Problem 1 Flashcards
Self report
(Self-data)
Is a method of assessing personality that involves asking an individual about his or her behaviors, thoughts and feelings + then inferring that individuals personality on the basis of the responses
–> allows an accurate + efficient measurement at a low cost
Self ratings
Is basically the same method as self reports just that the person is asked to rate his individual level of the trait on a given scale
ex.: 1-10
Are self ratings more accurate than self reports ?
Not necessarily,
the rating might be a more direct indication of the trait
BUT: people might differ in their understandings of a certain trait
ex.: misinterpreting impulsivity as a king of spontaneous tendency
Observer/Informant report
(Informant-Data)
Is a method that involves asking a third party for a certain individuals behaviours, thoughts and feelings
What are the advantages vs disadvantages of the observer report ?
Advantage: An individuals personality might be judged more objectively
Disadvantage:
a) The person might be inclined to present a good or bad impression for that individual
–> enhancement vs diminishing bias
b) some feelings + thought might never even be observed
c) expensive + time-consuming
Direct observation
(Behavior- data)
Is a method where a persons behavior is directly observed
–> the trait is measured by observing the frequency or intensity with which the individual performs those behaviors
ex.: how frequently you talk on phone, visit friends etc. –> to assess sociability
Biodata
(Live-data)
Is a method where some records of the persons life, which seem likely to be relevant to an individuals personality, are obtained
ex.: speeding ticket
–> recklesness
What are advantages vs disadvantages of obtaining biodata ?
Advantage:
They are objective indicators of behavior
Disadvantage:
Not always clear if it is an accurate indicator
–> Interpretation might not always be correct
Why are self reports and observer reports more commonly and widely used ?
They provide extremely quick + cheap methods of measuring a wide array of traits with generally good levels of reliability + validity
Which four methods can be used to assess personality traits ?
- Self report
- Observer report
- Direct Observation
- Biodata
Brunswiks lens model
States that elements in the environment can serve as a kind of lens through which observers indirectly perceive underlying constructs
–> involve cue utilization + cue validity
Cue utilization (Brunswik lens model)
Refers to the link between the observable cue + observers judgment
ex.: organized desk –> conscientiousness
Cue validity (Brunswik lens model)
Refers to the link between the observable cue + the occupants actual level of the underlying construct
According to Brunswiks model the mechanisms linking individuals to the environments they inhabit fall into 2 categories.
Which are they ?
1. Identity claims
a) self directed
b) other directed
2. Behavioral residue
a) interior
b) exterior
Self-directed identity claims
Refer to symbolic statements made by the occupants for their own benefit, intended to reinforce their self views
ex.: decorating ones room in a way that reflects ones personality, hobbies etc
Other directed claims
Refer to symbols that have shared meanings to make statements to others about how they would like to be regarded
–> intentionally communicating ones attitudes +values to others
ex.: office may be designed in a way that suggests to others a conscientious, hard working disposition
Interior behavioral residue
Refer to the physical traces of activities conducted in ones immediate environment (at home), reflecting past or anticipated behaviors
ex.: unopened bottle of wine + chairs arranged in a circle
–> awaiting guests
Exterior behavioral residue
Refer to the physical traces of activities conducted outside of ones immediate environment (outside)
ex.: ski pass
–> knows how to ski
What is the “2-Step inference process” to form impressions about a person ?
- Observers infer behaviors that created physical evidence
- Observers infer the dispositions that underlie the behaviors
–> assuming that no stereotypes intervene
ex.: organized workspace
- person organizes his/her belongings
- high levels of conscientiousness
How do stereotypes impact the judgements of a person ?
The stereotype might be associated with a whole set of traits, some of which may have no direct link to the evidence in the environment
ex.: noticing asian books on a shelve will activate asian stereotypes
EAR
Is a microcassette recorder that tracks ambient sounds in peoples environments by recording them over a period of up to 4 days
–> it therefore adopts the unique observer perspective of lived-day studies
What are personality constructs ?/ What is a personality ?
It refers to inferred characteristics or traits of a person
What are possible biases that one might encounter when self reporting ?
- Response bias
- Acquiescent responding
- Extreme responding
- Self perception
–> will impede the validity of the self report measure
Response bias
Responding in a way that will present the self in a more favorable light
