Personality exam 2

Trait Approach

focus is on individual differences. every person is like all other people, like some people, and like no other person

the person situation debate

which is more important for determining what people will do? the person or situation?

Mischel

believed behavior is too inconstant to be characterized accurately in terms of global personality traits

situational argument

the upper limit as to how well a person can predict another’s behavior is low, situations must be more important than personality traits, people see others are being more consistent across situations

convergent validation

the more items of diverse information that converge, the more confident the conclusion

single trait approach

examines correlations between traits and many behaviors

self monitoring

an ability to regulate behavior to accommodate social situations

high self- monitoring

adaptable, flexible. popular, sensitive, and able to fit in wherever they go

low self monitoring

self- directed, having integrity, and being consistent and honest. stubborn, insensitive, and inflexible.

narcissism

excessive self-love and need for admiration, which may be a personality disorder

many trait approach

examines correlation between one behavior and many traits

the essential trait approach

which traits are really the most important? With traits really matter?

factor analytic approach

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

the big five

neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness

extraversion

Adventurous, has powerful influence on behavior, sensitive to rewards. Disadvantage, argumentative, and needs to be in control

neuroticism

ineffective problem solving, general tendency towards psychopathology and vulnerability, associated with undesirable life outcomes

conscientiousness

Careful, rule abiding, ambitious. Valuable employees, and considerate drivers.

Agreeablity

conformity, friendly, likeablity, warmth, love. predicts like outcomes

openness

Openness to experiences/culture/intellect

typology approach

the structure of traits across individuals is not the same as the structure of personality within a person.

heterotypic continuity

the effects of fundamental temperament tendencies change with age, but temperamental and personality stay the same

person environment transactions

people tend to respond to, seek out, and create environments that are compatible with and may magnify, their personality traits

personality development

change in the mean level of personality trait over time

biochemistry

effects of neurotransmitters and hormones on brain process

phineas gage

brain damage, frontal lobe damage

dopamine

allows the brain to control body movements, and with response to reward and tendencies to approach appealing objects and people

serotonin

plays a role in the control of behavior impulses and fear and anxiety. lowers anger, oversensitivity, and worrying too much

oxytocin

promotes nurturant and sociable behaviors, relaxation and reduction of fear; decrease anxiety and increase attachment between mother and children

high level cortisol

related to people who experience severe stress, anxiety, and depression

low level cortisol

related to post-traumatic stress disorder

aggressiveness

help person to protect territory, property, and mates. can lead to fighting, murder, and industrial scale murder called war.

sociometer theory

feelings of self-esteem evolved to monitor the degree to which a person is accepted by other

personality traits

a pattern of behavior that is generally consistent across situations

assumption

traits and behaviors influenced by genes should be more similar among more closely related people