Personality Traits and Theories Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What distinguishes Major Depressive Disorder from Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Major Depressive Disorder has recurrent episodes with periods of full recovery. (correct)

Major Depressive Disorder involves chronic symptoms lasting for years.

Individuals with Major Depressive Disorder do not require treatment.

Major Depressive Disorder features constant low mood without breaks.

How long do symptoms of Persistent Depressive Disorder typically last in adults?

Around two years or more (correct)

Only during puberty

Up to one year

Less than six months

What aspect differentiates individuals with dysthymia from those with schizoid personality disorder?

Individuals with dysthymia often feel bothered by their mood. (correct)

Symptoms of dysthymia are more severe than those of schizoid PD.

Dysthymia is diagnosed in childhood, while schizoid is in adulthood.

Individuals with schizoid personality disorder seek social interactions.

Which of the following best describes the mood state in Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Constant state of low mood with few breaks in symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Autism Spectrum Disorder?

It involves poor nonverbal communication skills. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of schizoids’ emotional experience contrasts with those suffering from persistent depressive disorder?

Schizoids show little concern or unhappiness about their condition. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding Persistent Depressive Disorder?

The symptoms are milder but continuous. Signup and view all the answers

Which finding is most likely associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Restricted interests and stereotypes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a personality disorder?

A stable and long-term pattern of behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which cluster of personality disorders is characterized by unusual behaviors?

Cluster A Signup and view all the answers

What is the prevalence of personality disorders according to the provided information?

9-15% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the criteria for diagnosing a personality disorder?

Symptom severity leading to minimal impairment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following personality disorders falls under Cluster B?

Narcissistic Signup and view all the answers

What does construct validity refer to in the context of the MMPI-2?

The evidence that a test measures what it claims to measure Signup and view all the answers

Why is the categorical model of personality disorders criticized?

It is overly simplistic and does not account for variation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is part of the criteria for personality disorders?

Inflexible and pervasive behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which attachment style is associated with a view of self as inadequate and a view of others as positive?

Preoccupied Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the diagnosis of personality disorders in adolescents?

Diagnosis can be made before 18 if symptoms persist for 1 year. Signup and view all the answers

Which personality disorder is characterized by both positive self-view and inadequate & not trustworthy view of others?

Fearful Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

From which study did researchers find that certain personality traits remained stable from adolescence to adulthood?

The Children in the Community Study Signup and view all the answers

Which attachment style is typically viewed as inadequate both in self and others, while still being associated with certain personality disorders?

Fearful Signup and view all the answers

Which personality disorder is specifically noted for its existence on a continuum from Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

Antisocial Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of individuals with the Dismissing attachment style concerning their view of others?

Inadequate and not trustworthy Signup and view all the answers

What describes the emotional impact of personality disorders during adolescence?

They may cause some degree of impairment or distress. Signup and view all the answers

Which personality trait is associated with being flexible and open to new experiences?

Openness Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is typical of someone with high conscientiousness?

Diligence Signup and view all the answers

How does high neuroticism typically affect an individual's emotional responses?

Leads to anxiety and sadness Signup and view all the answers

Which trait reflects an individual's tendency to be cooperative and compassionate?

Agreeableness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of low extroversion?

Warmth Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the criticisms regarding personality assessments like the MBTI?

Lack of empirical support Signup and view all the answers

In the OCEAN model, which trait involves being imaginative and curious?

Openness Signup and view all the answers

Individuals with low levels of conscientiousness are likely to be perceived as:

Irresponsible and careless Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible effect of high levels of extraversion?

Thrill-seeking behavior Signup and view all the answers

How is neuroticism primarily characterized?

Tendency towards negative feelings Signup and view all the answers

Which trait is aligned with being organized and reliable?

Conscientiousness Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about personality according to the content?

Personality traits are absolute and unchanging Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an individual high in agreeableness?

Trusting and forgiving Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does the OCEAN model NOT measure?

Cultural background Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the dimensional model of personality pathology?

Domains of functioning and impairments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following personality traits is associated with high levels of anxiety?

Negative affectivity Signup and view all the answers

Which level of impairment in personality functioning is characterized by successful functioning but with observable difficulties?

Mild Signup and view all the answers

What is a required characteristic for diagnosing one of the six specific personality disorders?

Moderate impairments in two personality functions Signup and view all the answers

In the context of personality traits, what does detachment primarily refer to?

Low extroversion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a pathological personality trait?

Introversion Signup and view all the answers

What is the main distinction between temperament and character in personality development?

Temperament refers to biological factors, while character includes learned traits Signup and view all the answers

Which type of interpersonal functioning is directly related to the ability to form deep and meaningful relationships?

