1 Psychology 305A: Personality Psychology September 24 Lecture 6

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Psychology 305A: Personality Psychology

September 24

Lecture 6

Exam 1: September 26, 2013

• The exam will be scored out of 50 points: 30 multiple choice questions (1 point each), 5 extended response questions (2-6 points each; totaling 20 points).

• The exam is worth one-third of your final grade if you do not write the optional paper and one-quarter of your final grade if you do write the optional paper.

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• Please arrive on time to facilitate rapid distribution of the exams.

• Bring a pencil, eraser, pen, and student ID to the exam.

• All electronic devices must be stored prior to the exam.

• Bags and backpacks should be left at the front of the room. Valuables may be placed under your seat.

• Turn in extra copies of the exam at the start of the examination period; university policy requires that all exams be accounted for before students are permitted to leave the examination room.

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• The exam will cover:

Chapter 1Chapter 2 (p. 13-27, 31-32; not multifactor studies; multiple choice questions only)Chapter 3Chapter 4All material discussed in class since the start of term.

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1. I have additional office hours scheduled today in preparation for the exam:

When? 2:00-3:30Where? Kenny 3102

Reminders

2. I will hold an optional exam review session today:

When? 5:30-6:30Where? Kenny 2101

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1. Peer mentor program: Criterion (i.e., predictive) validity?

Questions

2. Handouts?

A little R&R ….(Review and Reflect)

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Analysis of the Personality of a Serial Killer: Jeffrey Dahmer

Discussion Questions

1.You are a psychologist who wants to determine if childhood neglect increases the likelihood of developing antisocial PD in adulthood. What research method(s) would you use? Why?

2. As a psychologist, how would you measure psychopathy? How would you assess the reliability and validity of your measure?

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Discussion Questions, continued

3. Which of Eysenck’s personality types best describes Dahmer? Explain.

4. Speculate on Dahmer’s scores on Wiggins’ interpersonal circle.

5. Can a diathesis-stress model be used to explain the onset of Dahmer’s murderous behaviour?

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Discussion Questions, continued

6. Which, if any, PDs (e.g., schizoid, antisocial, avoidant, narcissistic, histrionic, obsessive-compulsive) do you think Dahmer could have been diagnosed with?

7. Was Dahmer a psychopath? Explain.

8. Apply the Five Factor Model of Personality Dysfunction to Dahmer’s personality. Can any of Dahmer’s seemingly maladaptive traits be described in positive terms?

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Contemporary Measures of Psychopathy:

1. Psychopathic Personality Inventory Revised (PPI-R)

Self-report measure.

154 items, scored with a 4-point scale ranging from 1 (false) to 4 (true).

8 subscales: Machiavellian egocentricity, social potency, fearlessness, coldheartedness, impulse nonconformity, blame externalization, carefree nonplanfulness, and stress immunity.

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2. Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)

Used by trained clinicians.

Assesses 20 symptoms associated with psychopathy. Each symptom is scored from 0 – 2 (0 = definitely does not apply to the person, 2 = definitely does apply to the person).

Consists of 2 factors: behavioural features and affective/interpersonal features.

Maximum score: 40. A score of 30 is indicative of the presence of psychopathy.

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Behavioural features: Parasitic lifestyle, poor behavioural control, promiscuous sexual behaviour, early behaviour problems, lack of realistic long-term goals, impulsivity, irresponsibility, failure to accept responsibility for actions, juvenile delinquency, criminal versatility.

Affective/interpersonal features: Glibness/superficial charm, grandiose sense of self-worth, need for stimulation/proneness to boredom, pathological lying, manipulative, lack of remorse or guilt, shallow affect, callous/lack of empathy.

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Antisocial PD vs. psychopathy:

Psychology 305 14

Personality Types Derived from Eysenck’s Taxonomy

Emotionally Stable Emotionally Unstable

Introvert PassiveThoughtfulPeaceful AControlledReliableCalm

QuietPessimisticUnsociable BMoodyAnxiousReserved

Extravert SociableOutgoingTalkative CResponsiveEasygoingCarefree

ActiveOptimisticImpulsive DExcitableAggressiveRestless

A = Phlegmatic; B = Melancholic; C = Sanguine; D = Choleric

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Psychology 305 15

Wiggins’ Interpersonal Circle

Warm-agreeable

Cold-hearted

Unassured-submissive

Assured-dominant

Aloof-introverted

Unassuming-ingenuous

Gregarious-extraverted

Arrogant-calculating

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Antisocial PD:

A pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, occurring since 15, as indicated by 3 or more of the following:

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Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors, as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest.

Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure.

Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead. Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated

physical fights or assaults. Reckless disregard for safety of self or others. Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated

failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations.

Indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.

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Schizoid PD:

A pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts. Manifest in 4 or more of the following:

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Neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family.

Almost always chooses solitary activities. Has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person. Takes pleasure in few, if any, activities. Lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree

relatives. Appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others. Shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity.

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Avoidant PD:

A pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation as indicated by 4 or more of the following:

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Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection. Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked. Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed. Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations. Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy. Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others. Is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage

in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing.

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Normal vs. “Abnormal”

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