Ch 5:Traits and Types

Single Trait Approach

examines behaviors associated with one particular trait

Many-Trait Approach

looks for traits associated with a particular behavior or outcome of interest

Essential-Trait Approach

Identifies which traits are most important; addresses the difficult question “which traits are the most important?”; reducing the many traits to few

Typological Approach

focuses on the patterns of traits that characterize a person

the single trait approach: self monitoring

an ability to regulare behavior to accommodate social situations

What approach is self monitoring?

single-trait approach

single-trait approach: Narcissism

“need for admiration and lack of empathy” which may be a personality disorder

• makes good first impressions, but is disliked in the long run

• manipulative, overbearing, entitled, vain, arrogant

• will aggressively defend themselves if feeling threatened

• may not like themselves; those with the strongest sense of superiority and need for admiration are the same ones who are most anxious underneath

What approach is Narcissism?

single-trait approach

California Q-set

raters (acquaintance or researcher) express judgments of personalist by sorting the items into 9 categories ranging from highly uncharacteristic of the person being described (category 1) to highly characteristic (category 9)

What approach is used for the California Q-set

the many-trait approach

used for looking at how people “talk”

many-trait approach

many trait approach: authoritarianism / authoritarians

• uncooperative and inflexible when playing experimental games

• obeys an authority figure’s commands to harm another person

• experience fewer emotions / afraid

• likely to oppose equal rights for transgender individuals

Personality Traits

characterize what any person may do in any situation on average; they do not determine what everyone does in every situation

• example: an introverted person may act extraverted at times and vice versa

what are the 4 ways to study personality

• single trait approach: examines behaviors associated with a particular trait

• many trait approach : looks for traits associated with a particular behavior

• essential trait approach : identified which traits are most important

• typological approach : focuses on the patterns of traits that characterize a person

many-trait approach: California Q-set

raters express judgments of personality by sorting the items into 9 categories ranging for singly uncharacteristic of the person being described (category 1) to highly characteristics (category 9)

high-self monitors may be described as:

• adaptive, flexible, popular, sensitive, and able to fit in wherever they go

• wishy washy, two faced, lacked integrity, and slick

low self-monitors may be described as :

• self directed, having integrity, and being consistent and honest.

• insensitive, inflexible, and stubborn

many-trait approach: talking

tone, pace, and choice of words—can reveal multiple underlying personality traits, like openness, extraversion, and emotional stability.

certainty words: absolutely, exactly, truly

people who use a large number of certainty words are described as

• intelligent, verbally fluent, kind of person who is turned to for advice

• ambitious and generous

What are the two key concepts introduced by Jack Block and Jeanne Block in 1980?

Ego-control and Ego-resiliency.

ego-resiliency relation to ego-control

to the degree of ego-control, reflecting an individual's ability to adapt and manage stress based on their impulse control.

ego-control

• psychological adjustment

• refers to the regulation of impulses;

• overcontrolled individuals inhibit their impulses, while undercontrolled individuals are more likely to act on them

over controlled people

those high in ego-control dimension; can walk away

under controlled people

those low in ego-control are more prone to act on them immediately

ego resilience

can adjust their level of control from high to low & back again

example - ego resilient student might study hard all week (being temporarily over controlled) and then cut loose on the weekends (temporarily under controlled)

under controlled

can get you in trouble but resilience gets you out

essential trait approach: factor analytic approach

involves correlating every measured variable with every other variable to reduce the overall number of traits considered to be important

resulting in a correlation matrix & helps identify patterns of relationships among the variables

correlating matrix

a table that displays the correlation coefficients between pairs of variables in a dataset

correlation coefficient

indicate the strength and direction of the relationship between 2 variables ranging from -1 to +1

Who proposed a model with 16 essential traits, and what are a few examples?

Raymond Cattell proposed 16 essential traits, including friendliness, intelligence, stability, sensitivity, and dominance.

What are the three key traits identified by Hans Eysenck?

Extroversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism.

What three traits did Auke Tellegen focus on in his model?

Positive emotionality, negative emotionality, and constraint.

the Big Five personality traits

Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN).

How are the Big Five traits characterized?

They are distinct dimensions that are related to each other, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding personality.

the higher-order factors associated with the Big Five traits

Stability (conscientiousness, agreeableness, low neuroticism) and plasticity (openness and extroversion).

How do plasticity and stability relate to ego resilience and ego control?

is similar to ego resilience, while stability resembles ego control

Can each Big Five trait be further broken down?

Yes, each Big Five trait can be divided into facets and aspects for a more detailed analysis.

What does Openness to Experience encompass?

includes intellectual curiosity, creativity, and a strong interest in cultural matters.

What are some characteristics of individuals high in Big five: Openness?

They show creativity, perceptiveness, and a valuing of cultural and intellectual matters.

What interests are linked to the Big Five:Openness trait?

Appreciation for nature, substance use, playing musical instruments, political stance, and open-mindedness.

Can individuals score high in Openness regardless of background?

Yes, people can score high on this trait regardless of their education, culture, or IQ.

Conscientiousness in the Big Five traits

refers to a tendency to be dutiful, careful, rule-abiding, and ambitious.

How does the Big Five trait of Conscientiousness manifest in behavior?

Individuals high in Conscientiousness are valuable employees, careful drivers, and tend to avoid risks.

