PSY130 – Chapter 12 Personality: Development and Measurement

Question-and-Answer flashcards covering major definitions, models, researchers, genetic influences, psychoanalytic and humanistic perspectives, and applied topics from Chapter 12 on personality.

How does psychology define “personality”?

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

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

More social and sensory stimulation.

Introverts generally prefer _ levels of social and sensory stimulation.

Lower / less

What are personality “traits”?

Relatively enduring characteristics that influence behavior across many situations.

Give three examples of specific personality traits listed in Table 12.1.

Any three of: authoritarianism, individualism–collectivism, internal vs. external locus of control, need for achievement, need for cognition, regulatory focus, self-esteem, sensation seeking.

In personality testing, what does ‘reliability’ mean?

The test yields similar scores when taken again at a later time.

In personality testing, what does ‘validity’ mean?

The test actually measures the construct it claims to measure.

Who distinguished between cardinal, central, and secondary traits?

Gordon Allport.

Raymond Cattell’s trait theory separated traits into _ and _ traits.

Source and surface

Which pioneer linked personality to genetic/biological origins and emphasized introversion vs. extraversion?

Hans Eysenck.

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

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

Which Big Five trait best predicts job success across virtually all occupations?

Conscientiousness.

Name one limitation of the Big Five model mentioned in lecture.

It may not fully capture dimensions such as moral behavior; translation quality and response bias can affect results.

What additional trait is added in the HEXACO model?

Honesty–Humility.

Why do many psychologists criticize the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)?

Because it shows poor reliability and validity and treats traits as dichotomies instead of continua.

According to research, which two traits fluctuate the most across situations?

Emotional stability and extraversion.

What major personality inventory contains 338 items and 51 subscales?

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI).

Give two real-world uses of the MMPI.

Screening police officers, air-traffic controllers, airline pilots, clergy; assessments in criminal courts and child-custody disputes.

What field applies personality testing to improve employee selection and performance prediction?

Industrial-Organizational (I/O) psychology.

Define ‘leadership’ in the context of personality psychology.

The ability to direct or inspire others to achieve goals.

How do charismatic leaders differ from transactional leaders?

Charismatic leaders inspire through enthusiasm and vision, while transactional leaders focus on clarifying tasks and rewarding performance.

What is the Barnum Effect?

The tendency for people to believe vague, general personality descriptions that could apply to almost anyone.

In genetics, what is a ‘gene’?

The basic biological unit that transmits characteristics from one generation to the next.

Behavioral genetics primarily employs which three kinds of studies?

Family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies.

What is a ‘knockout study’ in molecular genetics?

A study where specific genes are removed or altered in animals (e.g., mice) to observe behavioral changes.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) attempt to do what?

Match personality traits to many genetic markers across large samples.

State the ‘maturity principle’ of personality development.

Conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability generally increase with age.

Which Big Five trait tends to decrease as people age?

Extraversion (and after age 80, openness as well).

What does Freud’s psychoanalytic theory emphasize as the key driver of behavior?

Unconscious motivations and conflicts.

Identify Freud’s three components of personality.

Id, Ego, Superego.

What is the primary purpose of defense mechanisms according to Freud?

To cope with anxiety and maintain a positive self-image unconsciously.

Which Neo-Freudian proposed that striving for superiority shapes personality?

Alfred Adler.

Carl Jung introduced the concept of the _ unconscious.

Collective

Karen Horney argued that personality is driven by the desire for _.

Security.

Name one major scientific criticism of Freudian and Neo-Freudian theories.

They lack empirical support and are difficult to test scientifically.

Humanistic psychology emphasizes which key concept opposite to Freud’s determinism?

Free will.

Define ‘self-actualization’.

The motivation to realize and develop one’s fullest potential.

According to Carl Rogers, what therapeutic climate fosters personal growth?

Unconditional positive regard—genuineness, openness, empathy, and acceptance.

How has humanistic psychology influenced modern positive psychology?

By highlighting the benefits of positive thinking, well-being, and strengths-focused interventions.

What two self-related constructs are central to humanistic theories?

Self-concept and self-esteem.