)
Behaviour = function of personality
What are the three drawbacks to trait theory?
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
What are the two theories related to the trait perspective?
Personality types (Eysenck and Cattell) Narrow band theory Type A and Type B (Girdano)
In the personality types theory what are the four primary personality types?
Extrovert
Introvert
Neurotic
Stable
What are the characteristics of an extrovert?
Affiliates well to others
Outgoing, gregarious and sociable
Becomes aroused more slowly than introverts
Has lower sensitivity of the reticular activating system
What are the characteristics of an introvert?
Tends to be shy and reserved
Prefers isolation from others
Becomes aroused more quickly than extroverts
Has high sensitivity of the reticular activating system
What are the characteristics of someone who is neurotic?
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
What are the main characteristics of someone who is stable?
Displays predictable emotions in appropriate situations
Their moods are predictable
They tend not to experience intense stress
Their recovery from stress is rapid
What is the reticulating activating system?
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.
What are the characteristics of a type A personality?
Highly competitive Works fast Strong desire to succeed Likes control Prone to suffer stress
What are the characteristics of a type B personality?
Non-competitive Works more slowly Lacking in desire to succeed Does not enjoy control Less prone to stress
What is the social learning perspective proposed by Bandura?
All behaviour is learned. Personality is therefore not genetically programmed.
What two processes are involved in social learning?
The behaviour of others is imitated through observation
New behaviour is acquired after observation, only when it is endorsed through societal reinforcement.
What are the four conditions which support social learning?
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
Who created the interactivity approach to learning?
Hollander
What is the interactionist approach?
Personality is modified and behaviour is formed when genetically inherited traits are triggered by an environmental circumstance.
Hollander proposed that personality has three levels that interact to form personality. What are these?
Physiological core
Typical responses
Role-related behaviour
What is the psychological core?
This is the most internal of the personality levels. It is thought to be the true self
What is the typical response?
Typical responses are changeable and learned behaviours. They become modified as the person responds to the environment.
What is role-related behaviour?
This is the most external of the personality levels.
It is the level that is dynamic and most changeable
What is interaction theory depicted as? ( equation )
Behaviour = function of personality x environment
How does the interactionist approach support the idea that personality is unpredictable?
The interactionist view supports the claim that typical responses emerge in accordance with changing environmental situations.
Define personality profiling.
A system which classifies an individual into a particular personality type.
How can personality profiling be used in BAHL?
To identify traits that can be used by a psychologist to recommend participation in sport or physical activity
What type of personality can be altered through exercise?
Type A. The patterns of behaviour that may be linked to stress can be altered through exercise.
What does exercise and increased levels of fitness result in?
Higher self esteem.
What are the seven limitations to profiling in sport?
Proof Evidence Subjectivity Invalidity Modification Reliability Stereotyping
