trait & type approach Flashcards
type
= a class of individuals with common characteristics
trait
= an enduring characteristic of a person’s behaviour, thinking, feeling
greek ages personality types
based on bodily fluids (humors)
dimensional approach
looking at the generalised (nomothetic) person through large scale self-report dimensions are orthogonal 1. extroversion vs. introversion 2. neuroticism vs. normality 3. psychoticism [later added]
high degree of neuroticism
high degree of normality
= more emotionally reactive
= less emotionally reactive
psychoticism dimension
anti-social trait; aggressive, impersonal, egocentric, cold
predisosition to psychosis
scale not as reliable as for extroversion and neuroticism
eysenck’s personality types
interaction of the dimensions produces 'types' SANGUINE MELANCHOLIC CHOLERIC PHLEGMATIC
sanguine
- high extroversion, more emotionally stable
- cheerful
- normal extrovert; low ARAS arousal, low VB activity
melancholic
- high introversion, high neuroticism
- gloomy
- neurotic introvert
- high ARAS arousal, high VB activity
choleric
- high extroversion, high neuroticism
- bad tempered
- neurotic extrovert; low ARAS arousal, higher VB actitivity
phlegmatic
- high intrversion, more emotionally stable
- unemotional, indifferent
- normal introvert; high ARAS arousal, low VB activity
biological basis of personality; idea
genetic basis of personality that makes it relatively stable and unchanging, BUT the environment interacts with biological predispositions
High ARAS
predisposes to introversion
rather stimulated so dont expose yourself to further stimulation
low ARAS
predisposes to extroversion
stimulus hungry, need more stimulation
visceral brain (VB) relates to
emotional reactivity
