Topic 1: Understanding the Self and Personality

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key definitions, determinants, traits, and dimensions of self-understanding and personality.

Self-Understanding

The ability to know and understand one's thoughts, feelings, behaviors, beliefs, strengths, and weaknesses.

Personality

The stable traits and behavior patterns that make a person unique.

Personality (Roberts & Mroczek, 2008)

According to Roberts and Mroczek (2008), personality consists of enduring traits that provide consistency and individuality.

Persona

A theatrical mask; one of the root words for personality.

Per

A root word in the origin of personality meaning "through".

Sonare

A root word in the origin of personality meaning "to sound".

Literal Meaning of Personality

"To sound through," derived from the roots persona, per, and sonare.

Environmental Factors

Determinants of personality including family, friends, school, community, and workplace that shape behavior and social development.

Biological Factors

Determinants of personality such as heredity (genes), physical features (height, weight, appearance, body language), and the brain that contribute to personality formation.

Situational Factors

Determinants of personality where behavior changes depending on the situation (e.g., quiet in class, loud with friends).

Cultural Factors

Determinants of personality where culture shapes values, beliefs, customs, and behaviors (e.g., Filipino values of respect, hospitality, and family orientation).

Personality Traits

Consistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are relatively stable, consistent over time, and observable across situations.

OCEAN

An acronym for the Big Five Personality Traits: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

Openness

A Big Five personality trait characterized high by being curious, creative, and imaginative, and low by being traditional, practical, and preferring routine.

Conscientiousness

A Big Five personality trait characterized high by being responsible, organized, and disciplined, and low by being careless and disorganized.

Extraversion

A Big Five personality trait characterized high by being sociable, energetic, and talkative, and low (introverted) by being quiet and reserved.

Agreeableness

A Big Five personality trait characterized high by being helpful, kind, and cooperative, and low by being critical and competitive.

Neuroticism

A Big Five personality trait characterized high by being anxious and easily stressed, and low by being calm and emotionally stable.

Self-Concept

The perception and beliefs a person has about themselves (e.g., "I am hardworking", "I am intelligent").

Individual Self

A type of self defined by personal characteristics (e.g., creative, responsible, athletic).

Relational Self

A type of self defined through relationships (e.g., friend, brother/sister, son/daughter).

Collective Self

A type of self defined by group membership (e.g., Filipino, student, church member).