Psychology of Personality Powerpoint

Personality Traits

Characteristics or qualities that define how an individual typically thinks, feels, and behaves, often influenced by genetic and environmental factors.

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate regarding the relative contributions of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) to human development.

Extraversion

A personality dimension characterized by sociability, talkativeness, and assertiveness.

Introversion

A personality dimension characterized by a preference for solitude and a focus on inner thoughts and feelings.

Neuroticism

A personality dimension associated with emotional instability, anxiety, moodiness, and irritability.

Genetics

The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

Epigenetics

The study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.

Temperament

The innate traits that influence how one thinks, behaves, and reacts with the environment.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins that develop from a single fertilized ovum; they share 100% of their genetic information.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins that develop from two separate fertilized ova; they share approximately 50% of their genetic information.

Circadian Rhythm

The physiological processes that cycle regularly roughly every 24 hours, influencing sleep, alertness, and hormone release.

Sociosexuality

The willingness to engage in sexual activity outside of a committed relationship, which is influenced by personality and gender.

Hormonal Influences

The effects of hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen, on behavior, emotional responses and personality traits.

Goodness of Fit Model

A concept in psychology that describes how well a child's temperament aligns with the demands and expectations of their environment.

Heritability

The proportion of observed variation in a particular trait or attribute in a population that is due to genetic factors.

Personality Dimensions

The broad categories that encompass a range of traits; Eysenck identified three: extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism.

Cerebral Asymmetry

The difference in the activity level between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which is linked to emotional responses.

Impulsivity

The tendency to act quickly without careful thought or consideration of the consequences.

What is Personality?

A person’s usual pattern of behavior, feelings, and thoughts, including both shared tendencies and individual differences.

What factors shape Personality?

Personality is complex and shaped by genetics, parenting, and relationships with peers.

What are the four foundational roots of personality psychology?

Assessment and measurement, trait models, psychodynamics, and self processes.

Psychoanalytic Approach to Personality

Focuses on how the unconscious mind is responsible for important differences in behavior styles.

Biological Approach to Personality

Emphasizes inherited predispositions and physiological processes as contributors to personality differences.

Humanistic Approach to Personality

Highlights personal responsibility and feelings of self-acceptance as key to personality differences.

Behavioral/Social Learning Approach

Suggests that consistent behavior patterns result from conditioning and expectations.

Cognitive Approach to Personality

Focuses on how people process information to explain differences in behavior.

How is Personality Psychology a hub field?

It is central to various subareas within psychology such as developmental, neuroscience, clinical, organizational, and social psychology.

Contributions of Situations to Personality

Situations include other people and the environment, affecting how personality traits predict behavior.

Person-Situation Interaction

Both the individual's personality and the situation together contribute to behavior.

Examples of Personality Influencing Situations

Personality influences how individuals choose, change, and respond within various situations.

Two well-known personality traits

Extraversion: being outgoing and assertive; Introversion: being shy and reserved.

What is the Person-Situation Debate?

The debate over whether stable personality traits or situational factors are more important in predicting behavior.

Hypothesis

A formal prediction about the relationship between two or more variables logically derived from a theory.

Theory

A general statement about the relationship between constructs or events that explains a phenomenon in simple terms and generates testable hypotheses.

Empirical Investigation

Research that relies on observation and experimentation to validate or refute hypotheses.

Null Correlation

A situation where two variables are not related, indicated by a correlation of 0.

Statistical Significance

When the difference between two averages is large enough to conclude that it is not due to chance.

Correlation Coefficient (r)

A statistical measure that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between two measures, ranging from -1.00 to +1.00.

Mean

The average score calculated by adding all scores and dividing by the number of scores.

Standard Deviation (SD)

A measure that indicates how far a score is from the average; in a normal distribution, two-thirds of people score within one SD of the average.

Reliability

The extent to which a test measures consistently, often assessed through test-retest reliability and internal consistency.

Validity

The degree to which a test measures what it is designed to measure, ranging from not valid to highly valid.

Self-Report Questionnaire

A method where individuals report on their own personalities, often subject to biases such as socially desirable responding.

Case Study Method

An in-depth evaluation of individuals, often used to gather detailed information about a person’s history and behavior.

Experimental Studies

Research where participants are randomly assigned to groups, allowing researchers to manipulate variables and measure outcomes.

Confounding Variable

An outside variable that could influence the relationship between the variables being studied, complicating causality.

Triangulation

Using different research methods to answer the same question, helping to ensure validity and reliability of findings.

Trait Approach

Categorizes people according to the degree to which they manifest particular characteristics.

Assumptions of the Trait Approach

Personality characteristics are relatively stable over time and across situations.

Trait Continuum

Identifies personality characteristics that can be represented along a continuum.

Gordon Allport

One of the original trait theorists, acknowledged limitations of trait concepts.

Central Traits

5 to 10 traits that best describe an individual’s personality according to Allport.

Cardinal Trait

A single dominating trait in personality.

Raymond Cattell

Identified 16 basic traits and created the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire.

Source Traits

Basic traits that make up the human personality, according to Cattell.

Factor Analysis

A technique used to determine the structure of human personality by analyzing patterns of correlation.

Lexical Hypothesis

The idea that important traits become embedded in our language.

Big Five Personality Traits

Includes Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion.

Extraversion

A personality trait characterized by sociability and a tendency to seek stimulation.

Introversion

The opposite of extraversion, marked by preference for solitude and quiet.

Agreeableness

A trait associated with being helpful, trusting, and sympathetic.

Disagreeableness

The opposite of agreeableness, related to skepticism and cynicism.

Conscientiousness

A measure of organization, planning, and dependability.

Neuroticism

The tendency to experience negative emotions such as anxiety and depression.

Openness to Experience

Involves imagination, creativity, and a willingness to engage with new ideas.

Emotional Stability

The opposite of neuroticism, associated with calmness and resilience.

Behavioral Prediction

Trait approaches struggle to predict behavior due to the influence of personality and situational contexts.

Criticism of Trait Approach

Limited explanation of how traits develop and how to address extreme traits.

Strengths of Trait Approach

Usage of objective measures, practical applications, and a significant amount of research.

Ongoing Questions about the Big Five

Debate on the meaning and structure of the five personality factors and their applicability across cultures.