Unit 1 Flashcards
personality
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.
define predictive validity
define construct validity
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.
Define Trait
Define Theory
A scientific theory is a set of related assumptions that allows scientists to use logical deductive reasoning to formulate testable hypotheses.
What is the difference between a theory and taxonomy?
A taxonomy is a classification of things according to their natural relationships. A theory goes beyond simple classification by generating hypotheses.
What is the difference between theory and hypothesis?
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
What is the difference between theory and speculation?
Speculation does not have to be tied to empirical observation
What is the difference between theory and philosophy?
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.
Explain the usefulness of other theories?
List the five major theoretical perspectives of personality.
Psychodynamic
Humanistic-Existential
Dispositional
Biological Evolutionary
Learning (social) cognitive
Briefly explain what psychodynamic theories are.
-First 5 years of life most shape personality
-Unconscious forces are most important
-Neurosis results from unhealthy moving toward, against, or away from others
Briefly explain the humanistic-existential perspective of personality.
-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
Briefly explain the dispositional approach to personality.
-People are predisposed to behave in unique and consistent ways; they have unique traits
-There are five trait dimensions in human personality
Briefly explain the biological evolutionary approach to personality
-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)
Briefly explain the social cognitive approach to personality.
-Only explanation for behavior is the conditions that create behavior
-Learning occurs through association and consequences of our behavior
List the components of a useful theory (6)
(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)
Concepts of human nature can be discussed from what six perspectives?
(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.
