Podcast
Questions and Answers
A psychologist using the trait perspective to understand personality would MOST likely focus on:
A psychologist using the trait perspective to understand personality would MOST likely focus on:
- Understanding how societal expectations shape individual behavior.
- Discovering relatively consistent patterns of behavior and tendencies in different situations. (correct)
- Identifying the unconscious conflicts driving behavior across different situations.
- Analyzing early childhood experiences and their effects on adult personality.
Gordon Allport's concept of 'cardinal traits' differs MOST significantly from 'central traits' in that cardinal traits:
Gordon Allport's concept of 'cardinal traits' differs MOST significantly from 'central traits' in that cardinal traits:
- Dominate and shape an individual's entire life and behavior. (correct)
- Are less pervasive and only surface in specific circumstances.
- Represent the core characteristics that readily describe an individual's personality.
- Are more commonly observed across a wide range of individuals within a population.
In Raymond Cattell's 16PF questionnaire, a person who scores low on 'Emotional Stability' and high on 'Liveliness' would MOST likely be described as:
In Raymond Cattell's 16PF questionnaire, a person who scores low on 'Emotional Stability' and high on 'Liveliness' would MOST likely be described as:
- Moody but adventurous. (correct)
- Relaxed and prudent.
- Calm and reserved.
- Practical and shy.
Hans and Sybil Eysenck's approach to personality differs MOST significantly from that of Raymond Cattell because the Eysencks:
Hans and Sybil Eysenck's approach to personality differs MOST significantly from that of Raymond Cattell because the Eysencks:
How would the 'Big Five' trait theory explain the behavior of an individual who is consistently late, disorganized, and frequently misses deadlines?
How would the 'Big Five' trait theory explain the behavior of an individual who is consistently late, disorganized, and frequently misses deadlines?
Which of the following BEST illustrates the concept of 'Openness' as defined in the Big Five personality traits?
Which of the following BEST illustrates the concept of 'Openness' as defined in the Big Five personality traits?
A researcher aims to study the 'Big Five' personality traits across different age groups. What potential source of bias should they MOST carefully consider when interpreting their results?
A researcher aims to study the 'Big Five' personality traits across different age groups. What potential source of bias should they MOST carefully consider when interpreting their results?
Which of the following BEST describes a key difference between studying personality in individualistic versus collectivist cultures?
Which of the following BEST describes a key difference between studying personality in individualistic versus collectivist cultures?
A researcher studying personality across cultures decides to use the 'indigenous approach.' What would be the MOST appropriate method for this approach?
A researcher studying personality across cultures decides to use the 'indigenous approach.' What would be the MOST appropriate method for this approach?
What is the MOST significant limitation of self-report inventories when assessing personality?
What is the MOST significant limitation of self-report inventories when assessing personality?
In the context of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), what is the purpose of including 'validity items'?
In the context of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), what is the purpose of including 'validity items'?
How does the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) primarily categorize personality?
How does the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) primarily categorize personality?
What is the PRIMARY goal of using projective tests in personality assessment?
What is the PRIMARY goal of using projective tests in personality assessment?
What is a significant limitation of using the Rorschach Inkblot Test in personality assessment?
What is a significant limitation of using the Rorschach Inkblot Test in personality assessment?
How does the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) MOSTLY aim to assess personality?
How does the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) MOSTLY aim to assess personality?
A psychologist wants to use a projective test that is MOST culturally relevant for assessing the personality of African American adolescents. Which test would be MOST appropriate?
A psychologist wants to use a projective test that is MOST culturally relevant for assessing the personality of African American adolescents. Which test would be MOST appropriate?
Which of the following represents the MOST significant challenge when attempting to apply Western personality assessments in non-Western cultural contexts?
Which of the following represents the MOST significant challenge when attempting to apply Western personality assessments in non-Western cultural contexts?
Why can directly translating a personality assessment for usage in another country cause issues?
Why can directly translating a personality assessment for usage in another country cause issues?
What conclusion can be drawn about the personality based on the 'Big Five' model?
What conclusion can be drawn about the personality based on the 'Big Five' model?
Which of the following statements accurately reflects a core concept of trait theories?
