Psychology: Personality Theories Test
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Questions and Answers

What are Trait Theories?

Personality traits are more or less permanent characteristics that influence how we see the world and respond to it.

Which of the following are basic assumptions of Trait Theories? (Select all that apply)

  • Personality traits are temporary
  • Every trait applies to all people to some extent (correct)
  • Trait theories are not scientifically based
  • Trait descriptions can be quantified (correct)

    • Which personality traits did Ancient Greeks classify?

  • Sanguine
  • Melancholic
  • Choleric
  • Phlegmatic
  • All of the above (correct)

    • Ancient Greeks felt the Ancient Greek Traits were caused by ______________.

    <p>humors (body fluids)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term sanguine mean?

    <p>Cheerful</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term melancholic mean?

    <p>Depressed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term choleric mean?

    <p>Irritable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term phlegmatic mean?

    <p>Unemotional</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Gordon Allport?

    <p>Trait theorist who researched the idea that individual personalities are unique.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Gordon Allport's traits fall into how many categories?

    <p>3</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are cardinal traits?

    <p>Extremely strong traits that dominate a person's behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are central traits?

    <p>Highly characteristic of people and apply to many situations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are secondary traits?

    <p>Weakest and least characteristic traits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Raymond Cattell?

    <p>Researched whether some traits predicted others and proposed 16 key personality dimensions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are surface traits?

    <p>Traits used to describe behavior that we see regularly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are source traits?

    <p>Traits that produce surface traits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Hans Eysenck?

    <p>Researched genetically influenced dimensions of personality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two major dimensions of personality identified by Eysenck?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following traits with their characteristics:

    <p>Extraversion = Outgoing, talkative Introversion = Thoughtful, reserved Emotional Stability = Calm under pressure, relaxed Instability = Highly emotional</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are Eysenck's 'Big 5 Traits'?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Proponents of trait theory believe that while genetics play a large role in our personality, _______________ also plays a role.

    <p>environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    By the time we get to be ___________ our traits are pretty much set.

    <p>adults</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Trait theories, especially the '__________' traits, think we are born with our traits.

    <p>Big 5</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was Hippocrates?

    <p>A Greek physician who believed personality manifested itself in 4 basic humors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy, personality is determined by what?

    <p>Balance of earth, wind, fire, water, and metal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are Doshas?

    <p>Three mind-body principles in Hindu medicine that suggest personality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What two popular 20th century theories emerged from the drive for a more scientific approach to understanding personality?

    <p>Social-Cognitive Perspective</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do Trait Theorists define personality?

    <p>Through stable and lasting behavior patterns and conscious motivations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is considered the first major trait theorist?

    <p>Gordon Allport</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What trait theory do the mnemonics OCEAN and CANOE refer to?

    <p>Big 5 Personality Traits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Briefly describe how the Big 5 Traits are measured.

    <p>Each of the Big 5 traits are put on a spectrum, with one end representing one type of person and the other end representing the opposite.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who are Robert McCrae and Paul Costa?

    <p>Theorists responsible for the Big 5 Theory.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic associated with Agreeableness?

    <p>Trust</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic associated with Extraversion?

    <p>Sociability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Trait Theories

    • Personality traits are enduring characteristics that shape perceptions and responses to the world.

    Basic Assumptions of Trait Theories

    • Traits are applicable to all individuals to varying degrees.
    • Trait characteristics can be quantified for measurement purposes.

    Ancient Greek Personality Classification

    • Four primary personality traits identified:
      • Sanguine (cheerful)
      • Melancholic (depressed)
      • Choleric (irritable)
      • Phlegmatic (unemotional)

    Humors Theory

    • Ancient Greeks attributed personality traits to four bodily fluids known as humors.

    Gordon Allport's Contributions

    • A key trait theorist emphasizing the uniqueness of individual personalities.
    • Advocated for studying mentally healthy individuals rather than seeking universal personality laws.
    • Categorized traits into three groups: cardinal, central, and secondary.

    Trait Categories According to Allport

    • Cardinal traits: Overarching characteristics that define a person, evident in most behaviors (e.g., Mother Teresa).
    • Central traits: Core characteristics that most people possess, typically 5-10 traits.
    • Secondary traits: Less defining, situation-specific traits.

    Raymond Cattell's Research

    • Proposed 16 fundamental personality dimensions to describe human personality.
    • Differentiated between surface traits (observable behaviors) and source traits (underlying core characteristics).

    Hans Eysenck's Dimensions of Personality

    • Focused on genetically influenced personality traits.
    • Identified two major personality dimensions:
      • Extraversion vs. Introversion
      • Emotional Stability vs. Instability
      • Added Psychoticism vs. Social Sensitivity.

    Eysenck's Big 5 Traits (CANOE)

    • Included the traits:
      • Conscientiousness
      • Agreeableness
      • Neuroticism (emotional stability vs. instability)
      • Openness
      • Extraversion

    Role of Environment

    • Trait theory proponents recognize the influence of environment along with genetics in personality development.

    Trait Stability in Adulthood

    • Personality traits are largely stable by adulthood.

    Big 5 Traits Nature

    • Proponents believe traits are innate, evident from birth.

    Historical Figures and Theories

    • Hippocrates suggested personality corresponds to four basic humors.
    • Traditional Chinese Medicine claims personality balances elements (earth, wind, fire, water, metal).
    • Hindu medicine identifies personality with three principles known as Doshas.

    Development of Trait and Social-Cognitive Perspectives

    • Scientific aspirations in personality psychology led to these two influential theories in the 20th century.

    Defining Personality in Trait Theory

    • Described as stable behavior patterns and conscious motivations.

    Key Contributors to the Big 5 Theory

    • Robert McCrae and Paul Costa are notable theorists behind the Big 5 model.

    Measuring the Big 5 Traits

    • Each trait exists on a spectrum, contrasting extremes against one another.

    Additional Trait Attributes

    • Agreeableness: Ranges from ruthlessness to trustworthiness.
    • Extraversion: Spectrum from reserved behavior to sociability.

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    Test your knowledge on personality theories with these flashcards. Each card provides definitions and key terms related to trait theories and their basic assumptions. Ideal for students looking to deepen their understanding of psychological concepts.

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