Human Behaviour wk6 p1

Introduction to Personality Psychology

• The lecture is led by Dr. Emma Walzer, who holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Wollongong.
• Focus area: Individual differences influencing vulnerability to daily life impacts.
• Research interests include personality traits linked to psychosis and promoting well-being.

Acknowledgment of Traditional Custodians

• Recognition of the Darug people's enduring connection to the land.
• Honoring their elders, past and present, and commitment to working with Indigenous peoples respectfully.

Overview of the Lecture

1. Person Approach: Most accepted approach, understanding personality through traits.
2. Situational Approach: A rebuttal focusing on situational factors influencing behavior.
3. Interaction Approach: A synthesis of the person and situation perspectives.

The Person-Centered Approach

• Focus on individual growth and understanding influencing behavior.
• Personality traits:
  • Enduring characteristics that describe consistent thought, emotion, and behavior patterns.
  • Used for differentiation and behavior prediction across situations.
• Traits exist on a continuum (low to high).

Trait Theory in Personality Psychology

• A major approach within personality psychology focusing on traits.
• Key components include:
  • Identification & measurement of personality traits.
  • The influence of genetics and environment on personality.
  • Relationship between personality and life outcomes (e.g., health, relationships, career).

Key Theorists in Trait Theory

1. Gordon Allport

   • Distinction of three types of traits:
     • Cardinal Traits: Dominant traits defining person’s life.
     • Central Traits: General characteristics forming personality's foundation.
     • Secondary Traits: Situationally bound, less consistent.
   • Emphasized uniqueness of individual trait configurations (1937).

2. Raymond Cattell

   • Developed trait theory using factor analysis, introducing a quantitative approach.
   • Identified 16 key personality factors (1946).

3. Hans Eysenck

   • Proposed a hierarchical model with three dimensions:
     • Psychoticism
     • Extroversion-Introversion
     • Neuroticism-Stability
   • Suggested biological basis for these dimensions (1953).

4. Jeffrey Gray

   • Focused on two systems: Behavioral Activation System (BAS) and Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS).
   • Emphasized biological underpinnings and the interaction with behavioral theories (1987).

5. Paul Costa & Robert McCrae

   • Developed the Big Five (OCEAN model):
     • Openness to Experience
     • Conscientiousness
     • Extroversion
     • Agreeableness
     • Neuroticism
   • Widely accepted and predictive of life outcomes; remains stable across cultures.

Stability of Personality Traits

• Personality traits show stability across time and cultures, supporting the person-centered debate.
• Evidence includes:
  1. Longitudinal Studies: Track individual changes over time; consistency increases with age, especially post-30.
  2. Cross-Cultural Studies: Show stability of Big Five traits across cultures.
  3. Twin Studies: Compare identical vs. fraternal twins to assess genetic vs. environmental impact.
  • Findings indicate a genetic component to traits; heritability estimates range from 40% to 60% for Big Five traits.

Conclusion

• Evidence suggests significant trait stability, supporting the person perspective despite acknowledging situational influences.
• Upcoming discussion will cover the situational perspective of personality psychology.