Chapter 1 Introduction to Personality Theory PDF

Chapter 1: Introduction to Personality Theory What is Personality? Personality is a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give consistency and individuality to a person's behavior. “Persona” referred to a theatrical mask worn by Roman actors in Greek dr...

Chapter 1: Introduction to Personality Theory What is Personality? Personality is a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give consistency and individuality to a person's behavior. “Persona” referred to a theatrical mask worn by Roman actors in Greek dramas What is Personality? Key Components: Traits: Contribute to individual differences and stability over time Characteristics: Include attributes like temperament, physique, and intelligence. What is a Theory? A scientific theory is a set of related assumptions that allows researchers to use logical reasoning to formulate testable hypotheses. Essential Features: Set of Assumptions Set of Related Assumptions Assumptions Logical Deductive Reasoning Testability Theory and its Relative 1. Philosophy 2. Speculation 3. Hypothesis - is an educated guess or prediction specific enough for its validity to be tested through the use of the scientific method 4. Taxonomy - classification of things according to their natural relationships. "Why do we have so many theories? Perspectives in Theories of Personality Psychodynamic Founders: Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Alfred Adler. Key Focus: Hidden motives, childhood conflicts, and the role of unconscious processes. Perspectives in Theories of Personality Humanistic-Existential Founders: Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, Rollo May. Key Focus: Positive psychological health, personal choice, and existential challenges. Perspectives in Theories of Personality Dispositional Founders: Gordon Allport, McCrae & Costa. Key Focus: Stable dispositions such as introversion and extraversion. Perspectives in Theories of Personality Biological-Evolutionary Founders: Hans Eysenck, David Buss. Key Focus: Biological bases of behavior and adaptation through evolution. Perspectives in Theories of Personality Learning-(Social) Cognitive Founders: Albert Bandura, B.F. Skinner, Walter Mischel. Key Focus: Observational learning, reinforcement, and cognitive interpretation. What makes a Theory Useful? 1. Generates Research. 2. Is Falsifiable. 3. Organizes Data. 4. Guides Action. 5. Is Internally Consistent. 6. Is Parsimonious. Dimensions for a Concept of Humanity Theories differ in their assumptions about: Free Will vs. Determinism: Do individuals have control over their actions? Pessimism vs. Optimism Causality vs. Teleology Conscious vs. Unconscious Biological vs. Social Influences (Nature vs. Nurture) Uniqueness vs. Similarities; Are humans fundamentally unique, or do they share universal traits? 1. Which of the following is a primary characteristic of personality? a) Flexibility b) Unpredictability c) Consistency d) Randomness 2. A scientific theory must be testable and ________. a) Flexible b) Falsifiable c) Speculative d) Absolute 3. The term persona, from which "personality" is derived, originally referred to: a) An actor’s role in a play b) A person’s inner thoughts c) A person’s physical appearance d) A biological characteristic 4. Which perspective focuses on unconscious motives and early childhood experiences? a) Dispositional b) Psychodynamic c) Humanistic-Existential d) Biological-Evolutionary 5. The ability of a theory to guide practical solutions to real-world problems refers to its: a) Parsimony b) Internal consistency c) Practical utility d) Falsifiability 6. Which of the following theorists is most closely associated with the concept of self-actualization? a) Sigmund Freud b) Abraham Maslow c) B.F. Skinner d) Hans Eysenck 7. Dispositional theories emphasize which key concept? a) Environmental shaping b) Genetic mutations c) Stable traits d) Cognitive patterns 8. Which of the following is not a criterion for evaluating a useful theory? a) Generates research b) Guarantees universal truth c) Organizes data d) Is parsimonious 9. What type of research involves classification and measurement of theoretical constructs? a) Experimental research b) Descriptive research c) Longitudinal studies d) Meta-analysis 10. Biological-Evolutionary theories suggest that personality traits are influenced by: a) Sociocultural traditions b) Personal experiences only c) Genetic and neurological factors d) Free will and choice 11. Personality is entirely determined by genetic factors. 12. Theories are primarily tools to organize observations and generate testable hypotheses. 13. Psychodynamic theories are mainly concerned with conscious processes. 14. A useful theory must be falsifiable, meaning it can be tested and possibly disproven. 15. Humanistic-Existential theories emphasize the importance of personal growth and happiness.