Week 1: Introductions

Question 1

Define personality

Answer 1

Enduring patterns of thought, feeling, motivation and behaviour expressed in different circumstances

Question 2

List perspectives of personality

Answer 2

• Psychodynamic
• Behavioural
• Humanistic
• Cognitive social
• Genetic influences
• Trait theories

Question 3

Describe the psychodynamic theory of personality

Answer 3

• behaviour is a result of clashing forces within personality
• a negative, pessimistic view of human nature.

Question 4

Describe the humanistic theories of personality

Answer 4

The focus is on subjective experience and the drive for fulfilling human potential. Assumes free will and emphasises uniqueness.

Question 5

Describe behaviourist theories of personality

Answer 5

Psychology should only focus on observable behaviour. Has a neutral, scientific and somewhat mechanistic view of human nature.

Question 6

Describe the cognitive social approach

Answer 6

• brought thoughts and emotions into a previously behaviour based psych
• behaviour can be changed by changing our ways of thinking
• individuals are fluid and adaptive
• humans are unique and have unique ways of thinking

Question 7

Define traits

Answer 7

Emotional, cognitive and behavioural tendencies that constitute underlying personality dimensions on which individuals vary

Question 8

Walter Mischel’s contributions to personality psychology

Answer 8

• personality tests do not predict behaviour because individuals behaviour is inconsistent over time.
• situational context and previous learning history is also important

Question 9

Describe personality consistency

Answer 9

Some personality characteristics are more stablle than others.

Question 10

Define temperament

Answer 10

Basic personality disposition heavily influenced by genes

Question 11

Define heritability

Answer 11

The portion of variance in a particular trait that is due to genetic influences

Question 12

What percentage does heritability estimate for personality traits?

Answer 12

15-50%

Question 13

What aspects of a theorist do their theories usually reflect?

Answer 13

Beliefs, experience, and personality

Question 14

List the ways we can measure personality

Answer 14

• Introspection
• Self report tests e.g. Big 5
• Projective tests
• Naturalistic observation
• Observing reactions
• Rorschach inkblot

Question 15

What are the basic assumptions of personality?

Answer 15

• Biological components
• Shared
• Inherited
• Innate components are affected by experience: early childhood, family, and culture

Question 16

What can affect changes in personality?

Answer 16

• Hormonal changes
• Traumatic events
• Dementia
• Substance abuse
• Infections
• Brain injury
• Stroke
• Heart transplant
• Mental illness like anxiety and depression

Question 17

What are the key questions in personality psychology?

Answer 17

1. Good vs. evil
2. Heredity vs. environment
3. Conscious vs. unconscious
4. Personality vs. situation
5. Determinism vs. free will
6. Uniqueness vs. similarity

Question 18

Define grand theories

Answer 18

• Comprehensive theories that aim to explain all human behaviour
• Reflect the theorists’ beliefs, experience and personality

Question 19

Studies of the FFM suggest that personality stabilises after this many years

Answer 19

30

Question 20

What is an example of personality characteristics that are more stable over time

Answer 20

Inhibition to unfamiliar situations