Unit 1

Question 1

personality 

Answer 1

A global concept referring to a relatively permanent pattern of traits, dispositions, or characteristics that give some degree of consistency to a person’s behavior.

Question 2

define predictive validity

Question 3

define construct validity

Answer 3

is the extent to which an instrument measures some hypothetical construct. Constructs such as extraversion… have no physical existence; they are hypothetical constructs that should relate to observable behavior.

Question 4

Define Trait

Question 5

Define Theory

Answer 5

A scientific theory is a set of related assumptions that allows scientists to use logical deductive reasoning to formulate testable hypotheses.

Question 6

What is the difference between a theory and taxonomy?

Answer 6

A taxonomy is a classification of things according to their natural relationships. A theory goes beyond simple classification by generating hypotheses.

Question 7

What is the difference between theory and hypothesis?

Answer 7

A hypothesis is an educated guess or prediction specific enough for its validity to be tested through the use of the scientific method. A theory is too general to lend itself to direct verification

Question 8

What is the difference between theory and speculation?

Answer 8

Speculation does not have to be tied to empirical observation

Question 9

What is the difference between theory and philosophy?

Answer 9

Philosophy deals with what ought to be or what should be; theory does not. Theory deals with broad sets of if-then statements, but the goodness or badness of the outcomes of these statements is beyond the realm of theory.

Question 10

Explain the usefulness of other theories?

Question 11

List the five major theoretical perspectives of personality.

Answer 11

Psychodynamic
Humanistic-Existential
Dispositional
Biological Evolutionary
Learning (social) cognitive

Question 12

Briefly explain what psychodynamic theories are.

Answer 12

-First 5 years of life most shape personality
-Unconscious forces are most important
-Neurosis results from unhealthy moving toward, against, or away from others

Question 13

Briefly explain the humanistic-existential perspective of personality.

Answer 13

-People strive to live meaningful, happy lives
-People are motivated by growth and psychological health
-Personality is shaped by freedom of choice, response to anxiety, and awareness of death

Question 14

Briefly explain the dispositional approach to personality.

Answer 14

-People are predisposed to behave in unique and consistent ways; they have unique traits
-There are five trait dimensions in human personality

Question 15

Briefly explain the biological evolutionary approach to personality

Answer 15

-The foundation for thought and behavior is biological and genetic forces
-Human thoughts and behaviors have been shaped by evolutionary forces (natural and sexual selection)

Question 16

Briefly explain the social cognitive approach to personality.

Answer 16

-Only explanation for behavior is the conditions that create behavior
-Learning occurs through association and consequences of our behavior

Question 17

List the components of a useful theory (6)

Answer 17

(1) generates research,
(2) is falsifiable,
(3) organizes data,
(4) guides action, (takes a particular approach to solving a problem)
(5) is internally consistent, and
(6) is parsimonious (ocams razor)

Question 18

Concepts of human nature can be discussed from what six perspectives?

Answer 18

(1) determinism versus free choice,
(2) pessimism versus optimism,
(3) causality versus teleology, (past or future influence on decisions)
(4) conscious versus unconscious determinants, (5) biological versus social factors, and
(6) uniqueness versus similarities in people.