Personality

1
Personality

• Chapter 12, Part II

2
Trait Theory
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Trait TheoryDescriptive

• Trait theories of personality seek to describe an
  individuals personality, doesnt explain why an
  individual might have developed such a
  personality.
• Various trait theories have been developed over
  the years, most of which seek to sort individuals
  into different types based on their personalities.

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The 16PF

• Catell described two types of traits
• Surface traitscan be seen by others outward.
• Source traitsmore basic aspects that underly the
  surface traits core of personality.
• Developed an assessment based on 16 basic source
  traitsthe 16PF.

5
Five-Factor Model

• Developed by statistically grouping hundreds of
  possible descriptors of personality (e.g.,
  helpful, impulsive) into larger categories.
• Through this statistical process, five main
  factors were found (the Big Five).
• All descriptors of personality can be categorized
  under one of these five factors.

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The Five Factors

• Neuroticism level of emotional stability,
  security or anxiety, insecurity.
• Extraversionlevel of being outgoing, sociable,
  or shy, reserved.
• Openness to New Experiencelevel of imagination,
  independence, or conformity, comfort with
  routine.
• Agreeablenesslevel of being cooperative,
  easy-going or suspicious, cold.
• Conscientiousnesslevel of organization,
  discipline, or impulsivity, carelessness.

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Criticisms

• Traits seem to be somewhat consistent over the
  lifetime, but ones behavior seems to change a
  great deal based on the situation this isnt
  accounted for in trait theory.
• Doesnt at all explain why individuals develop
  certain personality traits.

8
Behavioral Genetics

• Study of how much a persons personality is
  inherited.
• Twin studies suggest that identical twins more
  similar than fraternal on some personality
  dimensions.
• Adoption studies also suggest that genetics
  account for a lot of personality development.

9
Culture

• One researcher found that cultures differ along
  four basic dimensions of personality.
• Individualism/Collectivism
• Power distance
• Masculinity/Femininity
• Uncertainty avoidance

10
Assessment of Personality

• Interviewssubjective, can have halo effect.
• Projective testsbased on idea of projecting
  unconscious needs onto ambiguous stimulus also
  subjective to some extent.
• Rorschach Inkblot Test
• Thematic Apperception Test
• Behavioral assessmentsrely on direct
  observation, rating scales, etc.

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Personality Inventories

• Standard list of questions, more objective
  measure.
• MMPI is most famous one
• Very well-researched
• Many validity scales
• Looking primarily at pathology (problems)
• NEO-PI is well-known, based on Five Factors
• Looking at personality functioning, not just
  problems