Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

C8303 Individual Differences > Personality traits and stability > Flashcards

Personality traits and stability Flashcards

1
Q

What is a trait?

A

A trait is a dimension of personality used to categorise people according to the degree to which they show a particular characteristic.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are two assumptions underlying trait theory?

A

Traits are stable:
1. Over time.
2. Accross situations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What was Sheldon’s somatotypes based on?

A

Sheldon classified personality according to body shape.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe Sheldons somatypes.

A
  1. Plump = relaxed and sociable.
  2. Muscular = active and assertive.
  3. Lean = quiet and fragile.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Name one limitation of Sheldon’s somatotypes.

A

Doesn’t explore reasoning into why these characteristics reflect body shape.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What did the lexical hypothesis aim to do?

A

Identify the most important traits.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe the lexical hypothesis.

A

Researchers used dictionaries or thesaurus to count the number of words that describe personality traits.
Frequency of use is linked to importance of trait.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What were Allports trait theory categories and descriptions?

A
  1. Cardinal traits – traits that a person often becomes known for.
  2. Central traits – the general characteristics that form the basic foundations of personality.
  3. Secondary traits – traits that only appear in certain situations.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What was Cattell’s goal for the 16 personality factor system?

A

To identify the basic units of personality by applying empirical methods.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Name and describe the two types of traits that Cattell distinguished.

A
  1. Surface traits – groups of observations that are correlated.
  2. Source traits – more basic traits underlying surface traits.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are Eysenck’s three dimensions of personality?

A
  1. Psychoticism.
  2. Extraversion / introversion.
  3. Neuroticism / emotional stability.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Describe Eysenck’s extraversion / introversion.

A
  • Introversion involves directing attention on inner experiences, while extraversion relates to focusing attention outward on other people and the environment.
  • Introvert = quiet and reserved. Extravert = social and outgoing.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe Esyenck’s neuroticism / emotional stability.

A
  • Neuroticism = an individual’s tendency to become upset or emotional.
  • Emotional stability = the tendency to remain emotionally constant.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe Eysenck’s psychoticism.

A

Individuals high on psychoticism tend to have difficulty dealing with reality and may be antisocial and hostile.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What were Eysneck’s beliefs surrounding the genetic relation to personality. (2)

A
  • Eysenck believed introverts have higher base arousal levels and are easily over aroused while extraverts have lower base levels so they seek stimulation to bring their arousal up.
  • Neurotics have greater activation levels.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What personality trait model has revived the most attention and support in the past two decades?

A

The five factor model.

17
Q

What are the five factors in the five factor model?

A
  1. Openness (to experience).
  2. Conscientiousness.
  3. Extraversion.
  4. Agreeableness.
  5. Neuroticism.
18
Q

Describe openness in the five factor model.

A

People with high openness have an active imagination and independent judgement.

People with low openness have a narrow range of interests and are conservative.

Empirical correlation shows they tend to remember their dreams more.

19
Q

Describe conscientiousness in the five factor model.

A

People with high conscientiousness are purposeful and determined.

People with low conscientiousness are carefree.

Empirical correlation shows they have higher grades across school.

20
Q

Describe extraversion in the five factor model.

A

People with high extraversion are talkative and energetic.

People with low extraversion hold none of the extraversion traits.

Empirical correlation shows extraverts tend to be happier.

21
Q

Describe agreeableness in the five factor model.

A

People with high agreeableness are sympathetic.

People with low agreeableness are sceptical.

Empirical correlation shows they withdraw from social conflict.

22
Q

Describe neuroticism in the five factor model.

A

People with high neuroticism are prone to irrational ideas.

People with low neuroticism are calm and relaxed.

Empirical correlation shows they experience more fatigue.

23
Q

What does HEXACO suggest?

A

A sixth factor = honesty / humility.

24
Q

Describe the evaluation of the trait approach. (2)

A
  • Some debate over the number of factors and the labelling of these factors.
  • It was argued that personality trait measures account for only 10% in the variance of behaviour.
25
Q

What are the four types of stability?

A
  1. Intraindividual differences in consistency.
  2. Ipsative differences.
  3. Mean-level consistency.
  4. Rank-order consistency.
26
Q

Describe intraindividual differences in consistency.

A

How each individual changes with time.

27
Q

Describe ipsative differences.

A

How the prominence of attributes changes within individuals over time.

28
Q

Describe mean-level consistency.

A

Whether people increase or decrease in trait dimensions over time.

29
Q

Describe rank-order consistency.

A

Whether people retain the same rank ordering of trait dimensions over time.

30
Q

What is William James’s quote about personality stability.

A

“In most of us, by the age of thirty, the character has set like plaster, and will never soften again”

31
Q

What did Costa and McCrae discover about personality stability?

A

On the basis of their longitudinal studies that there is little change in any personality traits past the age of 30.

32
Q

Why might changes in personality occur across time? (3)

A
  • Biological maturation.
  • Changes in social roles.
  • Life experiences.
33
Q

Give an example of a study that suggested that personality does change over time.

A
  • Harris et al.
  • Studied personality from 14 to 77.
  • Six personality characteristics assessed.
  • Found no positive correlation between 14 and 77.
34
Q

Out of agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism and openness to experience, which increase/decrease in adulthood?

A

Agreeableness = increase.
Conscientiousness = increase.
Openness to experience = decrease.
Neuroticism = decrease.
Extraversion = increase.

C8303 Individual Differences (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions