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PSYC 370 - Personality Psychology > CH4 - Dispositional Domain II - Extension & Applications of Trait Theory > Flashcards

CH4 - Dispositional Domain II - Extension & Applications of Trait Theory Flashcards

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1
Q

PERSON x SITUATION INTERACTIONS
– from here on–

A

– from here on–

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2
Q

According to Trait Theorists, what determines Behavior?

A

Underlying Personality Traits.

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3
Q

What is the formula that many Trait Theorists use to describe behavior?

A

B = f (T)

where:

  • B is Behavior – and –
  • T is Underlying Personality Traits.
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4
Q

According to Walter Mischel, what determines Behavior?

A

The Situation, – not individual differences.

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5
Q

What formula did Walter Mischel (1968) propose to describe behavior?

A

B = f (S)

where:

  • B is Behavior – and -
  • S is the Situation
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6
Q

Which camp also adopted the formula B = f(S)?

A

The behaviorist camp

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7
Q

What is the concept of “Behavioral Signatures” according to Walter Mischel?

A

The idea – that each individual – shows consistent patterns of Behavior – across Similar Situations, – but these patterns are Unique – to the individual.

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8
Q

What does the graph on the left side represent in Mischel’s Behavioral Signatures?

A

A child who is – most aggressive during Peer Tease – and – least aggressive during Adult Punishment.

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9
Q

What does the graph on the right side represent in Mischel’s Behavioral Signatures?

A

A child who is – most aggressive during Peer Approach – and – least aggressive during Adult Praise.

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10
Q

What does Mischel argue about individuals and behavior?

A
  • He argued that – each individual – leaves their own signature behaviour, —- meaning no individual – shares the exact same behaviour.
  • In other words, – your INTERACTION – with the SITUATION – is UNIQUE to you.

– PERSON x SITUATION INTERACTIONS = is UNIQUE to you.

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11
Q

What does “Reciprocal” mean in Reciprocal Determinism?

A

It means – back and forth interaction.

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12
Q

What does “Determinism” refer to in Reciprocal Determinism?

A

It refers to – behavior being – determined by – certain factors.

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13
Q

What is Reciprocal Determinism?

A

It’s the theory – that behavior is – determined by – the constant interaction – between TRAITS and the SITUATION/ENVIRONMENT, —- producing – UNIQUE behaviors characteristic of an individual.

  • B = f (T x S)
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14
Q

What is the formula that represents Reciprocal Determinism?

A

B = f (T × S)

where:

  • B = Behavior
  • T = Traits
  • S = Situation/Environmnet
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15
Q

How is behavior assessed under Reciprocal Determinism?

A

Through Observation – in a given situation.

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16
Q

What is the best predictor of future behavior, according to this Reciprocal Determinism theory?

A

Your Past behavior – in a – similar situation.

  • In other words, – I have no idea how your TRAITS – are going to INTERACT – in a given SITUATION, – until I observe you – in that Situation.
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17
Q

Why can’t we predict if a baby will like rock climbing in the future?

A

Because – we haven’t observed them – in relevant Situations – to see – how their Traits INTERACT – with the Environment.

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18
Q

SEE PICTURE

A
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19
Q

What is the Interactionist Model in personality psychology?

A

A resolution between – Trait theories – and – Situation theories, – stating that Behaviour is shaped – by the Interaction – between Traits – and – Situations.

  • Behaviour = Interaction between = Traits and Situations.
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20
Q

What theory led to the development of the if-then method of personality analysis?

A

Interactionist Model

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21
Q

What is the “if-then” method of personality analysis?

A

A model suggesting that – IF a person has certain Traits – and – IF they encounter a certain Situation, – THEN a predictable behavior will follow.

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22
Q

Give an example of the “if-then” model involving a frustrating situation.

A
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23
Q

Give an example of Reciprocal Determinism.

A

The example shows – how Traits – Interact – with Situations – to produce Behavior. —- A short-tempered person – may kick the machine, – while a patient person may ask for help.

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24
Q

According to the interactionist view, when do personality differences become visible?

