Personality Ch.1: Intro to Personality Theory & Research

Structure

the more enduring and stable aspects of personality

Units of Analysis

A concept that refers to the basic variables of a theory; different personality theories invoke different types of variables, or different basic units of analysis, in conceptualizing personality structure.

Trait

Generally refers to a consistent style of emotion or behavior that a person displays across various situations.

Type

A cluster of personality traits

Personality Process

• The motivational aspects of personality

• Psychological activity (involving thoughts, feelings, or actions) that may change relatively over a brief period of time

3 Ways Parents Influence Their Children’s Behavior

• The parents’ own behavior

• Role models for identification

• Parents selectively reward behaviors

Dispostion

Describes what a person tends to do

Consistency

Patterns that persist across time & sit

Research Methods for Personality

1. Case study

2. Correlational

3. Experimental

Environmental Factors influencing Personality

1. Culture

2. Social class & economic welfare

3. Family

4. Peers

The 6 Perspectives of Personality

1. Psychodynamic

2. Trait

3. Biological

4. Behaviorist/Social Cognitive

5. Humantics & Existential

6. Culture & Self