Intimacy Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics define the trait of disinhibition?

Impulsivity and irresponsibility Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the purpose of trait-specific diagnosis?

To identify people without severe traits who exhibit specific impairments Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Perceiving vs. Judging

Perceiving: Preferring new information, flexible, less structured
Judging: Preferring conclusions, structured, ordered, planned, decisive

Research Behind MBTI

Not entirely accepted in the research community
Based on theory rather than empirical evidence
Critiques:
- Personality is on a spectrum, not a dichotomy
- Studies show inconsistent reliability

Neuroticism - Extraversion - Openness - Agreeableness - Conscientiousness

Personality Index Revised (NEO-PI-R) questionnaire & Five Factor Model (OCEAN)
Uses factor analysis for 5 personality domains
- Openness
  - High: curious, adventurous, independent
  - Low: practical, prefer routine
- Conscientiousness
  - High: hardworking, dependable, organized
  - Low: impulsive, careless, disorganized
- Extraversion
  - High: outgoing, warm, adventurous
  - Low: quiet, reserved, withdrawn
- Agreeableness
  - High: helpful, trusting, empathetic
  - Low: critical, uncooperative, suspicious
- Neuroticism (Negative Affectivity)
  - High: Anxious, unhappy, negative emotions
  - Low: Calm, even-tempered, secure

Openness

Appreciation for art, emotions, adventure, unusual ideas, imagination, curiosity, and variety of experience.
High: Flexible perspectives to form creative connections, novelty seeking, inherently curious
High: Greater emotional breadth and depth but not necessarily more positive or negative emotions
High: Eccentricity, unusual beliefs, perceptual dysregulation

Conscientiousness

Motivation, control, and organization in goal-directed behavior
High: Self-directed, diligent, ambitious, rigid perfectionism, perseverance
Low: Aimless, lazy, unreliable, careless, irresponsibility, distractibility, impulsivity, risk-taking

Extraversion

Engaging with the world over inner thoughts
High: Social, warm, stimulation from others, attention-seeking
Very Low: Socially withdrawn, lack of pleasure from company of others
Low: Intimacy avoidance, social withdrawal, anhedonia, restricted affectivity
Very High: Sexual promiscuity, thrill-seeking behaviors, emotional intrusiveness

Agreeableness

Compassionate and cooperative rather than suspicious and antagonistic
High: Compassionate, trusting, forgiving, empathetic, submissiveness
Low: Antagonistic, cynical, suspicious, rude, grandiosity, callousness, deceitfulness, manipulativeness

Neuroticism (Negative Affectivity)

How an individual responds to threat, frustration, or loss
Tendency towards negative feelings: anger, sadness, fear
Unrealistic ideas
Poor frustration tolerance
Higher levels of neuroticism correlated with anxiety, depression, separation insecurity, hostility, emotional lability, and personality disorders.

The Research Behind MMPI-2

Empirically created
Demonstrated construct validity
Highly researched measure
Highly respected measure
Validity supported by cross-reference partner questionnaires

What Is a Personality Disorder?

Enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates significantly from the patient's culture manifested in 2 or more of the following areas:
- Cognition (thinking)
- Affectivity (emotional experience)
- Interpersonal functioning (how society is affecting people engaging with others)
- Impulse control (impulse control)

General Personality Disorder Criteria

Stable, long-duration, inflexible, pervasive across settings
Onset by adolescence or early adulthood
Leads to significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning
The personality disorder is not better explained by something else:
- Another mental disorder
- Substance intoxication
- Medical conditions
- Individual's culture
- A developmental stage

Categorical Model of Personality Disorders

9-15% prevalence
Categorized into three clusters:
- Cluster A (Unusual behaviors)
  - Schizoid
  - Schizotypal
  - Paranoid (5.7% prevalence)
- Cluster B (Dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviors)
  - Histrionic
  - Borderline
  - Narcissistic
  - Antisocial (1.5% prevalence)
- Cluster C (Anxious thoughts and behaviors)
  - Avoidant
  - Dependent
  - Obsessive compulsive (6.0% prevalence)
Diagnosis requires number of symptoms for a diagnosis

Limitations & Criticism of the Categorical Model

Comorbidities:
- Double counting or two or more personality disorders?
Binary model when personality pathology lies on a spectrum
Heterogeneity