A

Only in the – right situations.

  • Without a frustrating situation, – we would never know – who has a short temper – and – who is patient.
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25
Why are some traits difficult to assess through observation?
Because -- the **right situation** -- to **reveal** the **trait** (e.g., **courage**) -- may **rarely occur**.
26
What do trait psychologists now believe about predicting behavior?
**Traits** can -- **predict SOME behavior**, -- **SOME** of the **time**, -- especially **across** a **wide range of situations**, -- but **NOT reliably** in **one specific situation**.
27
What are the three types of Person–Situation interactions?
1. **Reactive** 1. **Proactive** 1. **Evocative**
28
What is a Reactive Person–Situation interaction?
When **individuals** -- react **Differently** -- to the **same situation** -- based on their **traits** -- and -- **perceptual schemas**.
29
Example of Reactive interaction?
30
What is a Proactive Person–Situation interaction?
When **individuals** -- **actively select situations**/**environment** -- that **want** to **be in**, -- which in turn **influence** their **behavior**.
31
Example of Proactive interaction?
another example = A person who **fears** **heights avoids rock climbing** -- and -- **chooses figure skating instead**, -- **actively selecting their environment.**
32
What is an Evocative Person–Situation interaction?
When an **individual’s traits** -- **evoke** **specific responses** =-- from **others**, -- **shaping** the **situation**.
33
Example of Evocative interaction?
Two professors teaching the same class—one engaging, one monotone—**evoke different reactions from students**, **changing** the **class experience**.
34
How do Evocative interactions shape situations?
The **individual’s behavior** or **traits** -- **change** the **reactions** of **others**, -- **creating** a **unique** **situational** **experience**.
35
**Strength of Situation** -- from here on--
-- from here on--
36
What happens in a strong situation?
The **Situation** -- overpowers **Personality Traits**, -- and **most** people **behave** -- in a **similar way**.
37
Give examples of strong situations.
* **Death of a loved one** (most ***people grieve***). * **Pandemic** (many had ***similar reactions*** like ***isolation*** and ***fear***).
38
What happens in a weak or ambiguous situation?
There is -- **Less Situational Influence**, -- allowing **Personality Traits** -- to **play** a **greater** **role** -- in **behavior**.
39
What is an example of a weak situation?
The **Rorschach inkblot test**, -- where **interpretation** --varies **widely** -- based on **individual personality.**
40
What is the Principle of Aggregation? ## Footnote - 100% on exam
The **idea** -- that the **average** of -- **multiple observations** -- **gives** a **more reliable measure** -- than a **single observation**.
41
Why is a one-item final exam a bad example of assessment?
Because it **lacks reliability**—it’s **not** an **accurate** **reflection** -- of **overall knowledge**.
42
How does the principle of aggregation apply to Traits?
**Traits** -- are **better assessed** -- through **multiple observations** or **items**, -- **NOT** just **one behavior** or **response**.
43
Why are personality scales with more items more reliable?
Because they **average** -- **across more data points**, -- **reducing error** -- and -- better **capturing** the **Trait**.
44
Does aggregation apply to Behavioral Observations?
**Yes**
45
How does aggregation apply to Behavioral Observations?
**Observing** -- **behavior** **multiple times** -- gives a **clearer picture** -- of **how -- Traits** -- **Interact** -- with **Situations**.
46
Example of aggregation in behavior?
**One-time rock climbing** --may **not reveal much**, ---- but **10 experiences** -- can show -- **how your Traits** -- influence **Behavior** -- in that **context**.
47
What is a Fleeson's Density Distribution in personality psychology?
**Each trait** -- should be **viewed** -- as a **distribution of states** -- that **influence** **behavior**.
48
What does the Mean of a density distribution represent?
A **person’s average trait score** (e.g., ***average number of words spoken per hour***).
49
How does Fleeson’s model apply the principle of aggregation?
