Personality & Individual Differences

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and theories from the lecture on personality and individual differences, designed to aid in exam preparation.

Implicit Personality Theory

Intuitively based theories of human behavior that help us understand ourselves and others.

Personality

Derives from the Latin word ‘persona’ meaning ‘mask’.

Lay definitions of personality

Involve value judgments concerning the social attractiveness of individuals.

Psychological definition of personality

Defined in terms of characteristics typical of the individual.

Gordon Allport's definition of personality

A dynamic organization, inside the person's characteristic patterns of behavior, thoughts and feelings.

Dynamic organizations

Refer to a process that continually adjusts and adapts to experiences and changes.

Psychophysical system

Involves both our minds and bodies in our personality.

Stable characteristics patterns

Suggest that relatively stable traits become typical of an individual.

Behavior, thoughts, feelings

Central components influencing and observable in a wide range of human experiences.

Personality as a psychological construct

A mental concept influencing behavior via mind-body interaction.

Idiographic approach to personality

Focuses on the individual and unique personality variables within that person.

Nomothetic approach to personality

Assumes a finite set of variables to classify human personality.

Idiographic assumptions

Individuals are unique and cannot be described using the same concepts.

Nomothetic aims

To identify consistent personality variables across groups.

Dispositional view of personality

Focuses on consistent, unchanging dispositions regardless of context.

Situational view of personality

Focuses on behavior determined by situational factors.

Trait

An internal psychological disposition that remains largely unchanged throughout life.

Personality traits

An individual's characteristic pattern of thought, emotion, and behavior.

Hippocrates

Ancient Greek figure credited with proposing the first theory of personality.

Temperament Theory

Describes biological differences that determine individual behavioral differences.

Four types of temperament

Sanguine, Choleric, Phlegmatic, Melancholic.

Sanguine temperament

Associated with high blood levels; enthusiastic and positive.

Choleric temperament

Caused by high yellow bile; aggressive and tense.

Phlegmatic temperament

Attributed to mucus of the lungs; dull and lazy.

Melancholic temperament

Malfunction of black bile; sad and reflective.

Phrenology

Study of skull shape related to character and mental capacities.

Hans Eysenck

Developed a biological-based personality theory assessing temperament dimensions.

Gigantic Three dimensions

Includes Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Psychoticism.

Eysenck's Extraversion traits

Sociable, lively, active, assertive.

Eysenck's Neuroticism traits

Anxious, depressed, low self-esteem, moody.

Eysenck's Psychoticism traits

Aggressive, impersonal, unempathetic.

Somatotype theory

Associates physical types with psychological dispositions.

Carl Jung

Outlined types of personality based on individuation and psychological functions.

Extraversion-Introversion continuum

Personality traits viewed as a spectrum.

Judging vs. Perceiving

Describes attitudes toward the external world.

The Big Five personality model

Includes factors: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, and Openness.

Extraversion (Big Five)

Active individuals who experience positive emotions.

Neuroticism (Big Five)

Tendency to experience negative emotions.

Openness (Big Five)

Engagement in intellectual activities and new experiences.

Agreeableness (Big Five)

Characterized by friendliness and consideration.

Conscientiousness (Big Five)

Linked to responsibility and self-discipline.

Cattell’s 16PF

Based on the lexical hypothesis to describe personality.

The Lexical Hypothesis

Major dimensions of personality derived from language descriptors.

Behavioral Activation System (BAS)

Motivates individuals to seek rewards.

Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS)

Motivates individuals to avoid punishments.

Eysenck's biological model

Links biological mechanisms with personality traits and arousal.

Reticulo-Cortical circuit

Controls cortical arousal perceived from incoming stimuli.

Reticulo-Limbic circuit

Controls emotional stimuli responses.

Arousal

The process of stimulation management in the brain.

Ambivert

Individuals who exhibit both extroverted and introverted traits.

Type A personality

Proactive, achievement-oriented, and often impatient.

Type B personality

Relaxed, calm, and easygoing.

Block's personality types

Classification of well-adjusted and maladjusted individuals.

Well-adjusted individuals

Adaptable, flexible, and socially successful.

Overcontrolled type

Maladjusted, uptight, and hard to deal with.

Undercontrolled type

Impulsive with risky or delinquent behavior.

Unique understanding of personality

Derived from idiographic research methodologies.

General principles in personality

Found via nomothetic quantitative methods.