Personality traits and mental health (A)

Question 1

What is the five factor model (big five)

Answer 1

The dominant paradigm in personality research
Taxonomy = a descriptive framework that identifies the major traits that differentiates individuals
Simplifies a broad range of traits into five key dimensions

Question 2

What are the 5 dimensions of the five factor model (big five)

Answer 2

1. Extraversion
2. Agreeableness
3. Conscientiousness
4. Neuroticism (emotional stability)
5. Openness to experience

Question 3

Describe neuroticism

Answer 3

Tense, irritable, shy,
Opposite = Stable, calm, contented,

Question 4

What is a personality trait?

Answer 4

A person’s typical state of thinking feeling and action across different situations at different times
- Relatively consistent over different situations

Question 5

Give a study for the link between neuroticism and anxiety

Answer 5

Meta-analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between anxiety and neuroticism, with 26 studies supporting this association.

Question 6

What is the vulnerability model

Answer 6

Personality traits are risk factors for the onset of mental disorders
Probabilistic, not deterministic

Question 7

Describe the diathesis stress model

Answer 7

mental disorders caused by stressors from life experiences, + healthy experiences that can reduce this e.g. positive relationship with caregivers

Question 8

Give a study for proof of the diathesis stress model

Answer 8

Anda et al.
Found that the more childhood traumas a person experienced, the higher their risk of negative outcomes, such as anxiety