Which of the following statements accurately reflects a core concept of trait theories?
In a study comparing personality traits across different countries, researchers find that individuals in Country A score significantly higher on 'Agreeableness' than those in Country B. What conclusion can be drawn?
In a study comparing personality traits across different countries, researchers find that individuals in Country A score significantly higher on 'Agreeableness' than those in Country B. What conclusion can be drawn?
An executive is seeking to choose a personality assessment tool to understand the strengths and potential areas for growth among team members. Given the need for detailed and individual-specific reports, which assessment approach would be MOST effective?
An executive is seeking to choose a personality assessment tool to understand the strengths and potential areas for growth among team members. Given the need for detailed and individual-specific reports, which assessment approach would be MOST effective?
When assessing personality, how might social desirability affect the results of self-report measures?
When assessing personality, how might social desirability affect the results of self-report measures?
How do individualistic cultures differ from collectivistic cultures regarding personality?
How do individualistic cultures differ from collectivistic cultures regarding personality?
What key assumption underlies the use of projective tests in personality assessment?
What key assumption underlies the use of projective tests in personality assessment?
How did Hans and Sybil Eysenck primarily use factor analysis in their study of personality?
How did Hans and Sybil Eysenck primarily use factor analysis in their study of personality?
Which is the MOST likely result of a cross-cultural study on personality comparing individualistic and collectivistic cultures?
Which is the MOST likely result of a cross-cultural study on personality comparing individualistic and collectivistic cultures?
What is a KEY difference between the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and tests based on the Big Five personality traits?
What is a KEY difference between the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and tests based on the Big Five personality traits?
Which assessment method is LEAST influenced by culture-specific expressions of personality?
Which assessment method is LEAST influenced by culture-specific expressions of personality?
An organization relies on the MBTI. What should their HR be certain to avoid when making hiring decisions?
An organization relies on the MBTI. What should their HR be certain to avoid when making hiring decisions?
How does the HEXACO model extend the Big Five model of personality?
How does the HEXACO model extend the Big Five model of personality?
Researchers aim to study the impact of a natural disaster on personality traits within an affected community. Which study design is MOST suitable?
Researchers aim to study the impact of a natural disaster on personality traits within an affected community. Which study design is MOST suitable?
A psychologist decides to use both self-report questionnaires and behavioral observation. What is the MOST important reason for this approach?
A psychologist decides to use both self-report questionnaires and behavioral observation. What is the MOST important reason for this approach?
What is the MOST important ethical consideration when interpreting personality assessment results?
What is the MOST important ethical consideration when interpreting personality assessment results?
How might a psychologist adjust testing style to serve a client in a collectivist culture?
How might a psychologist adjust testing style to serve a client in a collectivist culture?
Flashcards
Personality Traits
Personality Traits
Tendencies to behave in certain ways that remain relatively constant across situations.
Cardinal Traits
Cardinal Traits
Dominates personality and significantly influences a person's life.
Central Traits
Central Traits
Traits that make up core personality and are generally descriptive.
Secondary Traits
Secondary Traits
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Factor Analysis
Factor Analysis
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Extraversion
Extraversion
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Neuroticism
Neuroticism
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Psychoticism
Psychoticism
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Openness
Openness
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Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness
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Agreeableness
Agreeableness
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Neuroticism
Neuroticism
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Culture
Culture
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Individualistic Cultures
Individualistic Cultures
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Collectivist cultures
Collectivist cultures
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Self-Report Inventories
Self-Report Inventories
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Social Desirability Bias
Social Desirability Bias
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MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory)
MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory)
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MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)
MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)
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Projective Tests
Projective Tests
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Rorschach Inkblot Test
Rorschach Inkblot Test
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Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
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Study Notes
Trait Perspective
- Personality traits are tendencies to behave in consistent ways across situations
- Characteristic ways of behaving include being outgoing, passive, pessimistic, or moody
Gordon Allport (1930s)
- Allport identified ~4500 words in the English language to describe personality characteristics
- He categorized these traits into three levels: cardinal, central, and secondary
Allport's Trait Categories
- Cardinal traits dominate personality and life
- Central traits comprise individual personalities
- Secondary traits are present only under specific circumstances and are not consistent
Raymond Cattell (1940s/1950s)
- Cattell suggested there were 171 traits
- All personalities consist of the same 16 dimensions, differing in the degree of expression
- The 16PF questionnaire measures these dimensions, such as sensitivity
Hans and Sybil Eysenck (1960s-1990s)
- Eysenck focused on temperament
- They advocated for statistical measures in personality assessment
- They devised tests to measure specific traits in large groups, using factor analysis to find trait clusters
- Eysenck called each cluster a "superfactor" and viewed them as a continuum
- Biology, including twin studies, underlies personality development
Eysenck's Superfactors
- Each trait aligns with one of three superfactors: extraversion/introversion, neuroticism/stability, or psychoticism/superego control.
