PSY2205 Lecture 7: The Essential Trait Approach continued Flashcards
Referring to Eysenck’s 3 supertrait theory, what is extraversion thing all about then?
ARAS structure in brainstem controls cortical arousal. Low levels of ARAS in extraverts so seek high stimulation and vise versa.
Referring to Eysenck’s 3 supertrait theory, what is neuroticism thing all about then?
Neuroticism vs Emotional stability
includes Cattell’s source factors of emotional stability and apprehensiveness
people who score high on the neuroticism scale are not necessarily neurotics but they might be more susceptible to neurotic problems.
Eysenck - some people have a more responsive sympathetic nervous system (limbic system). Controls emotional responsiveness to emergency situations. Prepares us for fight or flight.
High levels of neuroticism arise from hypersensitivity or excessive activity of the sympathetic nervous system. React more to threatening environments
Is there is link between neuroticism and PTSD? Give empirical evidence.
YES!!!!!! :)))))
Holeva and Tarrier (2001) studied victims of road traffic accidents across 2 time periods (4 weeks and 6 months post accident).
Neuroticism (and to a lesser extent psychoticism) is associated with the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
High levels of trait anxiety or heightened conditionability appear to increase the risk of developing PTSD.
Referring to Eysenck’s 3 supertrait theory, what is Psychoticism thing all about then?
added later and less well researched
Possibly linked to dopaminergic system.
Includes Cattell’s factors of sensitivity and rule consciousness.
Developed from research conducted in mental institutions and prisons.
A tendency towards psychotic/sociopathic behaviour.
high scores on psychoticism measure indicate a certain recklessness, a disregard for conventions, a degree of inappropriate emotional expression, a tendency to be hostile, manipulative and impulsive.
What is Eysenck’s 3 super-trait theory psychometric measure called?
EPQ (Eysenck’s personality Questionnaire)
Give a few examples of how the EPQ has predicted behaviour
Extroverts are more likely to have sexual intercourse at younger ages and with more partners than introverts (Eysenck, 1976; Giese & Schmidt, 1968).
Genetic modelling of twin data showed that risky sexual behaviour was significantly positively correlated with Impulsivity, Extraversion, Psychoticism and Neuroticism. In each case the correlation was due primarily to overlapping genetic influences ( Zietsch, Verweij, Bailey, Wright & Martin, 2009).
Introverts tend to demonstrate superior academic achievement. This is found in both Western and nonwestern cultures (Furneaux, 1957; Kline, 1966).
Academic performance predicted by low N, low P and to some extent high E. Also looked at the OCEAN and conscientiousness was the strongest predictor of high academic performance (Chamorro-Premuzic & Furnham, 2003).
How has Eysenck’s super trait theory and the Big Five theory link?
Two of the five super traits/factors, neuroticism and extraversion, are practically identical with two of those identified by Eysenck.
Has the Big Five been associated with job performance?
Barrick, M. R., & Mount, M. K. (1991). The Big Five personality dimensions and job performance: A meta-analysis. Personnel Psychology, 44 (1), 1-26.
C showed consistent relations with all job performance criteria for all occupational groups
E predicted success in management and sales (requiring social interaction)
O and E predicted training proficiency
A and N predict performance when employees work in groups
Whats a strength about the Big Five?
The fact that the Big Five traits, albeit with some variation, keep popping up again and again, irrespective of the measures used and the populations studied, have led to claims that these traits make up the essential “structure” of personality (e.g., Costa & McCrae, 1998).
What are some weaknesses about the Big Five?
But there seems to be more to personality than just five traits. For example you could summarise the trait authoritarianism as a combination of high neuroticism, high conscientiousness, low openness and low agreeableness, but that seems to miss the essence of the construct.
Big Five isnt orthogonal, separate or independent. Eysenck (1991) argued that advocates of the Big Five mix superfactors (extraversion, neuroticism) with primary traits (agreeableness and conscientiousness).
Draycott and Kline (1995) analyzed both Costa and McCrae’s NEO-PI and the revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R). They support Eysenck’s claim, the Big Five mixes lower order with higher order factors.
