PSYC 305 READINGS

Predictive power of personality traits

The ability of personality traits to forecast life outcomes such as mortality, divorce, and occupational attainment.

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

An individual's social and economic position, often used as a benchmark for assessing life outcomes in studies.

Cognitive ability

Mental capacities associated with reasoning, problem-solving, and planning, often linked to life success.

Personality Renaissance

The revival of interest in personality psychology that began in the 1980s.

Personality Coefficient

A term coined by Walter Mischel indicating the upper limit of correlation (0.30) between personality traits and behaviors.

Mortality as a focus area

Studying the relationship between personality traits and life expectancy or health outcomes.

Divorce as a focus area

Investigating the role of personality traits in determining marital stability and the likelihood of divorce.

Occupational attainment as a focus area

Assessing how personality affects job performance, career advancement, and overall life success.

Behavioral mechanisms of personality

Ways in which personality traits influence behaviors that impact health and relationships.

Statistical challenges in personality studies

Difficulties arising from comparing effect sizes of various methods like odds ratios and correlation coefficients.

Conscientiousness

A Big Five personality trait associated with organization, diligence, and dependability.

Neuroticism

A Big Five personality trait reflecting emotional instability and susceptibility to stress.

Agreeableness

A Big Five personality trait characterized by empathy, cooperation, and trust in others.

Openness to experience

A Big Five trait involving intellectual curiosity and willingness to engage with new experiences.

Extraversion

A Big Five trait marked by sociability, assertiveness, and high energy levels.

Longitudinal studies

Research that follows subjects over a long period to observe changes in traits or behaviors.

Effect size

A quantitative measure of the magnitude of a phenomenon, often used in personality research.

Personality traits and health outcomes

The influence of personality characteristics on health behaviors and overall health.

Influence of personality on relationships

The way personality traits shape interpersonal dynamics and marital stability.

Cumulative effects of personality traits

The concept that small effects of personality traits can accumulate over time to lead to significant life outcomes.

Interventions for personality change

Therapeutic or social programs aimed at altering elements of an individual's personality.

Mindfulness training

A therapeutic approach that promotes mental well-being and can enhance traits like conscientiousness.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

A type of therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Statistical comparisons in personality research

Analyzing personality traits using standardized metrics to evaluate their effects across studies.

Developmental origins of personality traits

Factors like genetics and early life experiences that shape individual personality over time.

Cultural influences on personality

How cultural factors impact the expression and interpretation of personality traits.

Genetic contribution to personality traits

Assessed through twin studies which show the heritability of various personality attributes.

Personality and occupational success

The relationship between personality traits and outcomes such as job performance and career advancement.

Personality and economic success

How personality traits can predict an individual's financial and career achievements.

Flexibility of personality traits

The concept that personality traits are not fixed and can change over time with intervention.

Clinical implications of personality changes

The relevance of altering personality traits in therapeutic settings to improve patient outcomes.

Causal inferences in personality research

Determining whether personality traits directly influence life outcomes or are simply correlated.

Lasting personality changes

The durability of personality traits following interventions, indicating whether changes are temporary or enduring.

Observable effects of personality interventions

Changes in personality traits that can be measured following therapeutic or developmental programs.

Trait stability across lifespan

The phenomenon where certain personality traits remain consistent over time, even as mean levels may shift.

Big Five personality traits

A widely recognized model comprising five core traits: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness.

Gender differences in personality

Variations in personality trait scores observed between male and female populations.

Cultural universality of the Big Five

The notion that the Big Five personality traits are applicable and observed across different cultures.

Nuances in personality traits

More detailed or specific aspects of personality that exist beneath broader trait categories.

State vs. trait differentiation

The distinction between temporary emotional states and stable personality traits.

Meta-analysis of personality interventions

A comprehensive review combining results from multiple studies to assess personality changes from interventions.

Limitations of personality research

Possible shortcomings of studies, including biases in self-reporting and population selection.

Psychiatric diagnostics and personality traits

How traits from the Big Five model inform the classification and treatment of personality disorders.

Role of environment in personality development

The impact of environmental factors and contexts on the formation and evolution of personality traits.

Self-report inventories in personality assessment

Surveys where individuals evaluate their own personality traits, often leading to potential biases.