Problem 6 Flashcards
Longitudinal research design
Is used to assess the personality trait levels of some group of persons on 2 or more occasions, often many year/decades apart
–> aim is to find the average level of a given trait across all members, then comparing those as observed at the different time periods
What are possible explanations for the changes in mean levels of personality characteristics across one’s life span ?
1. Biological processes of maturation
- being genetically inclined to show changes in levels of certain hormones/neurotransmitters which might influence personality characteristics
2. Important events/ changes in social roles might also have an influence on ones personality
3. Exposure to different ideas of different people
- Social investment hypothesis
Is personality stable across our entire lifespan ?
Yes and no, Personality is somewhat stable during adolescence + even more stable during adulthood
–> less stable during childhood + early adolescence as personality then undergoes some larger changes
Which major challenges do researchers encounter when trying to assess children personality development ?
- Obtaining an accurate personality description from them
* most can only describe themselves from the age of 10 - Self report inventories usually used, demand a level of reading comprehension that isn’t reached until adolescence
- Behaviors + situations which are usually observed cannot be observed in children
Which solution was developed to overcome the challenges researchers where facing when trying to assess the personality development of children?
A special version of the HEXACO-PI-R was developed, that was suitable for assessing personality in elementary school children
- included different dimensions that resembled the big 5
e. g.: activity level, irritability, fearfulness, positive emotions, attention span, soothability, rhythmicity
Are spouses similar in personality ?
No,
the personality of one spouse gives little clue as to what the personality of the other spouse is like
Which personality traits indicate marital satisfaction?
An agreeable + emotionally stable person is more likely to be satisfied with his/her marriage
–> regardless of whether 2 people are similar or different in personality traits, what matters is their individual characteristics
Attachment styles
Refer to the ways in which people act, think, feel in the specific context of their romantic relationships
In wich way is personality related to attachment styles ?
Having low levels of both anxious + avoidant styles will lead to secure attachment style
Are friends similar in personality ?
Yes,
Friends only showed to be somewhat similar in the personality traits of :
a) Honesty-humility
b) Openness to experience
Friends usually perceive themselves to be more similar in the aspects of Honesty-humility + openness to experience than they really are.
Why is that ?
They often share the same values/views about how one ought to live + relate to other people
–> similar values are more likely to get along
How is personality related to substance use disorders?
Low conscientiousness + low emotional stability is related to substance abuse
–> high levels of self control are related to success in quitting
How is longevity, meaning longer life spans, related to personality ?
- Personality traits such as conscientiousness + social dependability were associated with it
* more dependable persons would be less likely to engage in health damaging behaviors - Cheerful + optimistic people are negatively correlated with longevity, because one is more likely to ignore diseases
How are heart diseases related to personality ?
Hostile people tend to create more stress for themselves by getting into conflicts with others
–> they have greater physiological reactions to stress than others
e.g.: greater increases in blood pressure, hormones etc => Type A
How is academic +job performance related to personality ?
Individuals higher in conscientiousness levels tend to perform better
- as this trait comprises self discipline, organization etc
- 0.25
How is criminality related to personality ?
A persons likelihood to commit crimes depends on
- how much he/she fails to control impulses
- his/her levels of manipulativeness + selfishness
–> related to low conscientiousness + emotional stability
Which personality traits indicate how satisfied one is with ones life ?
Extraversion + emotional stability are indicators
- both represent a tendency to feel positive emotions
- we have a genetic influence on that
How does binge drinking affect the brain of adolescents ?
Brain maturation continues well into the 3 decade of life particularly in regards to PFC + hippocampus
–> results in increases risk-taking + impulsive behaviors
Blackout
Refers to a breakdown in the transfer of info from STM to LTM
–> hippocampus is particularly susceptible to alcohol
Mean level change
Refers to gains/losses in specific personality traits over a pre-specified period of time + age in the life course of a population of individuals
What are the mean level changes in personality development ?
1. Most change occurs between the ages of 20-40/young adulthood
- BUT: it continues to change, even in old age
2. Time has a positive effect on personality-trait change
- people become more confident, warm, mature over time
Cause-Correction hypothesis
Changes demonstrated in psychological outcomes (e.g. depression) are the result of changes in the trait component and not the state component of personality
–> changes are enduring and have real consequences for clinical outcomes
Selection effect
Personality predicts the occurrence of several major life events
Socialization effect
Personality changes occur as the result of experiencing major life events
