Structure, Change and Stability of Personality Flashcards
(33 cards)
what is the main statistical method used to create personality models
factor analysis
two types of factor analysis
-exploratory fa (EFA)
-confirmatory fa (CFA)
exploratory factor analysis
data reduction technique: aims to determine the number and nature of ‘underlying factors’ that explain a pattern of correlations between large numbers of variables
generates hypotheses
confirmatory factor analysis
statistical technique for model testing or to confirm whether a predefined factor structure fits the data
tests hypotheses
latent factors
unobservable variables
examples of latent factors
-intelligence
-anxiety
-depression
-personality
when/why is confirmatory factor analysis used
to confirm or test whether a previously identified set of factors (latent variables) accurately describes the relationship among observed variables (measurable items)
-used to validate the factor structure of a questionnaire or measurement scale developed by EFA or theoretical reasoning
when/why is exploratory factor analysis used
when the researcher does not know the exact structure of the data and wants to discover how many underlying factors exist
-used to reduce the number of variables into more interpretable factors
-used to develop scales and measures for psychological traits, behaviours or attitudes
eysenck theory of personality
two broad factors:
-extraversion-introversion
-neuroticism-stability
later a third variable, psychoticism, was added
lexical approach to structure of personality
assumption that the most important individual differences in human transaction will come to be encoded in words in language
cattell’s 16 personality factors (16PF)
did by hand the first factor analyses of 35 traits/ synonyms
found 12 factors and added 4 later = 16 personality factors
-warmth
-Intellect
-emotional stability
-aggressiveness
-liveliness
-dutifulness
-social assertiveness
-sensitivity
-paranoia
-abstractness
-introversion
-anxiety
-openmindedness
-independence
-perfectionism
-tension
big 5 factor model of personality
(OCEAN)
Openness to experience
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
Agreeableness
Neuroticism
neuroticism
identifies individuals prone to:
-psychological distress
-unrealistic ideas
-excessive cravings or urges
-maladaptive coping responses
extraversion
assess quantity and intensity of:
-interpersonal interaction
-activity level
-need for stimulation
-capacity for joy
openness to experience
assesses:
-proactive seeking and appreciation of experience for its own sake
-toleration for and exploration of the unfamiliar
agreeableness
assesses the quality of one’s interpersonal orientation among a continuum from compassion to antagonism in:
-thoughts
-feelings
-actions
conscientiousness
assesses the individual’s degree of:
-organisation
-persistence
-motivation in goal-directed behaviour
contrasts dependable people with those that are lackadaisical and sloppy
HEXACO model of personality
-honesty-humility
-emotionality
-eXtraversion
-agreeableness
-conscientiousness
-openness to experience
personality models should aim for…
completeness without redundancy
personality traits should be classified into groups consisting of correlated traits
what is the importance of the big 5 model of personality
-simple -helps sort out confusion about different models that suggest 2-3 dimensions
-provides a framework to understand where in the personality space to place specific traits we want to know more about
advantages of the big 5 model of personality
-provides a very useful taxonomic system
-a common language to communicate traits
-a framework to help map and better understand specific personality characteristics
disadvantages of the big 5 model of personality
-seems to capture Western personality dimensions better than Eastern
-does not always replicate, even in Western cultures
what is said to be missing from the big 5 model of personality
honesty-humility is said to be the missing 6th factor of this model
taxonomic system
system of naming/ defining
