Personality 15

complementary needs theory

The idea that people are attracted to partners with different personality traits ("opposites attract"). Not supported by research.

personality three mechanisms

selection, evocation, manipulation

attraction similarity theory

The idea that people are attracted to partners with similar personality traits ("birds of a feather flock together"). Strongly supported by research.

assortative mating

The well-documented tendency for people to end up partnered with others who are similar to themselves (personality, physical traits, even things like nose breadth).

violation of desire

Predicts breakups happen more when a partner's desired qualities (e.g., dependability, stability) are violated than when they're fulfilled.

shyness

A tendency to feel tense, worried, or anxious during (or in anticipation of) social interactions; linked to avoidance of social/risky situations.

evocation

The process by which personality traits elicit predictable reactions from other people.

hostile attributional bias

The tendency (common in aggressive people) to interpret ambiguous behavior from others as intentionally hostile.

expectancy confirmation

When our beliefs about someone's personality cause us to act in ways that evoke behavior confirming those beliefs. (self-fulfilling prophecy)

taxonomy

A classification scheme identifying and naming major groups within a subject (e.g., the 11 tactics of manipulation).

Machiavellianism

Personality trait marked by cynicism, manipulativeness, treating others as tools, distrust, and lack of empathy ("high Mach" vs. "low Mach").

Dark Triad

Narcissism + Machiavellianism + Psychopathy.

Dark Tetrad

Dark Triad + Sadism (used in Internet troll research).

Hardball

Deception, degradation, even violence

Regression

“I whine until they do it."

emotional instability

According to Kelly and Conley (1987), ________ has been the most consistent personality predictor of marital volatility and divorce