trait (egenskap) Flashcards
name two basic formulations of what a trait is
Trait as internal causal properties and traits as purely descriptive summaries
describe traits as internal causal properties
Traits are presumed to be internal in that individuals carry their desires, needs and wants from one situation to the next
Desires and needs are presumed to be causal in that they explain the behavior of individuals who possess them
describe traits as purely descriptive summaries
No assumption about internality or causality is assumed when traits are considered as descriptive summaries of a person’s attributes.
We need to first identify and describe important individual differences before developing causal theories to explain them, hence the importance of thinking about traits as purely descriptive summaries. ‘
how one person differs from others
Personality Coherence; Traits versus States
tendense to do. BMW in traffic behaves badly. We think it’s a bad person but when it’s me not so much.
Traits represent the typical behaviors of a person over prolonged periods of time
Traits are insensitive to situational contexts but States vary across time and situation
Typical, average behaviors across situations are described by personality psychologists
identification of the most important traits, 3 different approaches
lexical approach
statistical approach
theoretical approach
name the taxonomies of personality
Eysenck’s hierarchical model of personality
the 16 personality factor system
the wiggins circumex
five-factor model
describe Eysenck’s hierarchical model of personality
Model of personality based on traits that Eysenck believed were highly heritable and had psychophysiological foundation
Three traits met criteria: Extraversion-Introversion (E), Neuroticism-Emotional Stability (N), Psychoticism (P)
E= high scorers like parties, have many friends, require people around to talk to, like playing practical jokes on others, display a carefree, easy manner and have a high activity level
low scorers spend more time alone, prefer quiet time and pursuits, a more moderate pace and a routine, predictable lifestyle
N= High scorers are worriers, anxious, depressed, have trouble sleeping, experience an array of psychosomatic symptoms and over-reactivity of negative emotions
Low scorers are emotionally stable, even- tempered, calm, slower to react to stressful events and return to their normal self quickly after an upsetting event
P= High scorers are often solitary, lack empathy, are cruel and inhumane, insensitive to the pain and suffering of others, aggressive, impulsive, have a penchant for the strange and unusual and have antisocial tendencies
Low scorers have less cardiovascular reactivity to violent texts, prefer less unpleasant stimuli and are deeply religious
explain the wiggins circumplex
Two resources that define social exchange are love and status
axel-diagram
Provides an explicit definition of interpersonal behavior
describe the five-factor model
Five broad factors: Surgency or Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability and Openness/Intellect
Three important assumptions of trait psychology:
There Are Meaningful Difference Between individuals
Personality Is Consistent Overtime
Traits are consistent across situations
describe Meaningful Differences Between Individuals
There are meaningful differences between individuals (trait psychology is also called differential psychology)
People differ in amounts of traits,and differences can be accurately measured
According Trait Psychologists,every personality is the product of a combination of a few basic and primary traits
describe Consistency Over Time
Research indicates broad-based traits are consistent over time
Although consistent over time, the manifestation of trait in actual behavior might change over time
How can there be consistency in a trait if it is known to change with age (e.g. impulsivity)? Focus on the rank order differences between people
describe Consistency Across Situations
Trait psychologists traditionally assumed traits to show consistency across situations
However, if situations mainly control how people behave, then the existence or relevance of traits is questionable
Hartshorne and May (1928) reported low cross- situation consistency in honesty, helpfulness and self- control
describe person-situation interaction
Two possible explanations for why certain behavior is shown:
– behavior is a function of personality traits
– behavior is a function of situation
- Personality and situation interact to produce behavior
Situational specificity: Certain situations can provoke behavior that is out of character for an individual (e.g., test anxiety)
When situations are weak or Ambiguous,personality has its strongest influence on behavior
Three additional ways in which personality and situation interact to produce behavior
- Selection: Tendency to choose or select situations in which one finds oneself
- Evocation: Certain personality traits may evoke specific responses from the environment
- Manipulation: Means by which people influence the behavior of others e.g. charm, silent treatment or coercion
What is Personality Development?
Continuities, consistencies, stabilities in people over time and the ways in which people change over time
