Psychology of Individual Differences Lecture 1

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of the psychology of individual differences?

Developmental psychology

Group differences and similarities

Observable differences between individuals (correct)

Abnormal psychology

What is the term used to describe the sum of variables that describe the observable consistency of behavior?

Latent trait

Descriptive trait (correct)

Type

Disposition

What is the term used to describe a continuum from minimum to maximum intensity of a given feature?

Dimension (correct)

Factor

Trait

Type

What is the branch of psychological knowledge that studies observable differences between individuals?

Differential psychology Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the stability of human behavior over time?

Disposition Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or a group?

Type Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the more-or-less enduring psychological characteristic that distinguishes one person from another?

Factor Signup and view all the answers

What are interindividual differences?

The variations between individuals in one or more traits, behaviors, or characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What are intraindividual differences?

Differences observed within the same person when they are assessed at different times or in different situations Signup and view all the answers

What is the psychology of individual differences concerned with?

Understanding the differences and similarities between individuals Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of behavioral genetics?

The study of the biological basis of individual differences Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the expression of an individual's genes in behavioral traits that can be measured?

Phenotype Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for calculating phenotypic variance?

VP = VG + VE Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a trait?

A person's tendency to be optimistic Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of studying MZ and DZ twins reared together and MZ twins reared apart in behavioral genetics?

To compare the influence of genetic and environmental factors on individual differences Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the statistical indicator of the influence of genetic factors on individual differences in behavioral traits?

Heritability coefficient Signup and view all the answers

Which ancient Greek philosopher is credited with proposing six distinct classes of people?

Aristotle Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of individual differences psychology?

To examine the empirical study of individual differences Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the nature of a disposition?

Abstract Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of pairs of people with different degrees of relatedness?

Family studies Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Individual Differences

Individual differences refer to the observable differences between individuals in terms of interests, values, preferences, physical, and psychological characteristics.
Branch of psychological knowledge that focuses on understanding these differences.

Types of Differences

Interindividual differences: variations between individuals in one or more traits, behaviors, or characteristics.
Intraindividual differences: differences observed within the same person when assessed at different times or in different situations.

Key Terms

Trait: enduring patterns of behavior and thought that are relatively consistent over time and across various situations.
Factor: a psychological characteristic that distinguishes one person from another and helps define individuality.
Dimension: a continuum from minimum to maximum intensity of a given feature.
Disposition: a construct used to describe the stability of human behavior over time.
Type: the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group.

Traits

Internal psychological disposition that remains largely unchanged throughout the lifespan and determines differences between individuals.
Descriptive traits: the sum of variables that describe the observable consistency of behavior that has occurred in the past.
Latent traits: features that cannot be directly observed.

Trait vs State

Traits: long-term conditions, revealed in response to a stimulus or in specific situations, abstract, and depend on the person.
States: short-term conditions, manifest themselves continuously, specific, and depend on the situation.

Behavioral Genetics

Study of the biological basis of individual differences.
Phenotype: expression of an individual's genes in behavioral traits that can be measured.
Heritability estimate: a statistical indicator of the influence of genetic factors on individual differences in behavioral traits.

Family Studies

Comparing pairs of people with different degrees of relatedness (e.g., MZ and DZ twins reared together and MZ twins reared apart).

Phenotypic Variance

VP = VG + VE
VP: phenotypic variance
VG: genetic variance
VE: environmental variance

Heritability Estimate

The portion of the phenotypic (total) variance that is attributable to genetic variance.

History of Individual Differences Psychology

A historically embedded science with roots in ancient Greece (Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Hippocrates, and Galen).
Focus on understanding individual differences and types.

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Description

This quiz covers the introductory topics of individual differences, including temperament and personality, intelligence, emotional intelligence, cognitive styles, creativity, mood, motivation, and biopsychological theory of personality.