Dimensional (Alternative) Model

Looks at the degree of impairment
- Self-functioning:
  - Identity
  - Self-direction
- Interpersonal Functioning:
  - Empathy:
    - Understanding emotions of others
    - Caring about the emotions other people are experiencing
    - Understanding motivation of other people
  - Intimacy:
    - Emotional intimacy
    - Developing deep and meaningful relationships with others
Degree of Impairment:
- None
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
- Extreme

Pathological Personality Traits

Negative affectivity (Neuroticism)
Detachment (Low extroversion)
Antagonism (Low Agreeableness)
Disinhibition (Low conscientiousness)
Psychoticism
- Negative Affectivity: Emotional liability, separation insecurity, submissiveness, hostility, perseveration, depressivity, suspiciousness, restricted affectivity (lack of)
- Detachment: Withdrawal, intimacy avoidance, anhedonia, depressivity, suspiciousness, restricted affectivity (lack of)
- Antagonism: Manipulativeness, deceitfulness, grandiosity, callousness, hostility
- Disinhibition: Irresponsibility, impulsivity, distractibility, risk taking, rigid perfection (lack of)
- Psychoticism: Unusual beliefs and experiences, eccentricity, cognitive and perceptual dysregulation

Making a Diagnosis (Dimensional Model)

6 diagnoses
- Schizotypal
- Antisocial
- Borderline
- Narcissistic
- Avoidant
- Obsessive-Compulsive
Each disorder is characterized by typical types of at least moderate impairments in 2 of the 4 personality functions (identity, self-direction, empathy, intimacy) and a set of pathological personality traits (3 of the 4 traits, and one of them has to be anxiousness).
Trait Specific Diagnosis: For those who do not meet criteria for a disorder, must have moderate or greater impairment in 2 of the 4 personality functions and specific personality trait domain facet
- Example: Personality disorder -- disinhibition trait

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Dimensional Model

Categorical model looks at specific symptoms, dimensional model looks at domains of difficulty

Temperament & Character

Temperament: Nature, biological determinants of personality, what is innate to an individual
Character: Nurture, learned, psychological influences on personality, based on environment

The First Attachment & Internal Working models

Infant Primary Caregiver
Infant Attachment:
- Secure: Some distress when left with a stranger
- Insecure: Inadequate & Not Trustworthy
- Attachment Styles: Secure, Preoccupied, Fearful, Dismissing, Preoccupied-Fearful, Fearful-Dismissing, Disorganized

Adolescents & Personality Disorders

Some degree of impairment in functioning or distress during adolescence
Personality disorders are persistent through many developmental stages
Clinicians are careful to diagnose in adolescents
“Emerging Personality Traits”
Diagnosis before age 18 if symptoms are persistent for 1 year
- Exception is Antisocial Personality Disorder which exists on a continuum from Oppositional Defiant Disorder & Conduct Disorder, which are diagnoses reserved for patient < 18 years old

Can We Predict Which Adolescents will go on to Develop Personality Disorders?

The Children in the Community Study (2000)
- Longitudinal research project exploring the development of personality traits and personality disorders from childhood to adulthood
- Some variability in personality traits across time but certain traits remained relatively stable, especially between adolescence and adulthood.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder
- Recurrent episodes
- Full interepisode recovery
- Severity: More severe than Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD or Dysthymia):
- Chronic, long-lasting symptoms
- No full recovery
- Mild but persistent

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) vs. Schizoid PD

Those with dysthymia are unhappy by their chronic low state of mood
Those with schizoid PD do not appear bothered by being distant, solitary, and having limited pleasure in life

Autism Spectrum Disorder vs. Schizoid PD

Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Neurodevelopmental disorder
- Symptoms present in early childhood
- Poor social reciprocity, limited peer relationships, poor nonverbal communication skills, difficulty creating and maintaining social relationships
- Restricted interests and stereotypes
Schizoid PD
- Personality Disorder
- Diagnosed typically in adulthood
- Similar symptoms of limited social interactions, often engage in solitary activities

On the Continuity Between Autistic and Schizoid Personality Disorder Trait Burden: A Prospective Study in Adolescence (Cook, Zhang, Constantino) -- ARTICLE

Study design:
- Study population: 72 high-functioning verbal males
- Autistic traits positively associated with later schizoid personality disorder symptoms
- The presence of autistic traits, but not the presence of an ASD diagnosis, predicted future schizoid traits.
- Schizoid personality disorder emerged at the higher strata of the autistic trait continuum.
- The presence of autistic traits seems to predict future schizoid traits, even without an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.
- This suggests some continuity between these two conditions.

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Description

Test your knowledge on personality theories and traits, including the differences between perceiving and judging preferences. Explore the Five Factor Model and the critiques of the MBTI framework. This quiz covers key concepts in personality psychology.