Hans Eysenck

Psychometric evidence

Data must be reliable and replicable.

Heritability

Traits must fit an established genetic model.

Social relevance

Factors should have practical significance in society.

Theoretical consistency

Factors must align with established theories.

Deductive method

Starts with theory, gathers supporting data.

Superfactors

Interrelated traits forming higher-level personality dimensions.

Trait

Significant intercorrelations between habitual behaviors.

Habitual acts

Responses recurring under similar conditions.

Specific acts

Individual behaviors or thoughts, not always characteristic.

Neuroticism

Tendency to overreact emotionally and experience anxiety.

Psychoticism

Range from self-actualization to schizophrenia.

Extraversion

Characterized by sociability, impulsiveness, and liveliness.

Introversion

Characterized by quietness, thoughtfulness, and reservation.

Cortical arousal

Level of brain activity affecting sensory stimulation.

Sensory threshold

Level of stimulation needed for optimal functioning.

Diathesis-stress model

Higher neuroticism requires less stress for dysfunction.

Introverted neurotic

Characterized by anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Extraverted neurotic

Associated with criminality and delinquent behavior.

Emotional arousal

Difficulty returning to normal state post-stress.

Physical symptoms

Complaints like headaches linked to emotional distress.

Bipolar factors

Dimensions of personality with opposing traits.

Carl Jung

Recognized impact of extraversion and introversion.

High P Scores

Characteristics include egocentric, cold, and impulsive traits.

Low P Scores

Traits include altruistic, caring, and cooperative behaviors.

Psychoticism Dimension

Indicates susceptibility to psychotic reactions under stress.

Five-factor Trait Theory

Model developed by McCrae and Costa for personality.

Raymond Cattell

Pioneering psychologist influencing trait theory indirectly.

Inductive Method

Data gathering without preconceived biases on traits.

L Data

Life record derived from external observations.

Q Data

Self-reports from questionnaires describing personal traits.

T Data

Objective tests measuring performance and abilities.

Common Traits

Traits shared among individuals within a population.

Unique Traits

Traits specific to an individual, not widely shared.

Source Traits

Fundamental traits underlying observable behaviors.

Surface Traits

Observable traits that are visible in behavior.

Temperament

Refers to how a person behaves.

Motivation

Explains why an individual behaves in a certain way.

Ability Traits

Indicates how well or fast one can perform.

Psychological Health

Ranges from self-actualization to schizophrenia.

Cattell's Three Media

Included L, Q, and T data for comprehensive analysis.

High Psychoticism Characteristics

Includes traits like hostile, aggressive, and suspicious.

Low Psychoticism Characteristics

Includes traits like emphatic, conforming, and conventional.

Cattell's Influence

Shared techniques with McCrae and Costa despite differences.

Criminality and Delinquency

Associated with high psychoticism and antisocial behavior.

Cattell's Traits

35 primary traits measuring temperament and pathology.

Normal Population Traits

23 traits characterize the normal population.

Pathological Traits

12 traits measure pathological personality dimensions.

16 Personality Factors

Largest normal traits studied via Cattell's questionnaire.

NEO-Personal Inventory

Measures five personality factors by McCrae and Costa.

Big Five

Term coined by Goldberg in 1981 for personality traits.

Factor Analysis

Technique used to examine personality stability and structure.

Neuroticism

Dimension focusing on emotional instability and anxiety.

Extraversion

Dimension measuring sociability and outgoingness.

Openness to Experience

Third factor indicating creativity and curiosity.

Bipolar Traits

Personality traits exhibit a bell-shaped distribution.

Extraversion High Scores

Traits include affectionate, talkative, and fun-loving.

Extraversion Low Scores

Traits include reserved, quiet, and sober.

Neuroticism High Scores

Traits include anxious, temperamental, and self-pitying.

Neuroticism Low Scores

Traits include calm, even-tempered, and self-satisfied.

Openness High Scores

Traits include imaginative, creative, and curious.

Openness Low Scores

Traits include conventional, uncreative, and prefers routine.

Agreeableness High Scores

Traits include softhearted, trusting, and generous.

Agreeableness Low Scores

Traits include ruthless, suspicious, and critical.

Conscientiousness High Scores

Traits include hardworking, punctual, and organized.

Conscientiousness Low Scores

Traits include lazy, disorganized, and aimless.

Basic Tendencies

Universal capacities defining personality potential and direction.

Individuality in Traits

Unique trait combinations result from genetic variability.

Five dimensions of personality

Explained by genetics and nonshared environment.

Childhood personality development

Traits develop and change during childhood.

Adolescence personality development

Personality development slows during adolescence.

Early adulthood traits

High extraversion, openness, and neuroticism beneficial.

Mature personality traits

High agreeableness and conscientiousness helpful in aging.

Hierarchical trait organization

Traits range from narrow and specific to broad.

Characteristic adaptations

Personality structures adapting to environmental influences.

Influences on adaptations

Skills, habits, attitudes, and relationships shape adaptations.

Basic tendencies

Disposition influences characteristic adaptations and responses.

Fluctuation of adaptations

Characteristic adaptations can change over a lifetime.

Traits and environment adaptation

Traits influence adaptation to environmental changes.

Environment selection

Individuals seek environments matching their dispositions.

Maladjustment

Responses may conflict with personal goals or values.

Rigid adaptations

Compulsive habits can lead to maladaptive behaviors.

Extreme introversion

Can result in pathological shyness and isolation.

Plasticity postulate

Basic traits stable; adaptations can change over time.

Interventions and adaptations

Psychotherapy may alter characteristic responses, not traits.

Self-concept

Beliefs and feelings about oneself influence behavior.

Accurate self-views

Conscious self-views may have some distortion.

Psychodynamic view

Most self-thoughts are distorted; true self is unconscious.

Personal myths

McCrae and Costa include these in self-concept.

Biological bases

Includes genes, hormones, and brain structures.

Objective biography

Life events and experiences shape personality.

External influences

Behavior results from adaptations and environmental interactions.

Behavior function

Behavior is a function of adaptations and influences.