Week 2: Chapter 4 The Trait Perspective

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Questions and Answers

How do multiple traits influence behavior in a situation?

  • They ensure that traits always operate in every situation.
  • They determine the behavior exclusively based on the dominant trait.
  • They create a predictable outcome regardless of the situation.
  • They limit the strength of correlation for a single trait's effect. (correct)

What does the concept of behavioral signature imply about traits?

  • Traits are irrelevant in understanding behavior.
  • Traits have a universal effect on behavior.
  • Traits are consistent across all situations.
  • Traits affect behavior differently depending on the context. (correct)

What is implied by the use of verbal hedges when discussing personality traits?

  • Hedges mean traits are fully understood.
  • Traits have conditional relevance depending on situations. (correct)
  • There is certainty in how traits influence behavior.
  • Traits are always applicable regardless of context.

What significant shift did the work of Mischel and Shoda bring to the understanding of personality traits?

<p>Traits should be viewed as links between situations and actions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What correlation value is often associated with the interaction of multiple traits affecting behavior?

<p>0.30 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective emphasizes the situational context in relation to personality traits?

<p>Interactionism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the five-factor model suggest about personality traits?

<p>They can vary in expression depending on situational factors. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

From the perspective of psychologists, what role does the situation play in trait expression?

<p>It can influence and limit the expression of traits. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the interactionist view suggest about traits and behavior?

<p>Traits can influence behavior but are highly dependent on the situation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which view claims that people display their traits at a relatively constant level regardless of the situation?

<p>Absolute consistency (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might traits influence behavior according to the content?

<p>Traits can influence behavior sometimes, but their effect depends on the situation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has generally been overlooked by proponents of the five-factor model?

<p>The interaction between traits and situational factors. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context presented, how are behavior and traits described as related?

<p>Behavior is influenced by both individual traits and the current situation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the dynamic approach to traits in behavior?

<p>Traits may have varying influences depending on social situations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential misconception regarding traits as discussed?

<p>People will always express traits consistent with their personalities. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'behavioral signatures' refer to in the context of traits?

<p>Unique patterns of behavior that emerge depending on the interaction of traits and situations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of personality assessment do trait psychologists focus on?

<p>Creating a personality profile based on measurements across various dimensions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the influence of traits on behavior?

<p>The influence of traits is dependent on the situational context (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the diathesis-stress model suggest regarding personality disorders?

<p>Certain dispositions increase susceptibility to problems under stress (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the interactionist view, how do individuals influence their environments?

<p>By choosing situations and acting in a way that shapes those situations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by the term 'behavioral signature' in the context of personality traits?

<p>A consistent pattern of behavior tied to specific traits across different situations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of problems can arise from having an intrinsically problematic trait?

<p>Complications due to traits like psychoticism or neuroticism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best encapsulates the interactionist view of personality?

<p>Personality traits and situational factors work together to determine behavior (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential therapeutic approach from the trait perspective?

<p>Avoiding situations where problematic behaviors are triggered (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

0.30 correlation

A correlation of 0.30, while seemingly low in some contexts, isn't necessarily bad when considering that actions are often influenced by multiple traits. The influence of multiple traits can limit the strength of correlation for any single trait.

Interactionism

The idea that the expression of a personality trait depends on the specific situation. A trait doesn't always influence behavior; it only does so in relevant settings.

Behavioral Signature

A pattern of linkages between situations and actions that shows how a person's traits affects their response in different contexts.

Verbal Hedges

Words or phrases used to limit or qualify the applicability of personality traits (e.g., "shy with strangers").

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Influence of Multiple Traits

Behaviors are typically influenced by more than one trait, limiting the impact of a single trait on the behavior, and the correlational strength.

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Trait Influence

Traits sometimes strongly influence behavior in specific situations, other times not at all, depending on the specific situation.

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Interactionist View

The idea that the expression of personality traits is dependent on the situation.

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Relative Consistency

People maintain the same relative ordering of traits, but their overall level of expression may change depending on the situation.

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Absolute Consistency (Naive Model)

A false belief that traits always display at a consistent level regardless of the situation.

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Context-Dependent Trait Impact

The influence of a trait depends on the situation in which the person finds themselves.

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Behavioral States (Introversion/Extraversion)

People can demonstrate introverted or extraverted behaviors depending on the circumstances, no matter their general nature.

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Linkage View of Traits

The viewpoint that traits are linked with specific behavioral states, with some states being more frequent than others, reflecting a person's generalized trait.

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Trait Concept Limitations

Self-reported traits are not always reliable predictors of behavior.

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Situationism

The idea that behavior is primarily influenced by environmental factors.

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Interactionism

The idea that both personality and situations affect behavior.

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Behavioral Signature

A person's consistent patterns of responses in different situations.

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Trait-Situation Linkages

Traits as individual connections between situations and actions.

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Personality Profile

A description of a person's position on different personality traits.

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Problematic Traits

Certain personality traits can contribute to behavioral problems.

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Diathesis-Stress Model

Personality traits create vulnerability to problems that arise with certain stressors.

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Therapeutic Trait Change

Modifying how traits manifest in behavior or avoiding problematic situations.

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Study Notes

Learning Objectives

  • Distinguish between traits and types
  • Identify two different pathways to deciding which traits are important
  • Identify the five trait dimensions in the five-factor model
  • Describe behavioral manifestations of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness, and neuroticism
  • Contrast the five-factor model to Eysenck's model
  • Relate other models of traits to the five-factor model
  • Contrast the approach to behavior termed situationism and the one termed interactionism
  • Identify the concept of behavioral signature
  • Examine assessment and comparisons of profiles as inherent to the trait approach to personality
  • Identify implications of the five-factor model for understanding disorder
  • Identify two main criticisms of the trait approach to personality

Traits and Types

  • Traits are consistent qualities people carry from situation to situation
  • Types are categories of people grouped by different qualities
  • Hippocrates and Galen proposed four types: choleric, melancholic, sanguine, and phlegmatic
  • These were based on imbalances in bodily fluids
  • Modern typologies like introversion and extraversion are less widely accepted

Factor Analysis

  • A statistical tool to identify patterns of relations among variables
  • Correlates are used to identify factors (dimensions)
  • Factor loadings show how much items reflect factors
  • Factors are inferred but can't be directly observed

The Five-Factor Model

  • A model of personality structure encompassing five superordinate factors
  • Common in personality psychology
  • Factors include extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience
  • These factors are evident across cultures and languages
  • Extraversion relates to social impact; maintaining close relationships
  • Agreeableness relates to positive relations with others, less aggression
  • Conscientiousness relates to achievement, responsibility
  • Openness relates to social engagement, less stigma towards others
  • Neuroticism relates to distress, less satisfaction in relationships

Situationism vs Interactionism

  • Situationism: Behavior is primarily determined by the situation
  • Interactionism: Behavior is influenced by both traits and the situation

Behavioral Signature

  • A unique pattern of linkages between situations and actions
  • Patterns vary from person to person

Implications for Disorder

  • Trait approach is used to assess disorders
  • Some disorders are extreme manifestations of traits
  • Disorders sometimes result from interactions between traits and situations

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Chapter 4 The Trait Perspective

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