Psychology Themes & Variations SA 4e Chapter 11: Personality PDF

Psychology Themes & Variations SA 4e Chapter 11: Personality 1  Icebreaker: Pair-Share Move into groups or two or three and discuss the following questions: 1. Where do you think your personality comes from? 2. Does being in different situatio...

Psychology Themes & Variations SA 4e Chapter 11: Personality 1  Icebreaker: Pair-Share Move into groups or two or three and discuss the following questions: 1. Where do you think your personality comes from? 2. Does being in different situations influence your personality? 3. Do you think personality is learned or it can be inherited? Why? 4. Think of a person you know well. How would you describe their personality? 2  Learning Outcomes Provide a comprehensive definition of personality Explain the five-factor model of Personality Traits Discuss the psychodynamic perspective in understanding personality Discuss the behavioural perspectives in understanding personality Discuss humanistic perspectives in understanding personality Discuss biological perspectives in understanding personality 3  Defining personality: Consistency and distinctiveness An individual’s unique set of consistent behavioural traits Explains the stability in a person’s behaviour over time and across situations (consistency) Explains behavioural differences among people reacting to the same situation (distinctiveness) 4  Personality traits: Disposition and dimensions Personality trait: A durable disposition to behave in a particular way in a variety of situations. Factor analysis: Statistical analysis of correlations among many variables to identify closely related clusters of variables Most approaches to personality assume that some traits are more basic than others 5  The five-factor model of personality traits Most widely accepted theory of personality Conscientiousness – impulsive, disorganized vs. disciplined, careful Agreeableness – suspicious, uncooperative vs. trusting, helpful Neuroticism – calm, confident vs. anxious, pessimistic Openness to Experience – prefers routine, practical vs. imaginative, spontaneous Extraversion – reserved, thoughtful vs. sociable, fun-loving 6  The five-factor model of personality traits Influenced significantly by genes and the environment, with an estimated heritability of 50%. Also predict certain important life outcomes such as education and health These are dimensions not categories Asserts that traits are on a spectrum People will find themselves @ different places along the continuum at different times Factors are stable across a 45 year period starting in young adulthood 7 The five-factor model of personality traits 8  Conscientiousness Able to regulate impulse control Engage in goal-directed behaviours Looks at elements such as control, inhibition, and persistence of behaviour Someone who is always planning ahead for the next time you meet - and in the meantime, regularly staying in contact, checking in on your wellbeing Like to organise around certain dates and events and are focused on you when you meet Often scientist or in the financial field 9 Conscientiousness 10  Openness Willingness to try new things Engage in imaginative and intellectual activities Includes the ability to “think outside of the box” Example - person who’s always ordering the most exotic thing on the menu, going to different places and having interests which you would never have thought of… that is someone who has a high openness trait 11 Openness 12  Extraversion Tendency and intensity to which someone seeks social interaction with their environment Encompasses the comfort and assertiveness levels of people in social situations Reflects the sources from which someone draws energy Thrive on being the centre of attention, enjoy meeting new people and somehow tend to have the biggest friends and acquaintance group you have known Often sales, marketing, politics 13 Extraversion 14  Agreeableness How people tend to treat relationships with others Focus is on the people’s orientation and interactions with others Display trust, altruism, kindness, and affection Highly agreeable people tend to have high prosocial behaviours which means that they’re more inclined to be helping other people Often charity workers, mental health 15 Agreeableness 16  Neuroticism Overall emotional stability of an individual through how they perceive the world How likely a person is to interpret events as threatening or difficult High levels - tend to experience mood swings, anxiety and irritability People who have sudden changes in character from a day-to-day perspective could be highly neurotic and respond to high stress levels in their work and personal lives Includes one’s propensity to experience negative emotions 17 Neuroticism 18  Some trivia Women score higher on Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism than men Both genders tend to score lower on agreeableness and extraversion as time moves on Conscientiousness, or self-discipline, is one of the most important factors in a leader, particularly under stressful situations when responsibility and reliability is pertinent Agreeableness – people who are strong on this trait might not be good in leadership roles – Why? Several Big Five traits show reliable correlations in personal tendencies and life outcomes: o Grades (higher conscientiousness) o Creative achievement in the arts (higher openness) 19 Discussion activity 1: Pair-Share VC Learn activity https://www.123test.com/personality-test/ 20 Big Five Personality types 21 Other types of personality tests 22