Big Five Personality Theory
- Based on recent empirical studies
- Most trait theorists use this model
- It proposes five superfactors: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism
Big Five Model Characteristics
- Openness includes imagination, feelings, actions, and ideas; Those low in it are practical, conventional, and prefer routine, whilst those high in it are curious, have a wide range of interests, and are independent
- Conscientiousness includes competence, self-discipline, thoughtfulness, and goal-driven behavior; Those low in it are impulsive, careless, and disorganized, whilst those high in it are hardworking, dependable, and organized
- Extraversion involves sociability, assertiveness, and emotional expression; Those low in it are quiet, reserved, and withdrawn, whilst those high in it are outgoing, warm, and seek adventure
- Agreeableness includes being cooperative, trustworthy, and good-natured; Those low in it are critical, uncooperative, and suspicious, whilst those high in it are helpful, trusting, and empathetic
- Neuroticism is a tendency toward unstable emotions; Those low in it are calm, even-tempered, and secure, whilst those high in it are anxious, unhappy, and prone to negative emotions
Big Five Stability & HEXACO
- Big Five traits remain stable across lifespan, culture, and ethnicity
- The HEXACO model adds honesty-humility to the Big Five factors
Culture
- Culture includes beliefs, customs, art, and traditions of a society
- Culture affects some aspects of personality
- Western personality concepts don't always apply to other cultures
- The Big Five traits manifest differently in individualistic versus collectivist cultures
Individualistic Cultures
- Individualistic cultures value independence, competition, and personal achievement
- They have more personally oriented traits like self-sufficiency, uniqueness, independence and autonomy
Collectivist Cultures
- Collectivist cultures value social harmony, respectfulness, and group needs
- They have more socially-oriented traits such as selflessness, group work, and benefitting/ supporting society
Studying Personality in a Cultural Context
- Three approaches to study personality: cultural-comparative, indigenous, and combined
Self-Report Inventories
- These are questionnaires designed to assess personality
- Questions use Likert scales
- Response bias (social desirability) is possible
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
- MMPI-2 is useful in assessing abnormal personality characteristics from 567 questions, taking ~1.5 hours
- It includes validity items to address social desirability response sets
- The MMPI is also useful for occupational screening and counselling
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
- The MBTI is used in organizations that emphasize interpersonal dynamics
- It aims to build understanding of personal strengths and blind spots
- The MBTI assesses four pairs of personality preferences: Extraversion-Introversion, Sensing-Intuition, Thinking-Feeling, Judging-Perceiving
Projective Tests
- Projective tests involve interpretations of an ambiguous stimulus to access the unconscious mind
- They rely on the defense mechanism of projection
- They are less subject to intentional distortion but are more time-consuming and culturally biased
Rorschach Inkblot Test
- Individuals are shown a series of 10 "inkblots" and asked to describe what they resemble
- Useful in measuring some psychological disorders
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
- Individuals create a story about an ambiguous scene in a picture
- It is used in clinical and counseling settings
- This test has low validity and reliability but remains widely used
Other Projective Tests
- The Rotter Incomplete Sentence Blank (RISB) involves quickly finishing incomplete sentences for career and college counseling
- The Contemporized Themes Concerning Blacks Test (C-TCB) is a culturally specific projective test using images of African American lifestyles
- The TEMAS Multicultural Thematic Apperception Test is designed to be culturally relevant to minorities such as Hispanic youth
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