Personality Traits and Theories

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What distinguishes a personality trait in the trait perspective?

  • It changes drastically over short periods of time.
  • It is solely determined by environmental factors.
  • It is highly variable across different situations.
  • It is a tendency to behave in certain ways that remains relatively constant. (correct)

Which of the following is an example of a personality trait from the trait perspective?

  • Displaying politeness to impress a potential employer.
  • Experiencing a sudden burst of anger due to a specific trigger.
  • Having an optimistic outlook on life despite facing difficulties. (correct)
  • Feeling anxious before giving a public speech.

What was a primary contribution of Gordon Allport to the study of personality traits?

  • Establishing the foundation for behavioral psychology.
  • Identifying approximately 4,500 words in the English language to describe personality characteristics. (correct)
  • Developing the concept of the collective unconscious.
  • Creating the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).

According to Allport, what is the defining characteristic of a 'cardinal trait'?

<p>It dominates and shapes a person's behavior and life. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering Allport's trait hierarchy, how do 'central traits' primarily manifest in an individual?

<p>They form the fundamental building blocks of personality. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Allport's theory, what is the key feature of 'secondary traits'?

<p>They emerge only under particular circumstances. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Raymond Cattell's main contribution to personality trait theory?

<p>Suggesting that personality is composed of 16 dimensions, each present to varying degrees in individuals. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Raymond Cattell assess and measure personality traits?

<p>Via the 16PF questionnaire. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between low and high scores on Cattell's 'Sensitivity' dimension?

<p>Low scores suggest a tough-minded nature, whereas high scores reflect a sensitive, caring nature. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Hans and Sybil Eysenck, what is the primary basis for personality differences?

<p>Temperament. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What methodological approach did Hans and Sybil Eysenck use to identify personality traits?

<p>Factor analysis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Eysencks' theory, how are superfactors viewed?

<p>As a continuum rather than distinct categories. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is one of the three superfactors proposed by Hans and Sybil Eysenck?

<p>Extraversion/Introversion. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a core principle of the Big Five personality theory?

<p>Personality is composed of five broad superfactors. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the superfactors in the Big Five model of personality?

<p>Temperament. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the Big Five model, what does the 'Conscientiousness' factor primarily reflect?

<p>Competence, self-discipline, and thoughtfulness. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the 'Agreeableness' factor generally characterized in the Big Five model?

<p>As helpful,trusting, and empathetic. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Neuroticism' factor in the Big Five model signify?

<p>Tendency toward unstable emotions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the stability of the Big Five traits across the lifespan?

<p>Big Five traits are relatively stable across the lifespan. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key distinction of the HEXACO model compared to the Big Five model of personality?

<p>HEXACO model includes a factor for honesty-humility. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the cultural-comparative approach to studying personality?

<p>Examining personality constructs across different cultures to identify both universal and culture-specific aspects. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the indigenous approach to studying personality in a cultural context?

<p>Developing personality assessments that are culturally relevant and specific to a particular culture. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do values in individualistic cultures typically contrast with those in collectivist cultures?

<p>Individualistic cultures prioritize independence and personal achievement, while collectivist cultures emphasize social harmony and group needs. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might Western ideas of personality not always be applicable in other cultures?

<p>Because culture influences the way personality is expressed and valued, and Western constructs may not capture these variations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable limitation of self-report inventories for personality assessment?

<p>They are prone to social desirability bias, which affects the honesty of responses. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key function of validity items in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)?

<p>To identify individuals providing inconsistent or socially desirable responses. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)?

<p>To provide insight into personal strengths, blind spots, and preferences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do projective tests aim to assess personality.

<p>By having individuals interpret ambiguous stimuli, therefore revealing their unconscious processes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary critique of projective tests like the Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)?

<p>Their interpretation relies heavily on subjective analysis, resulting in low validity &amp; reliability. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are projective tests considered to be culturally biased?

<p>Their interpretation requires cultural understanding &amp; sensitivity, and they may reflect the cultural background of the test administrator. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Rotter Incomplete Sentence Blank (RISB) assess personality?

<p>By requiring subjects to complete sentence stems quickly as possible (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of the Contemporized Themes Concerning Blacks Test?

<p>It is the first culturally specific projective test, using images depicting African American lifestyles (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the TEMAS Multicultural Thematic Apperception Test?

<p>To be culturally relevant to minorities, and designed to be suitable for populations like Hispanic youth. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which approach would be most effective in understanding how specific cultural values influence personality?

<p>Using a combined approach that integrates both cultural-comparative and indigenous methods. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which assessment method relies most on the defence mechanism of projection?

<p>Projective tests (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Personality Traits

Tendencies to behave in certain ways that remain relatively constant across situations.

Who is Gordon Allport?

A psychologist known for categorizing personality traits into Cardinal, Central, and Secondary traits.

Cardinal Traits

Traits that dominate an individual's personality and life.

Central Traits

Traits that make up our personalities.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Secondary Traits

Traits that are present under specific circumstances and are not consistent.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Who is Raymond Cattell?

Proposed that there are 171 traits and measured using 16PF questionnaire.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Who are Hans and Sybil Eysenck?

