Week 1 (indtroduction) Lecture 1 (approaches to studying individual differences) Flashcards
what is the difference between experimental and correlational approaches?
- The experimental approach attempts to understand reality by manipulating (under simplified conditions) variables between groups/treatments.
- The correlational approach attempts to understand reality by estimating the influence of variables under complex conditions between individuals.
what approach does differential psychology take?
- it recognises that people do not fit into tidy boxes
- therefore it encourages us to think about continuums
why is lots of research around mental health taking a categorical approach?
• A need for thresholds to determine when an individual meets the criteria for an intervention.
• A need to have a universally accepted criteria for “well” so that clinicians and researchers can
agree on what is a meaningful change in “symptoms”.
• Statistics: it can be easier to analyse data in categories than continua.
why might we want to take a continuoum approach to mental health instead?
- we can look at the continuoum of positive mental health. Rather than the categories of mentally ill or not mentally ill, we can look at the continoum of average to very strong mental health
- rather than being limited to recovery or no recovery, we can look at improvements of those with mental illness, such as from severe to moderate
- the continuoum helps us recognise that the line to mark whether somebody has a mental health problem or not is arbitary
what is the pathogenic perspective of mental health?
- approaching research into mental health by focusing on mental illness
what is the salutogenic perspective of mental health?
- approaching research into mental health by looking at how to promote the mental health of the whole popuation, moving us towards thriving
what is the difference between a state and a trait?
STATE
- temporary
- after the state passes you return to another condition
TRAIT
- stable and enduring characteristic and pattern of behaviour
what is the CBT triangle?
thoughts
behaviour feelings
how does Gordon Allport define personality?
“A dynamic organisation inside the person of psychophysical systems that create the person’s
characteristic patterns of behaviour, thoughts and feelings.”
what are the important features of Allports definition of personality?
“A dynamic organisation inside the person of psychophysical systems that create the person’s
characteristic patterns of behaviour, thoughts and feelings.”
This definition makes several important points:
• Personality is not just an accumulation of bits and pieces, it has organisation
• Personality doesn’t just lie there, it is actively influencing processes
• Personality is a psychological concept, inextricably linked to the physical body – it has a
biological basis.
• Personality is a causal force – it helps determine how a person relates to the world
• Personality shows up in patterns, occurrences and consistencies.
• Personality is displayed in many different ways, in behaviours, thoughts and feelings.
what are the 5 factors of the 5 factor personality model?
Extraversion Agreeableness Contentiousness Neuroticism Openness
what are the 4 categories of the myers briggs personality types?
mind- intraversion or extraversion
energy- intuition or sensing
nature- thinking or feeling
tactics- judging or perceiving
what does the agreeableness trait in the 5 factor model reflect?
- reflects how we interact with others
- high scorers tend to be trusting, friendly and cooperative
- low scorers tend to be more aggressive and less cooperative
what does the contentiousness trait in the 5 factor model reflect?
- reflects how organised and persistent we are in pursuing our goals
- high scorers are methodical, well organised and dutiful
- low scores are less careful, less focussed and are more likely be distracted from tasks
what does the neuroticism trait in the 5 factor model reflect?
- the tendency to experience negative thoughts and feelings
- high scores are prone to insecurity and emotional distress
- low scorers tend to be more relaxed, less emotional and less prone to distress
what does the openness trait reflect in the 5 factor model?
- this trait reflects open-mindedness and interest in culture
- High scores tend to be imaginative, creative and seek out cultural and educational experiences
- Low scores are more down to earth, less interested in art and more imaginative in nature
what does the energy factor of the myers briggs test reflect?
- intuition or sensing determines how we see the world and process information
SENSING (S)
- observant individuals who are highly pragmatic and down to earth
- They tend to have strong habits and focus on what is happening or what has already happened
INTUITION (N)
- very imaginative, openminded and curious
- they prefer novelty over stability, and focuss on hidden meanings and future posibility
what does the nature factor of the myers briggs test reflect?
- thinking or feeling determines how we make decisions and cope with emotions
THINKING
- focus on objectivity and rationality, prioritising logic over emotions
- tend to hide their feelings and see efficiency as more important than cooperation
FEELING
- feeling individuals are sensitive and emotionally expressive
- they are more empathetic and less competitive than feeling types
- they focus on harmony and social cooperation
what does the tactics factor of the myers briggs test reflect?
-judging or percieving reflects our approach to work, planning or decision making
JUDGING
- individuals are decisive, thorough and highly organised
- they value clarity, predictability and closure,
- prefer planning to spontanaety
PERCIEVING
- very good at improvising and spotting opportunitys
- flexible and relaxed nonconformist who prefer to keep their options open
