W1 - The Person, the Situation, and Behaviour Flashcards
What is the main focus of differential psychology?
The study of observable differences between individuals in their psychological determinants, such as personality and abilities.
How does differential psychology measure and understand individual differences?
By focusing on how and why people differ and developing methods to measure these differences, such as assessments of intelligence, personality, and interests.
Define intelligence within differential psychology.
The ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, and learn quickly from experience.
What does personality reflect in differential psychology?
The dynamic organization of psychophysical systems that influence an individual’s adjustment to the environment.
How are interests defined in differential psychology, and what do they indicate?
Preferences for choices, activities, or behaviors, often in vocational contexts, showing what a person is likely to do.
What are the three core areas of focus in differential psychology?
Intelligence (cognitive capacity), personality (behavioral tendencies), and interests (preferences and inclinations).
How does differential psychology contribute to understanding human behavior?
By linking individual differences to aspects like personality, mental health, and motivation.
What is social psychology, and what does it study?
The scientific study of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the real or imagined presence of others.
How does social psychology differ in focus from differential psychology?
Social psychology examines behavior in social contexts, while differential psychology studies stable individual differences.
What are the levels of analysis in social psychology compared to sociology and personality psychology?
Social psychology studies individuals in social contexts, sociology examines societal structures, and personality psychology focuses on stable individual traits.
What is the primary difference in methodologies between social and differential psychology?
Social psychology relies on experimental methods in social contexts, while differential psychology uses correlational and longitudinal designs.
Define the person versus situation debate.
A debate over whether behavior is primarily influenced by stable personality traits or external situational factors.
What does situationism propose about behavior?
It emphasizes that situational factors play the dominant role in shaping behavior.
How does interactionism address the person versus situation debate?
By suggesting that personality traits and situational factors interact dynamically to influence behavior.
What is Lewin’s equation, and how does it relate to interactionism?
Lewin’s equation (B = f(P, S)) describes behavior as a function of the person and the situation.
What is situational selection in dynamic interactionism?
The process where individuals choose environments aligning with their personality traits.
Explain situational evocation in interactionism.
When an individual’s traits or actions influence the dynamics of a situation.
How does situational construal impact behavior?
Behavior is influenced by how individuals interpret a situation, not just its objective attributes.
What is the fundamental attribution error, and why is it significant?
The tendency to overestimate dispositional causes while underestimating situational influences.
How did the Milgram experiment demonstrate situationism?
By showing that social context can strongly influence behavior, often overriding personal traits.
How do additive and interactive models of interactionism differ?
Additive models suggest independent contributions of personality and situations, while interactive models emphasize their combined effects.
What is trait activation theory?
A framework proposing that personality traits are expressed in response to specific situational cues.
How do contextualized personality traits improve predictions?
By framing traits within specific scenarios, providing stronger and more accurate outcome predictions.
Describe the situation construal model.
It illustrates how personality and situational attributes interact through individual perceptions, mediating effects on behavior.