Focused on temperament and devised tests to measure traits.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Superfactor

A cluster of specific traits.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are Eysenck's Three Superfactors?

Each trait fell within one of three superfactors: Extraversion/Introversion, Neuroticism/Stability, Psychoticism/Superego control

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the Big Five Personality Theory?

A model suggesting that personality is composed of five broad trait dimensions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Neuroticism

Tendency toward unstable emotions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the HEXACO model?

Big Five with honesty-humility added.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Culture

Beliefs, customs, traditions of a particular society.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Individualistic Cultures

Cultures valuing independence, competition and personal achievement.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Collectivist Cultures

Cultures valuing social harmony, respectfulness, and group needs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Self-Report Inventories

Paper-and-pencil questionnaires designed to assess various aspects of personality using Likert scales.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the MMPI-2?

Useful in assessing abnormal personality characteristics; includes validity items to account for social desirability response sets.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)?

Assesses four pairs of personality preferences to build an understanding of strengths and blind spots.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are Projective Tests?

Tests involving interpretations of an ambiguous stimulus in order to access unconscious mind.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the Rorschach Inkblot Test?

Shown a series of 10 'inkblots' and asked to indicate what they look like to you.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the Thematic Apperception Test?

Asked to make up a story about an ambiguous scene (picture).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Personality Traits

  • Manifest as tendencies to behave in certain ways
  • Remains relatively constant across situations
  • Includes characteristics such as outgoing, passive, pessimistic and moody

Gordon Allport's Trait Theory (1930s)

  • Approximately 4,500 words describe characteristics of people in the English language
  • Personality traits can be categorized into three levels: cardinal, central, and secondary
  • Cardinal traits dominate an individual's personality and life
  • Central traits make up one's personalities
  • Secondary traits are present under specific circumstances and are not always consistent

Raymond Cattell's Trait Theory (1940s/1950s)

  • Proposed that 171 traits exist
  • All personalities are composed of the same 16 dimensions
  • People differ in the degree to which they express each trait
  • Traits are measured through the 16PF questionnaire
  • Sensitivity is an example of personality factors
  • Low scores in sensitivity indicates being tough minded
  • High scores in sensitivity signify being sensitive and caring

Hans and Sybil Eysenck's Trait Theory (1960-1990s)

  • Focused on temperament
  • Advocated for the use of statistical measures
  • Devised tests to measure a large number of specific traits in large groups
  • Believed biology is the root of personality development; uses twin studies
  • Factor analysis used to determine which specific traits cluster together
  • Called each cluster a "superfactor"
  • Viewed each superfactor as a continuum rather than discrete categories
  • Each trait falls within one of three superfactors: extraversion/introversion, neuroticism/stability, and psychoticism/superego control

Big Five Personality Theory

  • Based on recent empirical studies
  • Proposes five superfactors: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism
  • The Big Five traits are relatively stable across the lifespan and across cultures and ethnicities
  • The HEXACO model is a variation of the Big Five, adding honesty-humility as a sixth factor

Cultural Understandings

  • Culture includes beliefs, customs, art, and traditions of a particular society
  • Some aspects of personality are affected by culture

Individualistic Cultures

  • Value independence, competition, and personal achievement
  • Associated with more personally oriented traits

Collectivist Cultures

  • Value social harmony, respectfulness, and group needs
  • Associated with more socially-oriented traits

Studying Personality in a Cultural Context

  • There are three approaches: cultural-comparative, indigenous, and combined

Personality Assessment: Self-Report Inventories

  • Use paper-and-pencil questionnaires (now computer-based) to assess various aspects of personality
  • Answers use Likert scales
  • May be prone to bias due to social desirability

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

  • MMPI-2 is used to assess abnormal personality characteristics
  • Contains 567 questions administered in about 1.5 hours
  • Includes validity items to account for social desirability response sets
  • Used for occupational screening and counselling

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

  • Used in organizations with a reliance on interpersonal dynamics
  • Helps to build an understanding of strengths and blind spots
  • Assesses four pairs of personality preferences: extraversion-introversion (E-I), sensing-intuition (S-N), thinking-feeling (T-F), and judging-perceiving (J-P)

Personality Assessment: Projective Tests

  • Involves interpretations of an ambiguous stimulus to access the unconscious mind
  • Relies on the defence mechanism of projection
  • Less subject to intentional distortion (social desirability)
  • Time-consuming and culturally biased

Rorschach Inkblot Test

  • Individuals are shown a series of 10 "inkblots" and asked to indicate what they look like
  • Standardized and effective for measuring some psychological disorders

Thematic Apperception Test

  • Individuals make up a story about an ambiguous scene (picture)
  • Used in clinical and counselling settings
  • Has low validity and reliability but is still widely used

Rotter Incomplete Sentence Blank (RISB)

  • Requires finishing incomplete sentences as quickly as possible
  • Used for career and college counseling

Contemporized Themes Concerning Blacks Test

  • The first culturally specific projective test
  • Uses images depicting African American lifestyles

TEMAS Multicultural Thematic Apperception Test

  • Designed to be culturally relevant to minorities, e.g., Hispanic youth

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser