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PSYC 370 - Personality Psychology > CH 3 - Dispositional Domain I: Traits & Trait Taxonomies > Flashcards

CH 3 - Dispositional Domain I: Traits & Trait Taxonomies Flashcards

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1
Q

Debate about defining traits
– from here on–

A

– from here on–

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2
Q

What are Personality Traits?

A

Personality traits – are construct – which are relatively stable over time, – and – used to define – who an individual – is in general.

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3
Q

What is the Debate in defining Personality Traits?

A

The debate centers around – whether traits– are CAUSAL properties (causing behavior) – or – DEESCRIPTIVE summaries (summarizing observed behaviors).

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4
Q

What is the CAUSAL view of traits?
– Give example.

A
  • Traits are – seen as internal causes of behavior.
  • The trait itself drives actions.
  • Example: Janet’s extraversion – CAUSED her – to want to – go to the party.
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5
Q

Can traits be causal even if not directly observed in behavior?
- Give example

A

Yes.

  • Example, goals or motivations, –like Steve’s persistence – can CAUSE behavior (staying motivated), – even if NOT always visible.
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6
Q

What is the Descriptive Summary view of traits?
–Give example.

A

Traits do NOT CAUSE behavior — they are LABELS created – to summarize observed patterns.

  • Example: Seeing Janet at parties and social at work, – we LABEL her – as extraverted.
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7
Q

Key difference between causal and descriptive views of traits?

A
  • Causal view: Trait → behavior
  • Descriptive view: Behavior → inferred trait (NO causal power)
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8
Q

What is the Act Frequency Approach to traits?

A
  • The most common approach – used by those – who see – traits as Descriptions of behaviors – is the Act Frequency Approach
  • – and those who do more of these acts – score higher on that trait.
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9
Q

Is Act Frequency Approach time-consuming?

A

Yes

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10
Q

Why is the Act Frequency Approach less commonly used?

A

It’s a long and detailed process, – requiring multiple steps – and – extensive data collection.

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11
Q

Name the 3 step process of Act Frequency Approach.

A
  1. Act Nomination.
  2. Prototypicality Judgements.
  3. Recording Act performance.
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12
Q

What is Act Nomination?
- Give example.

A

Decide which acts – belong – in the category – of your trait of interest.

  • Example: Accepting a dare without worrying about consequences = is an act of impulsivity.
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13
Q

What is Prototypicality judgement?
- Give example.

A

Raters decide – which acts identified – in step 1 are MOST prototypical – of the trait of interest.

  • Example: Robins and sparrows – are more prototypical “BIRDS” CATEGORY – than – turkeys.
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14
Q

What is Recording act performance?

A

Frequency of acts – identified as most prototypical – are then – either observed – or – self-reported.

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15
Q

Are scores normed in Act Frequency Approach?

A

No

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16
Q

Why are scores NOT normed in Act Frequency Approach?

- EXAM Ques

A
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17
Q

What is the Strength of the Act Frequency Approach?

A

Helps clarify – the relationships – between – traits and behaviors.

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18
Q

Why is the Act Frequency Approach useful for unclear traits?
- Give example.

A

Beacuse of vague or subjective meanings.

  • Example. Meaning of impulsivity –might be different – for me – than – for you)
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19
Q

What are the Limitations of the Act Frequency Approach?

A
  1. Large amounts of context – are needed – to identify the behavior – as belonging to a trait category.
  2. Only applicable – to – directly observable behaviors.
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20
Q

What are the Strengts & Limitations of the Act Frequency Approach?

A

STRENGTH =
1. Helps clarify – the relationships – between – traits and behaviors.

LIMITATION=
1. Large amounts of context – are needed – to identify the behavior – as belonging to a trait category.

  1. Only applicable – to – directly observable behaviors.
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21
Q

What is the Lexical Approach to identifying personality traits?

A

It’s the theory – that – all important – individual differences – are encoded/exist in language.

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22
Q

According to the Lexical Approach, where should we look to find ways to describe personality?

A

The dictionary – language reflects the traits people consider important.

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23
Q

Who read the entire dictionary to find personality-related words?

A

Allport and Odbert (1936) – they created a massive list of words – related to personality.

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24
Q

How many words were in Allport and Odbert’s trait word list?

A

18,000 words

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25
What categories did Allport and Odbert divide the 18,000 words into?
1. **Traits** (***~5,000 words***) 1. **States** 1. **Activities** 1. **Other** (***evaluations***, ***skills***, etc.)
26
How do we decide which traits are most important in the Lexical Approach?
Through **Synonym Frequency**
27
What is Synonym Frequency?
The -- **more** **synonyms** for a **trait** in a **language**, -- the **more** **important** it **likely** is.
28
What is an example of synonym frequency indicating importance?
The trait **Dominant** has many **related words**: * ***Bossy*** * ***Powerful*** * ***Assertive*** * ***Forceful*** * ***Leaderlike*** * ***Influential***
29
How do we decide which traits are universal across cultures?
By using **cross-cultural universality**.
30
What is **cross-cultural universality**?
If a **trait** is **important**, -- it will be **found** -- in the **languages** -- of many **cultures**.
31
What is an example of a universal trait found in many cultures?
**Extraversion** – has been **identified** -- in **over 30 languages**.
32
What is an example of a **culture-specific** trait word?
"**Unokai**" – a word used by the **Yanomamo** **Indians** -- to describe -- a **man who has killed** **another man** -- and -- **achieved** “**manhood**.”
33
What is an example of a **culture-specific** trait word?
"**Unokai**" – a word used by the **Yanomamo** **Indians** -- to describe -- a **man who has killed** **another man** -- and -- **achieved** “**manhood**.”
34
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35
What is Cattell’s 16-PF?
The **FIRST personality factor test**, -- developed by **Raymond Cattell**, -- **based** -- on the **Lexical Approach.**
36
What source did Cattell use to start developing the 16-PF?
He started with -- **Allport’s** -- **list** of -- **5,000 trait words**.
37
What was Cattell’s first step in reducing trait words?
He grouped the -- **5,000 words** -- into -- **200 clusters** of **similar traits**.
38
After forming 200 clusters, what did Cattell do next?
He further -- **reduced** the **list** -- to **35 variables**.
39
How did Cattell arrive at the final personality model?
He analyzed -- the **35 variables** using **Factor Analysis** -- and -- identified **16 personality factors**.
40
Has the 16-PF been successfully replicated in research?
**No** – it has **failed** to be **replicated numerous times**.
41
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42
What is the correct way to decide which trait goes where?
**Factor Analysis**
43
What is Factor Analysis?
A **modern statistical technique** -- used to **identify groups** -- of **related** **items** or **traits**.
44
What does Factor Analysis do with raw items?
It takes **raw items** as an **input**, -- and **distills** them **down** -- to a **smaller number** of **factors** -- (***give items to computer, it narrows it down to factor***).
45
On what basis does Factor Analysis group items together?
Based on **how much** **variance** (***how related they are to each other***) -- they share -- and -- **how distinct** they **are** -- from **other items.**
46
Give an example of Factor analysis.
47
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What is a major limitation of Factor Analysis?
Factor analysis contains -- a **large amount** of **researcher** -- **degrees of freedom**.
49
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50
Where did the birth of modern day trait theory came from?
**Lexical approach**
51
What did Factor analysis allowed us to do?
Narrow down -- the **large amount** of **trait words** -- to more **manageable categories**.
52
TRAIT TAXONOMIES -- from here on--
-- from here on--
53
What are the two main approaches to classifying individuals in personality psychology?
1. **Dimensional Approach** (***correct way***) 1. **Categorical Approach** (***incorrect way***)
54
What is the Dimensional Approach to personality? - Give example.
**Individuals** -- are **placed** on a **continuum** -- between **2 opposite poles** of a **trait**. * Example: The ***Big Five personality traits***.
55
What is the Categorical Approach to personality?
**Individuals** -- are **placed** into **distinct categories**. -- Traits are **mutually exclusive** – ***you're one*** or the ***other***. * Example: ***MBTI*** (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)
56
Which Approach is considered better for Personality Psychologists?
**Dimensional Approach**
57
**Big-Five (OCEAN)** --from here on--
--from here on--
58
What does the trait Openness measure? What is its opposite. Give example.
The **degree** -- to which an **individual** **enjoys**: * **Exploring** the **world**, * **Trying new experiences**, and being **open** to **new ideas**. **Opposite**: **closed-midedness**
59
What does the trait Conscientiousness measure? What is its opposite. Give example.
The **individual’s level of**: * **Diligence**, * **Responsibility**, * **Productivity**, * **Organization**, and * Their **capacity to stay on task** until a **project is complete** Opposite: **Lack of direction** Example: Always meets deadlines **(Monica)** vs. a person who does not **(Rachel)** . - form **friends**
60
What does the trait Extraversion measure? What is its opposite. Give example.
The **degree** to which: * The **individual is talkative**, and * **Gets energy** from **others** Opposite: **Introversion**
61
What does the trait Agreeableness measure? What is its opposite. Give example.
The **individual’s capacity** for: * **Maintaining close relationships**, * **How well** they get **along** with **others**, and * **How easily others** can be **friends** with **them**. Opposite: **Antagonism**
63
What does the trait Neuroticism measure? What is its opposite. Give example.
The **extent** to which: * The individual **characterizes** **stimuli** in their **environment** as **threatening**, and * The **frequency** and **intensity** with which they **experience** **negative emotions**. Opposite: **Emotional stability** Example: Ross Geller vs. Joye (from friends)
64
Hierarchical Structures -- from here on--
-- from here on--
65
Why are the Big Five called “BIG”?
Because they are -- **so broad**, **representing** the **highest** (***superordinate***) **level** of **abstraction** or **generality** -- in a **hierarchical model of personality**.
66
What does each Big Five factor include?
They include **5,000** **traits** ➞ that is, about **1,000** **individual traits** for **each factor**.
67
Have the Big Five traits been replicated in other cultures?
**Yes**. * The Big Five model -- has been **replicated** -- in **over 30 countries**.
68
Can personality traits be described at different levels?
**Yes**. * Traits can be **described** -- at **different levels** -- of a **hierarchical structure**, ---- from ***broad*** (***Big Five***) to ***specific traits***.
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71
Can personality traits be defined at different levels of specificity?
**Yes**. * Traits can be **described** **hierarchically**, -- from **broad factors** -- to **specific behaviors**.
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73
What was the first measure of the Big Five personality traits?
**Norman’s Big-Five Markers**
74
What is Norman’s Big-Five Markers?
A **foundational** -- **set of Descriptors** -- used to -- **assess** -- the **Big Five traits**.
75
How did **Goldberg** adapt **Norman’s Big-Five Markers**?
He **transformed** them -- into a **scale** of **bipolar adjectives**, -- where **individuals rate** **themselves** -- between **2 opposite traits**.
76
What is a Bipolar Adjective Scale?
A **rating scale** -- with **2 opposite adjectives** -- at **each end**. * Example: ***Extraverted*** ⟷ ***Introverted*** ***Organized*** ⟷ ***Disorganized***
77
What does NEO stand for in personality testing?
**Neuroticism**, **Extraversion**, and **Openness** – the ***original three traits measured***.
78
What is the NEO-PI-R? Back:
**NEO Personality Inventory** – **Revised**. -- It **added** **Conscientiousness** and **Agreeableness**, -- making it a **full Big Five measure.**
79
What major innovation did the NEO-PI-R introduce?
It was the **first test** -- to **include** **FACETS**.
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81
Why didn’t they rename **NEO** to match all five traits (e.g., **OCEAN-PI-R**), instead they renamed it to **NEO-PI-R**?
They kept the name **NEO-PI-R** -- to **avoid public confusion**, -- even though calling it **OCEAN-PI-R** -- would have **reflected** -- all **five traits more accurately**.
82
83
What does BFI stand for?
**Big Five Inventory**
84
Does the original BFI include facets?
**No**
85
When was BFI-2 Published?
In **2017**
86
Does BFI-2 include Facets?
**Yes**
87
Example BFI-2 items. -- see picture
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CRITIQUES OF THE BIG FIVE -- from here on--
-- from here on--
91
What are the Strengths of the Big Five?
1. **Provides** -- a **clear picture** -- of **who** an **individual** is **overall**. 1. **Large degree** -- of -- **cultural generalizability**. a) ***ALMOST*** a ***universal theory***, but ***not quite…***
92
What are the Limitations of the Big Five?
* **Not comprehensive**. * **Focus** is only on **between-person comparisons** (***doesn’t lays emphasis on*** ***what is important*** to ***us***, it is an ***idiographic approach***). a) ***No emphasis*** on ***unique traits*** (***Allport***).
93
What are the Strengths & Limitations of the Big Five?
STRENGTH: 1. **Provides** -- a **clear picture** -- of **who** an **individual** is **overall**. 1. **Large degree** -- of -- **cultural generalizability**. a) ***ALMOST*** a ***universal theory***, but ***not quite…*** LIMITATION: * **Not comprehensive**. * **Focus** is only on **between-person comparisons** (***doesn’t lays emphasis on*** ***what is important*** to ***us***, it is an ***idiographic approach***). a) ***No emphasis*** on ***unique traits*** (***Allport***).
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95
What is the Goal of Big Five?
**Goal** is -- to **summarize** **personality** -- using a **small number** of **factors/traits** and **facets** -- which **describe** many **individuals** -- **across** a **wide variety** of **situations**.
96
Example of a trait that the Big Five does not include
**Narcissism** | it is different from neuroticism.
97
Are some traits more important to certain people than others?
**Yes**
98
What is the Openness factor called in different countries?
* **Turkey**: **Openness** * ***Netherlands***: ***Progressive*** (opposite: conservative) * **Germany**: **Intelligence** * ***Italy***: ***Conventionality***
99
Are the other four Big Five traits culturally stable/highly replicable?
**Yes**. * The other four traits (**Extraversion**, **Conscientiousness**, **Agreeableness**, **Neuroticism**) -- are culturally stable/highly replicable.
100
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101
What does HEXACO stand for?
* **H** = **Honesty**-**Humility** * **E** = **Emotionality** * **X** = **Extraversion** * **A** =**Agreeableness** * **C** =**Conscientiousness** * **O** =**Openness** → A **6-factor personality model**.
102
What is the new sixth factor in the HEXACO model?
**Honesty-Humility** – reflects: * ***Sincerity*** * ***Fairness*** * ***Modesty***
103
How was Honesty-Humility created?
By **shifting** -- the **opposite pole** -- of **Agreeableness** to **Anger**.
104
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105
What did Allport believe about personality description?
Allport believed that -- **organization of traits** -- **within a person** -- are -- **much more important**, -- **unique**, -- and a **single system** like the **Big Five** -- **can NOT** **describe** everyone. **→** This is called the **idiographic approach**.
106
What are Allport’s 3 types of traits?
1. **Cardinal** – (***top level***) 1. **Central** – (***mid level***) 1. **Secondary** – (***third level***)
107
What is a Cardinal trait? (Top level) - Give example.
* A **trait** -- that is -- **of greatest importance** -- and -- **dominates** a **person’s life.** * **Present** -- in -- **EVERY** situation. Example: ***Mother Teresa*** – compassion
108
What is a Central trait? (Mid level) - Give example.
* **Traits** that are -- **less pervasive** -- but still -- **generalizable**. * Influence -- **MANY** **situations**. Example: ***honesty***, ***sociability***
109
What is a Secondary trait? (Third level) - Give example.
* **Traits** -- that are **more specific** and have **narrow** **attitudes**. * **Appear** in -- **SOME** situations only. Example: ***a person being shy*** -- only -- ***when public speaking***.
110
What does PEN stand for in Eysenck’s model?
**Psychoticism**, **Extraversion**, **Neuroticism**
111
What is Eysenck’s PEN model aka?
**Giant 3 traits**
112
What is Psychoticism in the PEN model?
* Includes **facets** -- like **aggressive**, -- **egocentric**, -- **lack of empathy**, -- **impulsive**. * Basically -- a **combination** of -- **low A** -- and -- **low C**. * Still -- a **trait of interest** .
113
How does Extraversion in the PEN model compare to the Big Five?
It is essentially -- the **same** -- as **Big Five** -- **Extraversion**.
114
How does Neuroticism in the PEN model compare to the Big Five?
It is essentially -- the **same** -- as **Big Five** -- **Neuroticism**.
115
What did Eysenck believe about the origins of traits?
He **believed** -- **traits** were -- **biologically** **based** -- and -- **inherited**.
116
What does behavioral genetics say about PEN traits?
The **heritability** is **moderate**, -- meaning both **genes** -- and -- **environment** -- **play** a **role**.
117
What else did Eysenck argue about PEN traits?
Each PEN trait -- has -- **distinct physiological markers**.
118
What are the biological markers of Psychoticism?
* **High testosterone** * **Low MAO** (Monoamine Oxidase – a ***neurotransmitter inhibitor)***
119
What are the biological markers of Neuroticism?
* A **labile autonomic nervous system**. * Meaning: ***Unpredictable*** or ***unstable*** ***physiological responses***.
120
What are the biological markers of Extraversion?
* **Low nervous system reactivity** * **Introverts** have -- **more sensitive nervous systems** -- than **extroverts**. → i.e., They are ***more easily overstimulated*** by ***external stimuli***.
121
What did Eysenck hate?
**Big Five**, because: * **Agreeableness**, * **Openness** and * **Conscientiousness** **do NOT** have -- **distinct biological markers**.
122
CORRELATES OF THE BIG FIVE -- from here on --
-- from here on --
123
What is the defining feature of Extraversion or What is Extraversion Correlated to?
**Social Attention**
124
See picture. Don't need to memorize, but should know.
125
What is the defining feature of Agreeableness or What is Agreeableness Correlated to?
* **Friendliness** * **Approachability**
126
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127
What is the defining feature of Conscientiousness or What is Conscientiousness Correlated to?
* **Organization** * **Planning**
128
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129
What is the defining feature of Neuroticism or What is Neuroticism Correlated to?
* **Emotional variability**
130
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131
What is the defining feature of Openness or What is Openness Correlated to?
* **Love for novel environments**
132
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133
What does Greater openness leads to?
**Increased information processing**

PSYC 370 - Personality Psychology (5 decks)

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