By **aggregating** **observations** -- of a **Trait** -- across **multiple situations**, -- we can **better** **measure** and **predict** -- **Trait behavio**r.
50
Example of aggregation using Fleeson’s model?
If we **track** -- **how many words** -- **Person A speaks per hour** -- across **many** **Situations**, -- we can **predict** -- their **Trait level** -- more **reliably**.
51
What is the significance of variability in Trait expression?
It **reflects** that -- **Behavior** is **NOT fixed**, -- but **distributed** around a **Trait Mean**, -- **shaped** by both -- **Traits** and **Situations**.
52
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53
The **MBTI** (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) -- from here on--
-- from here on--
54
Based on MBTI what are the 4 categorical groups that Individuals fall into?
1. **Introversion** (**I**) vs. **Extraversion** (**E**). 1. **Sensing** (**S**) vs. **Intuition** (**N**). 1. **Thinking** (**T**) vs. **Feeling** (**F**). 1. **Judging** (**J**) vs. **Perceiving** (**P**).
55
What does the Introversion–Extraversion dimension measure?
**Individual's** **preference** -- of being **around others**.
56
What are the characteristics of Introverts (I)?
Introverts **prefer**: * To **recharge** -- by **spending time alone**.
57
What are the characteristics of Extraverts (E)?
Extraverts get **energy** -- from **being** -- **around others**.
58
What does the Sensing–Intuition dimension measure?
**How** people **prefer** -- to **obtain** **information**.
59
What are the characteristics of Sensing (S)? - Give example.
**S** prefer: * **Facts** * **Details** * **Specificity**. * Example: I am in a ***room*** with a ***beige couch***, ***blue desk***= these are the **Facts**, desk is ***L-shaped*** = **Details**
60
What are the characteristics of Intutions/Intuitives (N)?
**N** prefer: * **Making global connections** * **Exploring bigger picture ideas** * Example: **What kind of global connection can I make** based on following facts: -- I am in a ***room*** with a ***beige couch***, ***blue desk***= these are the **Facts**, desk is ***L-shaped*** = **Details**
61
What does the Thinking–Feeling dimension measure?
**How people make decisions.**
62
What are the characteristics of Thinking/Thinkers (T)?
**T** prefers: * **Logic** * **Reason**
63
What are the characteristics of Feeling/Feelers (F)?
**F** is **guided** by: * **Emotions**
64
What does the Judging–Perceiving dimension measure?
A **person’s** -- **daily lifestyle**.
65
What are the characteristics of Judging/Judgers (J)? - Give example.
**J** prefers: * **Planning** * **Analysis** of **potential consequences**
66
What are the characteristics of Perceiving/Perceivers (P)?
**P** prefers: * **Spontaneity**. * **Flexibility** in their **lifestyle**. * Example: Let’s go to the ***Party*** on ***Sunday*** -- and -- ***I am going to worry*** -- about the ***consequences*** ***later***.
67
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68
What are the Limitations of the MBTI?
1. **Output** based **entirely** on **Barnum statements**. 2. **No predictive power**. 3. **Lack** of **reliability**. 4. **Inappropriate** **categorical** **distinctions**
69
What is a Barnum statement?
**Statements** -- which are **so broad,** -- they could **apply** --to **anyone**. -- (***describes 90%*** of the ***population***).
70
What does it mean when we say the MBTI has no predictive power?
**Knowing** -- someone's **MBTI** type (e.g., **INFJ-A**) -- **does NOT** -- **predict anything**.
71
Why is the MBTI considered unreliable?
Because -- People can **easily** get **reclassified** upon **retaking** the **test**.
72
Why is the MBTI easy to fake?
Because -- people can **intentionally** **answer** in **ways** -- that -- **reflect** **how** they **want to be seen**, -- **NOT** how they **actually are.**
73
What happens when scores are near the center of a trait distribution?
A **change** -- in **just** -- **1** or **2** **answers** -- can **flip** a **person’s MBTI type**, -- showing its **instability**.
74
Why are MBTI’s categorical distinctions considered inappropriate?
Because -- **personality** **traits** -- **exist** -- on a **Continuum**, -- **NOT** in **Binary categories** -- like "***Introvert***" or "***Extravert***".
75
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PSYC 370 - Personality Psychology (5 decks)

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