Dynamics of Personality: Social Factors

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Questions and Answers

What term describes the tendency to interpret ambiguous behavior from others as intentional hostility?

Hostile Attributional Bias (correct)

Social Avoidance

Defensive Attribution

Cognitive Dissonance

How can a dominant person's behavior affect their partner's emotional state?

By promoting open communication

By enhancing shared decision-making

By fostering a sense of independence

By evoking upset through condescending actions (correct)

What is one way aggressive behavior perpetuates hostility in interactions?

It reinforces the aggressor's suspicion of others' intentions. (correct)

It diverts attention from the aggressor's actions.

It encourages forgiveness from others.

It leads to increased empathy from others.

In what manner might a person with low conscientiousness provoke emotional reactions in their partner?

By neglecting personal grooming and being disorganized Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of an aggressive man eliciting the silent treatment from his partner?

He becomes upset because of her noncommunication. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of personality characteristic could directly influence the emotional reactions of others?

Dominance Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely consequence of a partner undermining the self-esteem of the other?

It can lead to anger in the undermined partner. Signup and view all the answers

How can personality characteristics indirectly upset others in a relationship?

By eliciting negative behaviors from the other person Signup and view all the answers

What does complementary needs theory suggest about attraction between individuals?

People seek partners with different personality dispositions. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon is described by the observation that individuals tend to marry people similar to themselves?

Assortative mating Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements aligns with attraction similarity theory?

Attraction results from shared personality characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Which reason is NOT cited for why assortative mating might occur?

Different personality traits leading to attraction. Signup and view all the answers

What can be a byproduct of the selection process according to the content?

Similarity in personality traits among long-term couples. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor could account for positive correlations in mate similarity outside of selection?

Geographical proximity to potential partners Signup and view all the answers

According to the complementary needs theory, which type of partner would a dominant individual likely prefer?

Someone with submissive traits Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'birds of a feather flock together' represent in this context?

The attraction similarity theory. Signup and view all the answers

Which tactic is predominantly used by individuals high in dominance?

Coercion Signup and view all the answers

What personality traits are most likely to evoke likability in others?

Extraversion and honesty-humility Signup and view all the answers

How does being extraverted affect an individual's likability?

It enhances likability in both online and offline settings. Signup and view all the answers

What tactic do low-agreeable individuals frequently use to influence others?

Silent treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which personality trait is primarily associated with the use of the reason tactic in social influence?

Agreeableness Signup and view all the answers

What is an outcome of a person displaying low agreeableness and honesty-humility?

They provoke annoyance and fear. Signup and view all the answers

What type of tactics do highly agreeable people typically employ?

Pleasure induction and reason Signup and view all the answers

What does the phenomenon of expectancy confirmation imply about beliefs?

Beliefs can shape the behavior of others significantly. Signup and view all the answers

In the study by Snyder and Swann (1978), what was the effect of leading individuals to expect hostility?

It led to the unsuspecting target behaving more aggressively. Signup and view all the answers

Which tactic is NOT commonly associated with low-agreeable individuals?

Pleasure induction Signup and view all the answers

What behavior is associated with conscientious individuals regarding social influence?

Utilization of reason Signup and view all the answers

What common phrase suggests the need for a change in environment to alter personality perception?

To change your personality, you must relocate. Signup and view all the answers

What role do expectations about a person's reputation play in social interactions?

They can evoke behaviors that reinforce those expectations. Signup and view all the answers

Which tactic did submissive individuals tend to use more frequently than their dominant counterparts?

Hardball tactics Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the relationship between likability and academic performance?

Likability is linked to higher adjustment and academic performance. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of low-agreeable individuals in a group regarding resources?

Act in a more selfish manner Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary tactic used by emotionally unstable individuals to influence others?

Regression Signup and view all the answers

How do individuals low on Intellect–Openness generally attempt to influence others?

By using social comparison Signup and view all the answers

Which dark triad personality trait is particularly associated with the use of hardball tactics?

Machiavellianism Signup and view all the answers

What do conscientious individuals typically provide when influencing others?

Logical explanations Signup and view all the answers

Which tactic is less commonly associated with individuals high on Intellect–Openness?

Social comparison Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best reflects the findings regarding personality traits and social influence tactics?

