Research in Contemporary Personality Psychology

behavioral genetics

scientific study of the complex genetic and environmental condition that together contribute to the expression of behavior in human personality

quantitive genetics

study of the individual variations in traits through procedures that allow for the assessment of the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors

temperament

biographically based individual differences that influence children’s unique behavioral styles and the way they experience

molecular genetics

study of genes at the molecular level regarding DNA variations that create differences physiologically that can affect personality functioning and behavior

evolutionally theory

theory that seeks to understand the development of human behavior by focusing primarily on out animal heritage

interactional temperament model

state environment and temperament mutally influence each other

differential parental investment hypothesis

female are thought to make greater investment in offspring because they endure a 9 month pregnancy whereas men can produce the same child with less investment

positive psychology

1. a science that seek to promote human strengths and virtues and is a science of positive emotions, individual traits, and institutions that seek to improve the quality of life for everyone

2. study of the conditions and process that contribute to the flourishing or optimal function of people groups or institutions; the focus is on what is working and how it can work better

existentialism

philosophical model that dates back to the mid-1800s; each person must create a source of meaning for themselves

self determination theory

real happiness come from not pursuing (hedonia) but also fulfilling our needs and goals (eudaimonia); humans have a need to pursue goal instrinsically

flow

state where people are in when they are doing something challenging and engaging

5 main areas of research sparked by grand theorists

1. biological contributions

2. multicultural perspective

3. big 5 traits

4. positive pysch

5. personality difference through analysis of internet use

culture socialization processes largely effect

1. gender

2. racial

3. religious

internet use research

1. internal vs external

2. introverts vs extraverts

3. non-neurotics vs neurotics

3 fundamental instrinsic goals

1. autonomy

2. relatedness

3. competence