20 Personality Assessment

What does personality assessment describe?

Traits or characteristics unique to a person, in addition to typical behaviors.

Why is construct validity most important for measures of personality?

Because no single criterion can fully define personality; it requires an accumulation of data.

What are some techniques for assessing personality?

Casual observation, clinical observation, structured interviews, unstructured interviews, rating scales, checklists, self-report inventories, and projective techniques.

What is phrenology?

An outdated approach that claims personality traits can be determined by the shape of the skull.

What is graphology?

The analysis of handwriting to determine personality traits, though it lacks reliability and validity.

What does psychoanalytic theory emphasize?

The role of the unconscious and the development of the id, ego, and superego.

What is the focus of phenomenological theories? (e.g., Carl rogers self theory)

The importance of self and individual perceptions and experiences.

What do type theories do?

Sort individuals into distinct categories or types.

What are some examples of type theories?

Sheldon's somatotypes and Jung's psychological types.

What is the Barnum Effect?

The tendency for individuals to accept vague personality descriptions as uniquely applicable to themselves.

What are the three somatotypes identified by Sheldon?

Ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph.

Describe the characteristics of an ectomorph.

Self-conscious, introverted, socially anxious, and artistically inclined.

Describe the characteristics of a mesomorph.

Adventurous, courageous, assertive, and competitive.

Describe the characteristics of an endomorph.

Sociable, tolerant, good-humored, and relaxed.

What is the significance of self-acceptance in personality change?

People are more likely to change when they accept themselves.

What is the purpose of projective techniques in personality assessment? such as the inkblot test

To uncover “unconscious” aspects of personality.

What is the difference between structured and unstructured interviews?

follow a set format;are more flexible and conversational.

What is the MMPI-2?

A self-report inventory used to assess personality traits and psychopathology.

5 Factor Model is considered useful for ____

Describing both normal personality and personality-related disorders

What mnemonic is used to remember the Five Factors of Personality?

OCEAN or CANOE. =

Neuroticism

Extraversion

Openness (to experience)

Agreeableness

Conscientiousness

What is Neuroticism in the context of personality traits?

It refers to emotional instability, where high levels indicate being more vulnerable to stress.

What does Extraversion measure in personality?

It measures sociability and energy derived from social interactions.

How do high levels of Extraversion manifest in behavior?

Individuals are more assertive, excitement-seeking, and experience positive emotions.

What is Openness to Experience in personality traits?

It reflects curiosity and creativity, with high levels indicating a preference for new experiences.

What does Agreeableness measure in personality?

It measures cooperativeness and social harmony, with high levels indicating helpfulness.

What is Conscientiousness in the context of personality traits?

It measures organization and ambition, with high levels indicating reliability and rule-abiding behavior.

How does age affect personality traits according to the Five-Factor Model?

Older individuals tend to score higher on Conscientiousness and Agreeableness, and lower on Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness.

What are Idiographic approaches to personality assessment?

They treat individuals as unique systems deserving of study, often using qualitative methods.

What are Nomothetic approaches to personality assessment?

They seek general laws of behavior and personality, often using quantitative methods.

What is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator?

A theory-guided instrument that assesses personality based on Jungian psychology.

What are factor-analytically derived inventories?

They measure personality traits identified through factor analysis, such as the 16 PF by Cattell.

What are criterion-keyed inventories?

They select items based on their ability to discriminate between well-defined criterion groups.

What should be the approach to personality assessment?

Never rely on the results of just one instrument; findings should be supported by multiple measures.

What is the NEO-PI?

A test developed specifically to assess the Five Factors of Personality.

What is the significance of heritability in the Five-Factor Model?

Each of the five factors shows significant evidence of heritability.

What is the main focus of social learning theories in personality?

They view behavior as learned and situation-specific, emphasizing the role of experience and environment.

What is the relationship between personality traits and workplace success?

Higher levels of Conscientiousness and Agreeableness are associated with greater workplace success.

Is type A or type B behavior at higher risk for coronary heart disease

Type A

What do trait theories suggest?

People have a set of traits that cause them to be similar across situations

Who tends to be higher on _____

High= less emotionally stable, less risk-taking, and more vulnerable to stress.

Low= more emotionally stable and calm

Neuroticism; women

Who tends to be higher on _______

High= more positive emotions and assertive.

Low= quiet, shy and more likley to stay on task

Extraversion; mix - women are higher on certain ones like warmth vs men are more assertive and excitement seeking

Who tends to be higher on ______ - High= more creative, curious and aware of feelings

Low= more predictable, are consistent, like routine

Openness; mix - women are higher on openess to art and aesthetic and men are higher to openess on ideas

Who tends to be higher on ______

High= more cooperative and humble, more likely to be successful in school and the workplace

Low= less organized, more spontaneous, competitive and assertive

Agreeableness; women are higher

Personality tests are less reliable so they are less ___

Valid