Personality dispositions significantly affect social interaction. Signup and view all the answers

What emotional behaviors are characteristic of emotionally unstable individuals when trying to get their way?

Pouting and whining Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a tactic associated with individuals high on the dark triad traits?

Compliance Signup and view all the answers

How does personality influence selection in a social context?

Individuals select mates based on similar traits. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents the evocation process in personality?

Narcissistic individuals provoke admiration and contempt. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does manipulation manifest according to personality traits?

Neatness in one's environment is related to Conscientiousness. Signup and view all the answers

Which personality trait is likely to lead to a preference for city living?

Extraversion Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely behavior of individuals characterized by low Conscientiousness?

Having a messy, cluttered environment Signup and view all the answers

Which of these personality traits is most likely to use reason and rationality in social manipulation?

Intellect–Openness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between personality and physical environment selection?

Introverts are inclined to choose quieter, rural settings. Signup and view all the answers

How might a disagreeable person most likely manipulate their social interactions?

By using silence as a form of punishment Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Two competing theories explain attraction:
- Complementary needs theory: people are attracted to others with different personality dispositions; opposites attract
- Attraction similarity theory: people are attracted to others with similar personality characteristics; birds of a feather flock together
Assortative mating is a common finding in mate selection; people marry similar others
Physical characteristics, including height, weight, and even nose breadth and earlobe length, show positive correlations in couples
Personality assessments based on photos also show assortative mating
Couples who have been together longest appear most similar, and couples who differ in personality break up more often
Proximity plays a role in marital choices, and people tend to marry those close by
Cultural factors like universities may prioritize similar individuals
Research supports the attraction similarity theory
Personality characteristics (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and intellect-openness) have a significant impact on marital satisfaction
Individuals are more satisfied with their marriages if their partner is agreeable, emotionally stable, open-minded
A partner's agreeableness is a strong predictor of happiness for both men and women in marriages
Over time, marital satisfaction decreases, especially if spouses' personalities are considered progressively less desirable

Personality and the Selective Breakup of Couples

Breakups may occur more often when desires are violated than when they are fulfilled
Personality differences are a significant predictor of marital instability and divorce
Emotionally unstable individuals display high levels of jealousy and are prone to conflict, and their emotional upset lasts longer
Low impulse control is also a predictor of marital dissatisfaction, leading to divorce

Evocation

Evocation: the ways personality features elicit reactions from others
Aggressive people evoke hostility in others; expecting hostility, they treat others aggressively, confirming their initial perception.
Actions can evoke emotions in others (like condescending or neglectful behavior)

Evocation of Likability, Pleasure, and Pain

Likability is linked with adjustment, mental health, and even academic performance.
Agreeableness, the sociable component of extraversion, and honesty-humility consistently evoke likability in others and, in turn, pleasure
Extraversion increases likability in online contexts
Low agreeableness and honesty-humility evoke pain, irritation, and intimidation in others

Evocation through Expectancy Confirmation

Expectancy confirmation means people's beliefs about others' personalities shape how they interact with and react to others
People act in ways consistent with their beliefs about others' personalities, confirming those initial beliefs (self-fulfilling prophecy)
Expectancies affect everyday interactions and can constrain a person's ability to change

Manipulation or social influence: ways people intentionally change others' behavior.
The term manipulation is descriptive, not necessarily negative
Natural selection favors individuals adept at manipulating objects and others in their environment.
There are no substantial sex differences in using social influence tactics
Parents, however, use different tactics to influence their children's mate choices.
Personality factors such as dominance and agreeableness correlate with manipulation tactics
Highly dominant people use coercion, threatening and criticizing
Highly agreeable people use logic and reasoning.
Emotionally unstable people use regression (crying, whining, sulking)
High intellect-openness people use reason.

Summary

Personality heavily influences social interactions- it is not just in the head.
Three key processes: selection, evocation, and manipulation
Personality affects mate and friend choices, behaviors, and reactions from others, and environmental adaptations.

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Description

This quiz explores the social determinants of personality, focusing on theories of attraction such as complementary needs and attraction similarity. It examines how physical and personality traits influence mate selection, the effects of proximity, and the role of cultural factors in relationships. Test your understanding of how these dynamics shape human connections.