All Flashcards
Compare trait theories with psychoanalytic theories.
Trait theories focus on identifying and measuring stable characteristics, while psychoanalytic theories emphasize unconscious processes and early childhood experiences.
Compare trait theories with humanistic theories.
Trait theories focus on describing personality dimensions, while humanistic theories emphasize personal growth and self-actualization.
Compare Allport's approach to personality with Eysenck's.
Allport focused on individual traits, while Eysenck focused on universal dimensions.
Compare the Big Five traits with Eysenck's three dimensions.
The Big Five provides a more comprehensive description of personality compared to Eysenck's simpler model.
Compare the nomothetic and idiographic approaches to personality.
The nomothetic approach seeks to establish universal laws, while the idiographic approach focuses on individual uniqueness.
Compare trait theories with social-cognitive theories.
Trait theories emphasize stable internal characteristics, while social-cognitive theories emphasize the interaction between traits and the social context.
Compare cardinal traits and central traits.
Cardinal traits dominate a person's entire life, while central traits are general characteristics that form the foundation of personality.
Compare the MBTI with the Big Five.
The MBTI categorizes people into distinct types, while the Big Five measures personality traits on a continuous scale.
Compare the views of personality between trait theorists and psychodynamic theorists.
Trait theorists view personality as a set of stable characteristics, while psychodynamic theorists view personality as a dynamic interplay of conscious and unconscious motives.
Compare the assumptions made by trait theorists and humanistic theorists.
Trait theorists assume personality is influenced by genetic predispositions, while humanistic theorists assume people strive for self-realization.
What is the main idea behind trait theories?
Personality is made up of stable characteristics (traits) that influence behavior.
What is Allport's main contribution to trait theory?
Categorizing traits into cardinal, central, and secondary traits.
What are Eysenck's three key dimensions of personality?
Extroversion, Neuroticism, and Psychoticism.
What is the purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)?
Categorizes people into 16 personality types based on four dichotomies.
What is Cattell known for in personality theory?
Identifying 16 personality factors using factor analysis.
What are the Big Five personality traits?
Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism (OCEAN).
What is the assumption of trait theories regarding the stability of traits?
Traits are relatively stable over time and across situations.
What is the primary focus of trait theories?
Identifying and measuring consistent patterns of behavior.
What is the 'favorite world' dichotomy in MBTI?
Extroverted (E): Outgoing, energetic, sociable. Introverted (I): Gentle, quiet, caring, logical.
What is the 'information' dichotomy in MBTI?
Sensing (S): Organized, observant, focuses on concrete details. Intuition (N): Logical, conceptual, insightful, focuses on patterns and possibilities.
What is the 'decisions' dichotomy in MBTI?
Feeling (F): Sensitive, appreciative, tactful, values personal concerns. Thinking (T): Analytical, logical, values facts and objectivity.
What is the 'structure' dichotomy in MBTI?
Judging (J): Determined, concrete, prefers structure and planning. Perceiving (P): Independent, questioning, adaptable, prefers flexibility and spontaneity.
Define 'trait' in personality psychology.
A stable characteristic that influences behavior.
What is a cardinal trait?
A dominant trait that defines a person's entire life.
What is a central trait?
General characteristics that form the foundation of personality.
Define 'factor analysis'.
A statistical technique to identify clusters of related traits.
Define 'Extroversion'.
How outgoing and sociable you are.
Define 'Neuroticism'.
Level of emotional stability or instability.
Define 'Psychoticism'.
Level of tough-mindedness and impulsivity.
What does 'Openness' mean in the Big Five?
How open you are to new experiences.
What does 'Conscientiousness' mean in the Big Five?
How organized and careful you are.
What does 'Agreeableness' mean in the Big Five?
How well you get along with others.
What is a nomothetic approach?
Belief that the same basic set of traits can describe everyone's personality.