What healthy lifestyle choices are associated with the Big Five trait of Conscientiousness?

People high in Conscientiousness are less likely to smoke, overeat, misuse alcohol, engage in risky sex, or abuse drugs.

long-term benefits linked to the Big Five trait of (high) Conscientiousness

associated with cognitive health and longevity.

What is a common emotional challenge for those high in the Big Five trait of Conscientiousness?

They may experience guilt when they do not meet their own expectations.

What is Eysenck’s theory of extroversion in the Essential-Trait Approach

proposed that introverts react more strongly and often more negatively to sensory stimuli like bright lights, loud noises, and strong tastes compared to extraverts.

How do extraverts differ in their response to stimulation according to Eysenck?

they crave extreme levels of stimulation, which may lead them to engage in riskier behaviors, including a potential life of crime.

What are some characteristics of the Big Five trait of Extroversion?

they are active, outspoken, dominant, forceful, adventurous, spunky, and cheerful.

How does Extroversion influence behavior?

It has a powerful influence on behavior, leading extroverts to walk quickly, make moral judgments, and often be popular and physically attractive.

tendencies associated with individuals high in Extroversion

They are sensitive to rewards and tend to spend more money on food, travel, and positive experiences.

How do extroverted behaviors impact people, including introverts?

Extroverted behaviors feel good even for introverts, promoting positive experiences.

disadvantages of high Extroversion

argumentative and have a strong need to be in control.

Big Five trait of Agreeableness

involves a tendency toward conformity, friendly compliance, likeability, warmth, forgiveness, and compassion.

How does Agreeableness differ between genders?

More women than men tend to score high in Agreeableness.

What are common characteristics of individuals high in Agreeableness?

They often have a positive view of others, engage in religious activities, possess a good sense of humor, and are psychologically well-adjusted.

How does high Agreeableness affect children's vulnerability?

Children with high Agreeableness are less vulnerable to being bullied or abused.

What does the Big Five trait of Neuroticism refer to?

Neuroticism is characterized by a tendency to experience negative emotions, including depression and anxiety.

Neuroticism affect on problem-solving

Individuals high in Neuroticism often exhibit ineffective problem-solving and strong negative reactions to stress.

associated with high Neuroticism

a general tendency toward psychopathology and increased vulnerability to emotional distress.

What behaviors and sensitivities are common among those high in Neuroticism?

They may be sensitive to others' opinions, complain frequently, take things too seriously, struggle with criticism, and feel oppressed by life

What undesirable life outcomes are linked to high Neuroticism?

High Neuroticism is associated with poor social relationships, low mood, job dissatisfaction, and cognitive decline

the focus of typological approaches to personality

emphasize qualitative differences in personality rather than just quantitative traits.

typological approaches difference from dimensional approaches

They view traits categorically instead of dimensionally, suggesting distinct personality types rather than varying degrees of the same traits.

Why might it be beneficial to categorize personalities into types?

Important differences between people may be qualitative,

• making it useful to classify personalities into distinct types instead of considering everyone as having the same traits in different amounts

What were the findings regarding personality types in the Typological Approach?

Three replicable types were identified across seven studies with diverse participants:

• well-adjusted, maladjusted overcontrolling, and maladjusted undercontrolling.

What are the characteristics of the well-adjusted type?

Well-adjusted individuals are adaptable, flexible, resourceful, and successful in interpersonal relationships.

How is the maladjusted overcontrolling type described?

This type is characterized as too uptight, denying themselves pleasure needlessly, and facing difficulties in interpersonal interactions.

What traits define the maladjusted undercontrolling type?

Individuals in this category are too impulsive and prone to risky behaviors, such as crime and unsafe sex

What limitation do these personality types have in predicting behavior?

The types do not predict behavior or life outcomes beyond what can be predicted by the traits that define the typology.

the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

is a popular personality assessment taken by millions each year in various settings, including workplaces, schools, and counseling centers.

MBTI assessment of personality

consists of choices between two options, measuring four opposing tendencies:

• Extroversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)

• Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)

• Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)

• Judgment (J) vs. Perception (P)

Why is the MBTI widely used?

Its popularity stems from its application in understanding personality types for better interpersonal interactions, team dynamics, and personal development.

major criticism of the MBTI

forces individuals into binary categories, which may oversimplify the complexity of personality.

How reliable is the MBTI?

The MBTI is criticized for its lack of reliability; individuals may receive different scores when taking the test multiple times.

What is a limitation of the MBTI in terms of practical application?

The MBTI is not useful for selection or predicting life outcomes, as there is no evidence that different types excel in specific careers.

lacking evidence in support of the MBTI

no proof different personality types follow, persist in, or succeed in different lines of work

What is one use of personality types in the Typological Approach?

Personality types serve as summaries of how individuals stand on a large number of traits.

How are personality types useful in marketing?

They help tailor marketing strategies by understanding different personality profiles.

What is a limitation of using personality types for prediction?

Personality types do not significantly enhance predictions compared to conventional trait measurements.

Beyond prediction, what is another benefit of understanding personality types?

They help explain why people behave the way they do, increasing our understanding of human behavior.

Why is understanding personality types considered important in science?

Gaining insight into human behavior and the mechanisms behind it is a key goal of scientific inquiry.