Understanding Personality Concepts - chapter 1 and 2

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Questions and Answers

What are three reasons for using the concept of personality?

To understand specific individuals better (correct)

To categorize and predict behaviors across populations (correct)

To enhance communication skills (correct)

To analyze psychological disorders

What are the two primary reasons people use the term 'personality'?

To convey consistency and internal causality (correct)

To emphasize external influences and variability

To indicate adaptability and change

To denote randomness and unpredictability

Which of the following statements about personality, according to Gordon Allport's definition, is NOT true?

Personality is simply an accumulation of traits. (correct)

Personality influences how a person relates to the world.

Personality shows up in various forms such as thoughts and feelings.

Personality has an organization and processes within an individual.

Which of the following statements best describes the two fundamental themes in personality psychology?

Individual differences and intrapersonal functioning. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are examples of individual differences in personality? (Select all that apply)

Intelligence Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'intrapersonal functioning' refer to according to Allport (1961)?

A dynamic organization of internal processes Signup and view all the answers

What are the two primary functions that any theory in personality psychology should serve?

To describe and to predict behavior Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main purposes of theories in psychology?

To explain phenomena and predict new information Signup and view all the answers

How do psychologists evaluate the validity of a theory in personality psychology?

They seek to test the theory and its predictions through research. Signup and view all the answers

What was Sigmund Freud's view on the importance of insight in personality psychology?

Insights are sufficient in themselves and do not need external validation. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the criteria for evaluating whether a psychological theory is considered good?

It should evoke some sort of reaction. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'parsimony' refer to in the context of scientific theories?

The principle that scientific theories should be as simple as possible Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best summarizes the main themes of the theoretical perspectives on personality discussed in the text?

Each theoretical perspective provides a unique view on human nature and understanding behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective emphasizes the role of genetic inheritance in personality?

Inheritance and Evolution Perspective Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the trait perspective in personality psychology?

The stability of personality across different settings. Signup and view all the answers

What is the core idea behind the motive perspective in understanding personality?

Motive forces are central to understanding human behavior and personality. Signup and view all the answers

What does the biological process perspective suggest about personality?

Personality reflects the workings of the body and brain. Signup and view all the answers

What does the psychoanalytic perspective suggest about human nature?

Personality is a set of internal psychic forces that compete and conflict with one another. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the most important aspect of human nature according to psychosocial theories?

The formation of relationships with other people Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the learning perspective in relation to personality?

Personality changes systematically as a result of experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is central to the self-actualization and self-determination perspective of personality?

The sense of self-determination Signup and view all the answers

According to the cognitive perspective on personality, what is the starting point for understanding human nature?

The role of cognitive processes in deriving meaning from experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What does self-regulating psychologically mean?

Synthesizing goals and moving toward them Signup and view all the answers

What is often argued should be included for a full understanding of personality?

Genetic design of the human Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason personality psychologists measure personality?

To portray the personalities of specific persons accurately Signup and view all the answers

Why is good assessment important in personality research?

It helps identify personality traits. Signup and view all the answers

Why is assessing personality important in applied psychology?

To aid in making hiring decisions and diagnosing problems Signup and view all the answers

How do different theories of personality suggest addressing problems in behavior?

By analyzing the underlying causes and proposing therapeutic strategies. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two fundamental themes that the field of personality addresses?

Existence of differences among people and processes within individuals Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics make a theory more credible in the context of personality assessment?

Being parsimonious with fewer assumptions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly defines a case study, experience sampling, and the concept of generality?

A detailed examination of a singular subject, a method to collect data in real-time, and the applicability of findings to broader populations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options correctly identifies the two kinds of relationships between variables?

Causal and Correlational Signup and view all the answers

When people try to understand personality, what is the first step they typically take?

They conduct scientific research and experiments. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a main source of information about personality?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

What is the main problem with introspection as a method of gathering information about personality?

It may distort one's memories due to a special relationship with them. Signup and view all the answers

What term did Henry Murray coin to refer to the study of an entire person as a coherent entity?

Personology Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of conducting a case study?

It allows for in-depth exploration of individual behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of experience sampling studies?

Participants are prompted to report on their current experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of experience sampling methods?

They yield less distortion in recall. Signup and view all the answers

What is the idiographic method in personality studies?

A method that seeks patterns in the behavior of individuals over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main problem with using case studies in personality research?

They only deal with one person. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of a variable in the context of establishing relationships between variables?

A variable must have at least two levels or values. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the relationship between self-esteem and academic performance based on the information provided on page 11 Figure 2.1?

The relationship between self-esteem and academic performance cannot be concluded based on a single observation. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two aspects of correlation discussed in the context of self-esteem and academic performance?

Direction and strength Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a scatterplot in studying the relationship between self-esteem scores and GPAs?

To visualize the correlation between two variables. Signup and view all the answers

According to the description in Figure 2.2, what does it mean if self-esteem and GPA are positively correlated?

Low self-esteem corresponds to low GPA, and high self-esteem corresponds to high GPA. Signup and view all the answers

What describes a negative correlation between two variables?

High values on one dimension correspond with low values on another dimension. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding correlation and scatterplots?

Perfect positive correlation shows no scatter. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum value a correlation coefficient can have?

1.0 Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by a correlation being statistically significant?

The correlation is believed to be real because it is unlikely to occur by chance. Signup and view all the answers

What does correlational research NOT provide evidence for?

Causality between the variables Signup and view all the answers

What are the three possibilities regarding the relationship between academic performance and self-esteem as described in Figure 2.5?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

What is the third-variable problem in correlational research?

