Ch.11 self, identity , and personality

Lifespan development

self-concept

The set of attributes, abilities, and characteristics that a person describes themselves with.

self-recognition

The ability to identify the self, typically measured as mirror recognition

categorical self

A self-description based on broad categories, such as sex, age, and physical characteristics, that children use to guide their behavior.

subjective age

An individual's experienced age; the age one feels

perceived control

Individuals’ expectations about the extent to which they can bring about desired outcomes; often referred to as self-efficacy.

reminiscence

The process of telling stories from one’s past, to oneself or others

life review

The reflection on past experiences and one’s life, permitting greater self-understanding and the assignment of meaning to one’s life.

What kind of self do adolescents identify as a self that they aspire to be, which is characterized by traits that they value?

ideal self

What is the self-description that includes broad categories and physical characteristics called?

categorical self

What is an older adult conducting when they are reflecting on past experiences and contemplating the meaning of those experiences and their role in shaping one’s life?

life review

What ability recognizes or identifies the self and can be assessed by the “rouge test?”

self recognition

self-esteem

The emotional evaluation of one’s own worth

social comparison

The tendency to compare and judge one’s abilities, achievements, and behaviors in relation to others

In adolescents, what is/are associated with higher self-worth and better adjustment?

high-quality relationships

What is the term for a person’s general emotional evaluation of one’s own worth?

self-esteem

As individuals progress into old age, there is an increase in adults’ reports of life satisfaction and well-being.

True

Which of the following advances in cognitive development lead children to make more complex descriptions and evaluations of themselves?

perspective taking and social comparison

identity

A coherent organized sense of self that includes values, attitudes, and goals to which one is committed

identity achievement

The identity state in which, after undergoing a period of exploration, a person commits to self-chosen values and goals

psychosocial moratorium

In Erikson’s theory, a period in which the individual is free to explore identity possibilities before committing to an identity

identity status

The degree to which individuals have explored possible selves and whether they have committed to specific beliefs and goals, assessed by administering interview and survey measures, and categorized into four identity statuses.

identity diffusion

The identity state in which an individual has not undergone exploration or committed to self-chosen values and goals.

identity foreclosed

The identity state in which an individual has not undergone exploration but has committed to values and goals chosen by an authority figure

What is the term used by researchers to classify individuals’ progress in identity development into four categories, determining the degree to which individuals have explored possible selves and whether they have committed to specific beliefs and goals?

identity status

What is the term used to describe a coherent sense of self?

identity

What is the successful culmination of the exploration of an individual’s identity called?

identity achievement

In which identity status have individuals prematurely arrived at an identity without engaging in reflection or critical examination?

identity foreclosed

In which identity status do individuals have a sense of uncertainty but little motivation to resolve it?

Identity diffusion

ethnic-racial identity

A sense of membership to a racial or ethnic group and viewing the attitudes and practices associated with that group as an enduring part of the self

A baby’s tendency to show preference for faces of the same race they are is due to intrinsic racial bias.

False

Which statement about ethnic-racial identity is true?

A strong sense of ethnic identity is associated with better socioemotional functioning.

Big 5 personality traits

Five clusters of personality traits that reflect an inherited predisposition that is stable throughout life; the five traits are openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism

Openness

The degree to which one is open to experience, ranging from curious, explorative, and creative to disinterested, uncreative, and not open to new experiences.

Conscientiousness

The tendency to be responsible, disciplined, task oriented, and planful. This trait relates to effortful self-regulation. Individuals low in this trait tend to be irresponsible, impulsive, and inattentive.

Extroversion

Includes social outgoingness, high activity, enthusiastic interest, and assertive tendencies. This trait is related to positive emotionality. On the opposite pole, descriptors include social withdrawal and constrictedness.

Agreeableness

This trait includes descriptors such as trusting, cooperative, helpful, caring behaviors and attitudes toward others. Individuals low in agreeableness are seen as difficult, unhelpful, oppositional, and stingy.

Neuroticism

This trait relates to negative emotionality. Descriptors include moodiness, fear, worry, insecurity, and irritability. The opposite pole includes traits such as self-confidence.

generativity

A concern and sense of responsibility to give back and give to future generations and society as a whole

seasons of life

A set of life phases proposed by Levinson, in which life structures are constructed, tested, and modified, based on experiences and opportunities.

life structure

In Levinson’s theory, a person’s overall organization of their life, particularly dreams, goals, and relationships with significant others as well as institutions, such as marriage, family, and vocation.

The most pronounced changes in personality traits tend to occur in early adulthood, before age 30, and in late adulthood.

True

Collectively, what are the traits of openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism known as?

Big 5 personality traits

What is the first of Erik Erikson’s psychosocial stages of personality development?

trust versus mistrust

What is the key concept in Daniel Levinson’s psychosocial theory that refers to the overall organization of a person’s life?

the life structure

Personality begins at birth, and first manifests as temperament.

True

A person who score high in conscientiousness is also likely to ______.

engage in positive health behaviors

engage in positive health behaviors

self-concept

Benito was raised in the Catholic faith by loving, authoritative Latino parents. In his first year of college he takes classes that cast doubts on many of his beliefs and meets people who were raised differently, some of whom become close friends. When he comes home for Thanksgiving, his parents notice a change in his attitude. He mentions that he is uncertain about Catholicism and explains that he is rethinking his degree as he now is passionate about art history. Although his parents are unsettled about his religious doubts, they encourage him to keep exploring who he is and wants to become. Benito is in the _____ identity status.

psychosocial moratorium

Around what age does self-esteem peak?

60

Ethnic-racial identity refers to a sense of membership to an ethnic or racial group within a specific sociohistorical context.

True

Individuals with which personality trait are more likely to divorce?

high neuroticism

Which term refers to self-evaluation that involves feelings of self-worth, self-acceptance, and self-respect?

self-esteem

Why is adolescence the best time for a psychosocial moratorium?

Adolescents have more autonomy than children but not the responsibilities of adults.

In adolescence, girls tend to show lower self-esteem than boys.

True

Compared to white parents, parents of color are more likely to socialize their children to value equality and fairness.

False

By _____, temperament evolves into personality.

early childhood

Fifteen-year-old friends Elizabeth and Maggie are discussing what they want to do after high school. Maggie is thinking about becoming an archaeologist or perhaps a Spanish teacher, but she has not completely decided. Elizabeth knows what she will be: a college professor. Her parents are both professors, and her older brother is just starting his PhD program. What identity status is Elizabeth in?

identity foreclosed

What is the earliest of Erikson’s psychosocial stages?

trust versus mistrust

Eighteen-month-old Annabelle looks in the mirror, sees that the reflection in the mirror has a mark on her nose, and touches her own nose. What can we conclude?

Annabelle is recognizing herself.

Low self-esteem is associated with depression in adolescence and adulthood.

True