8. Types, Traits and Interactionism Flashcards
(100 cards)
What are the themes of the dispositional approach?
- Continuity in thoughts, feelings, behaviors
- Focus on individual differences rather than intrapersonal processes
- Differing approaches of theorist
What are the two different approaches of theorists in the dispositional approach
o Identification, classification and measurement of traits and types
o Identification and understanding of differences in needs that underlie behaviour
What are the 4 types of humours proposed by Hippocrates 2400 years ago?
Choleric, Melancholic, Sanguine and Phlegmatic
What is the character of a person with an Endomorph body type in Sheldon’s Body Shape Theory?
relaxed, sociable, tolerant, comfort-loving, peaceful
What is the shape of an Endomorph body type in Sheldon’s Body Shape Theory?
Pulm, buxom, developed visceral structure
What is the character of a person with an Mesomorph body type in Sheldon’s Body Shape Theory?
Active, assertive, vigorous, cobative
What is the shape of an Mesomorph body type in Sheldon’s Body Shape Theory?
Muscular
What is the character of a person with an Ectomorph (cerebrotonic) body type in Sheldon’s Body Shape Theory?
Quiet, fragile, restrained, non-assertive, sensitive
What is the shape of an Ectomorph body type in Sheldon’s Body Shape Theory?
lean, delicate, poor muslces
Who was Meyer Friedman?
An Americal Cardiologist
What did Meyer Friedman hypothesise?
Hypothesized that his patients were driven, impatient people, who sat on the edge of their seats when waiting.
What was Meyer Friedman’s Type A personality?
workaholics, always busy, driven, somewhat impatient, and so on.
What was Meyer Friedman’s Type B personality?
laid back and easy going
How are types changed across the lifespan?
They dont, they are Categorical, distinct & stable across the life span
What do Types suggest about individuals?
Individual is either an introvert OR an extravert; melancholic OR sanguine
What are variations in types considered?
Variations are considered perceptual distortions rather than reflections of basic personality
What is the description of types?
– Discontinuous categories
– Represent qualitative differences in people
– Labeling convenience
– Used commonly in organisations (e.g., team building, communication workshops)
– Often viewed as biologically or genetically based
What is the description of traits?
– Continuous dimensions (e.g. sociability, aggressiveness)
– Represent quantitative differences in people
– Individual differences reflect differences in amount of a trait
– Constellation of traits scores create unique profile of a person
What is the Nomothetic view of traits?
o Sees traits as universal
o Comparison among individuals is possible
o Individuality reflected in unique combinations of traits
Where does the Nomothetic view of traits come from?
From the Greek meaning ‘proposition of the law’
What is the idiographic view of traits?
o Sees traits as idiosyncratic, not universal
o Not all traits are shared
o Traits may differ in connotation and importance among people
o Comparisons may be not be possible
Which is the dominant perspective of traits in psychology>
Nomothetic
What are the key issues with traits?
- How many basic traits are there?
- Which ones are they?
- Essentially, how to define and organize the many ways we describe personality?
What is the theoretical approach to deciding the nature of personality?
Researcher has an idea of what they seek to measure derived from literature, research, observations etc