PSY130 – Chapter 12: Personality – Development and Measurement

A comprehensive set of Question-and-Answer flashcards covering key concepts, theories, measures, and findings from Chapter 12 on Personality.

How is personality defined in psychology?

Personality is an individual’s consistent patterns of feeling, thinking, and behaving.

What type of social and sensory stimulation do extraverts typically prefer?

Extraverts prefer more social and sensory stimulation.

What type of social and sensory stimulation do introverts typically prefer?

Introverts prefer less social and sensory stimulation.

Along what kind of scale is Extraversion–Introversion best conceptualized?

It lies along a continuum rather than as two categorical opposites.

What are personality traits?

Relatively enduring characteristics that influence behavior across many situations.

Why are self-report personality measures required to be reliable?

Reliability means scores remain consistent when the test is taken again days, weeks, or months later.

What does validity mean in the context of a personality test?

Validity means the test measures what it is intended to measure.

Which pioneer distinguished between cardinal, central, and secondary traits?

Gordon Allport.

Which pioneer developed a 16-factor personality questionnaire based on source traits?

Raymond Cattell.

Which pioneer emphasized biological and genetic origins of personality and focused on introversion vs. extraversion?

Hans Eysenck.

Name the five dimensions of the Five-Factor Model (Big Five).

Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Emotional Stability (Neuroticism reversed).

Which Big Five trait is the single best predictor of job success across occupations?

Conscientiousness.

What additional trait does the HEXACO model add to the Big Five?

Honesty/Humility.

What is a major psychometric criticism of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)?

It shows low reliability and validity compared with modern trait measures.

Which two traits show the greatest variation across situations according to situational research?

Emotional stability and extraversion.

What is the full name of the widely used 338-item personality inventory that yields 51 subscales?

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI).

List two high-responsibility occupations that commonly use the MMPI for candidate screening.

Examples include police officers, air-traffic controllers, airline pilots, and clergy.

What is leadership in psychology?

The ability to direct or inspire others to achieve goals.

What distinguishes a charismatic leader?

Enthusiastic, committed, self-confident, emphasizes broad group goals, and may make personal sacrifices for the group.

How does a transformational leader differ from a transactional leader?

Transformational leaders articulate a vision and inspire workers, whereas transactional leaders focus on clarifying tasks and rewards to meet job requirements.

What is the Barnum (Forer) Effect in personality assessment?

People tend to believe vague, general personality descriptions that could apply to almost anyone.

Define a gene in the context of personality genetics.

A gene is the basic biological unit that transmits characteristics from one generation to the next.

What does behavioral genetics study?

The hereditary patterns of behavior and the genetic mechanisms underlying behavioral traits.

How does a twin study help researchers understand personality genetics?

By comparing similarities in personality characteristics between identical and fraternal twins.

What is a knockout study in molecular genetics?

A technique where researchers remove or modify a gene in animals to observe changes in behavior (e.g., anxiety, aggression).

What does it mean to say personality traits are polygenic?

Multiple genes contribute to each trait rather than a single gene determining it.

Which three personality traits tend to increase with age according to the maturity principle?

Conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability.

Which Big Five trait generally decreases with age?

Extraversion.

What foundational assumption underlies Freud’s psychoanalytic theory?

Much mental activity is unconscious and must be interpreted to understand behavior.

What are the three basic components of Freud’s structural model of personality?

Id, ego, and superego.

Give an example of a Freudian defense mechanism.

Examples include displacement, projection, rationalization, reaction formation, regression, repression (denial), or sublimation.

Which neo-Freudian theorist emphasized striving for superiority and the inferiority complex?

Alfred Adler.

Which neo-Freudian proposed the collective unconscious and archetypes?

Carl Jung.

Which neo-Freudian argued that personality development is driven by a desire for security rather than sexuality?

Karen Horney.

What is a major scientific limitation of classic Freudian theory?

Many concepts are unfalsifiable and lack empirical evidence.

What fundamental idea distinguishes humanistic psychology from psychoanalytic theory?

Humanistic psychology embraces free will and focuses on positive growth and self-actualization.

Define self-concept.

The set of beliefs individuals hold about who they are.

What is self-actualization according to Maslow?

The motivation to develop one’s innate potential to its fullest extent.

What therapeutic principle is Carl Rogers best known for?

Unconditional positive regard—offering genuine, empathic, nonjudgmental acceptance.

How has humanistic psychology influenced modern positive psychology?

It inspired research on optimism, well-being, life satisfaction, and the benefits of positive thinking.