Personality Test Flashcards
trait theory
People’s personalities are determined by the intensity of certain traits which are enduring characteristics.
eysenk’s three factor theory
idea that traits are genetic and all come from three traits: Extraversion
Neuroticism
Psychoticism
five factor model of personality traits
idea that most personality traits are derived from 5 higher order traits known as the “Big Five”.
Neuroticism, openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion
Behaviorist View of Personality
personality is shaped by our experiences in our environment.
If behavior that makes up personality is positively reinforced, we more likely continue that behavior.
Recipricol Determinism
Our thoughts, behaviors, and environments all work off each other to develop our personalities
Self-Efficacy
the belief that one has the ability to be successful in tasks, behaviors
high self efficacy means you think you’ll be successful, while a low self efficacy means you think you’ll fail
Rotter’s Locus of Control
idea that a major factor in personality development is the perception of how much control they have over lives
Internal Locus of control
people believe they have high level of control over their lives & can influence outcomes
External locus of control
People believe outside forces are the biggest factor in shaping lives. Luck, Other people, etc
Freud’s personality theory
Id, superego and ego
he saw a person’s behavior as the outcome of interactions among these three components
Id (Freud)
primitive, instinctive component of personality that operates to the pleasure principle
Superego
concerned with the moral component of personality
It uses social standards of what is right and wrong
ego (Freud)
decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle
projection
Attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, and motives to another person.
Example: Hating someone and feeling that is unacceptable, so to comfort yourself you convince yourself that this person hates you.
Jung’s theory
Jung believed that the unconscious was a big determinant of personality.
Personal Unconscious - unawareness
Collective Unconscious - inherited memories that all humans share
Archetypes
emotionally charged images and thoughts that have universal value and are seen across different cultures. Evidence of our collective unconsciousness.
ex: heroes, villains, wise old man
Adler’s birth order theory
Children’s personality and behavior in a family is believed to differ among the children based on order of which they are born or if they are an only child.
Adler’s theory on the middle child
they are diplomats who work well with others. they are the bridge between age groups
Adler’s theory on the youngest child
they are social and funny because of the audience they get from their siblings and family
Adler’s theory on the oldest child
they are leaders and high achievers because they have more one on one time with parents and they need to lead their younger siblings
Horney’s theory of neurotic needs
States that We all develop a Basic Anxiety in childhood, partly because our parents can meet all our demands
We develop 3 major coping mechanisms to deal with it
Moving Towards Others (coping mechanism)
We seek acceptance and approval of others, often comply to their requests.
Moving Against Others (coping mechanism)
We become domineering, sometimes hostile and try to control others
Moving Away from Others (coping mechanism)
We isolate ourselves, escape and avoid people. Can be cold or indifferent as well
Insecure ppl. vs Secure ppl. using defense mechanisms
An insecure person uses the same coping mechanism most of the time.
A secure person varies the type of coping mechanism depending on the situation.
Adler Striving For Superiority Theory
the most important aspect of personality development was that people strive to be superior. children at a young feel weak, incompetent, and inferior when they compare selves to parents.
Inferiority Complex
when a person has chronic feelings of inferiority they will over compensate
Mischel’s theory of personality
personality changes due to environmental factors.
ex; someone is introverted at school but extroverted at home/outside of school
Roger’s Self-Concept
collection of beliefs about one’s own nature, unique qualities, and typical behavior. Your own mental picture of yourself
Incongruency
one’s view of themselves does not reflect reality
Congruency
one’s view of themselves accurately reflects reality
hierarchy of needs
Systematic arrangement of needs, according to priority. Have to hit basic needs (shelter, air, water) before can rise to the higher needs (self actualization)
self-actualization
need to fulfill one’s potential, the desire to be all that you can be
self-report inventory
personality tests that ask individuals to answer a series of questions about their characteristic behavior. asks about personal interests, values, symptoms, behaviors, and traits/personality types
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
psychological test that assesses personality traits and psychopathology. intended to test people who are suspected of having mental health issues
projective tests
ask participants to respond to vague, ambiguous stimuli in ways that may reveal the subjects’ needs, feelings, and personality traits
The Rorschach Test
Series of 10 inkblots, where the respondents are asked to describe what they see in the blots.
Projecting with interpretation
Determines the emotional functioning and personality characteristics
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Series of pictures of simple, ambiguous scenes
Person is asked to tell stories of what is happening in the scenes & what the characters are feeling
You are projecting things about personality & motivation