It suggests that a third, unmeasured variable may influence both measured variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of the independent variable in an experimental method?

It is the variable that the researcher manipulates Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of random assignment in an experimental method?

To ensure that each group is similar with respect to personality and other variables Signup and view all the answers

What does the manipulation of the independent variable in an experiment allow researchers to conclude about the dependent measure?

It ensures that any observed differences in the dependent measure are caused by the independent variable manipulation. Signup and view all the answers

Is the study comparing sociability in overweight and underweight individuals classified as an experiment or a correlational study?

Correlational Study Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue discussed in the article regarding the correlation between early retirement and cognitive decline on page 16 Box 2.1?

Cognitive decline causes people to retire earlier. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research allows for the examination of events over long periods, including ethical situations that cannot be manipulated?

Correlational studies Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of multifactor studies in experimental personality research?

They can vary two or more variables separately. Signup and view all the answers

What is a main effect in the context of multifactor research?

A finding that is linked to the outcome in a systematic way, independent of other predictors. Signup and view all the answers

Which research method determines the degree to which two variables tend to go together in a predictable way?

Correlational research Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the experimental method in psychological research?

Manipulation of an independent variable Signup and view all the answers

What are fundamental issues involved in the scientific investigation of personality?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of both theory and research in the scientific investigation of personality?

Theory provides a framework for understanding, while research tests and validates these theories. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods are commonly used to investigate personality theories and associated constructs? (Select all that apply)

Surveys and Questionnaires Signup and view all the answers

What are the two fundamental themes addressed in the field of personality?

Differences among people and intrapersonal functioning Signup and view all the answers

According to Chopik and Kitayama (2018), which of the following big five personality traits showed changes throughout the lifespan?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What did the study by Harris, Brett, Johnson and Deary (2016) find regarding personality stability from age 14 to age 77?

There was no significant stability of the six personality characteristics over the 63-year interval. Signup and view all the answers

What are two fundamental issues in personality psychology when considering personality as a construct?

Individual differences and intrapersonal functioning Signup and view all the answers

What are the two fundamental purposes of a theory in personality psychology?

To explain known information and predict new information Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective focuses on stable qualities in people?

Trait Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods are considered informal sources of information in the study of personality?

Observation of self Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are formal methods of study in personality psychology? (Select all that apply)

Case study Signup and view all the answers

One reason that a personality psychologist might not use the experimental method is that:

for ethical reasons, certain variables can’t be manipulated. Signup and view all the answers

The broader a theory is,

the more likely it is to be ambiguous. Signup and view all the answers

Allport's definition of personality includes all of the following points EXCEPT the idea that personality:

is a purely psychological concept. Signup and view all the answers

The two fundamental issues to keep in mind when looking at personality as a construct are individual differences and intrapersonal functioning.

True Signup and view all the answers

Chopik and Kitayama (2018) found that there was no change in the big-five personality traits over a lifespan.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding individual theories of personality?

They may be grouped by metatheoretical perspectives with overlapping connections. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

### Reasons for Using the Concept of Personality

Helps understand individual differences in behavior and thinking
Provides framework to predict behavior
Guides interventions to improve psychological well-being

### Uses of the Term 'Personality'

Describe and explain characteristics of individuals
Focus on how individuals differ in traits and behaviors

### Gordon Allport's Definition of Personality: What is NOT True

Personality is shaped solely by environmental factors

### Fundamental Themes in Personality Psychology

Uniqueness and individuality of each person
How individuals think, feel, and behave

### Examples of Individual Differences in Personality

Introversion vs. Extraversion
Agreeableness vs. Antagonism
Conscientiousness vs. Impulsivity

### Intrapersonal Functioning

How individuals manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors within themselves

### Functions of Theories in Personality Psychology

Provide a framework for understanding personality
Guide research and interventions

### Purposes of Theories in Psychology

Organize and summarize existing knowledge
Predict future events

### Evaluation of Theories in Personality Psychology

By examining its parsimony, comprehensiveness, and empirical support

### Sigmund Freud's View on Insight

Essential to understanding and addressing personality issues

### Criteria for Evaluating Psychological Theories

Predictive accuracy

### Parsimony in Scientific Theories

Simplicity and conciseness while still explaining phenomena

### Main Themes of Theoretical Perspectives on Personality

Understanding individual differences in traits, motivations, and biological processes

### Genetic Inheritance in Personality

Emphasized by biological perspective

### Trait Perspective in Personality Psychology

Focuses on identifying and measuring stable personality traits

### Core Idea of Motive Perspective

People are driven by specific needs and goals

### Biological Process Perspective on Personality

Emphasizes the role of genetics and neurobiology in shaping personality

### Psychoanalytic Perspective on Human Nature

Emphasizes unconscious conflicts and their influence on behavior

### Most Important Aspect of Human Nature in Psychosocial Theories

Social interaction and relationships

### Learning Perspective on Personality

Focus on how experiences shape behaviors and personality

### Self-Actualization and Self-Determination Perspective

Emphasizes individual growth, autonomy, and purpose

### Cognitive Perspective on Personality

Starts with the idea that individuals interpret and process information differently

### Self-Regulating Psychologically

Ability to manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviors

### Full Understanding of Personality

Includes both intrapersonal and interpersonal factors

### Why Personality Psychologists Measure Personality

To understand individual differences and predict behavior

### Importance of Good Assessment in Personality Research

Ensures accurate and reliable measurements

### Importance of Assessing Personality in Applied Psychology

Helps develop effective interventions and treatment plans

### Addressing Problems in Behavior

Different personality theories provide different approaches to addressing problems