Note Notes online Mini-Quizzes What is a trait of personality? A “unit” of measurement Allport presents 8 Criteria that define a personality trait

Note

• Notes online

• Mini-Quizzes

What is a trait of personality?

• A “unit” of measurement

• Allport presents 8 Criteria that define a personality trait

Traits

• 1) A trait has more than nominal existence

• Traits are real!

Traits

• 2) A trait is more generalized than a behavior

lie steal

cheat

Traits


lie steal

cheatHonesty

Traits


– There are systems of behaviors

– Traits my embrace anywhere between 2 to hundreds of behaviors

Traits

• 3) A trait is dynamic

• A trait CAUSES behavior, it is not just a summary of behavior

lie steal

cheatHonesty

YES!

Traits

• 3) A trait is dynamic

• A trait CAUSES behavior, it is not just a summary of behavior

lie steal

cheatHonesty

NO!

Traits

• 4) The existence of a trait my be established empirically or statistically

• Statistical techniques can be used to examine coherence among behaviors

Traits

• 5) Traits are only relatively independent of each other

• It will be difficult to isolate “fundamental” traits that are completely independent of each other

Traits

• 6) A trait of personality, psychologically considered, is not the same as a moral quality.

Traits

• 7) Acts, and even habits, that are inconsistent with a trait are not proof of the non-existence of the trait

• Not realistic to expect perfect consistency– Some traits not important in some people– Traits interact with each other within a person– Context also determines behavior

Traits

• 8) A trait may be viewed either in the light of the personality which contains it, or in the light of its distribution in the population at large.

• Some traits are unique and some are universal

• Can examine either– Universal traits across people– Unique blends of traits within a person

Using Traits to Understand Behavior

• Different approaches:

• The Single-Trait Approach

• The Many-Trait Approach

• The Essential-Trait Approach

• The Simultaneous-Trait Approach

The Single Trait Approach

• An in-depth research program of a single trait

Questionnaire

Add score

• Reverse key• 2,4,6,8,10,12,14

Authoritarianism

• Historical context– Nazi Germany

• Philosophical roots– Fromm

• To avoid choices people turn their will over to external authorities

• “I am just following orders”

• In the 1930s created the “F – Scale”

Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism

Conventionalism

Authoritarianism

Conventionalism Authoritarian submission

Authoritarianism


Authoritarian aggression

Authoritarianism



Anti – ‘intraception”

Authoritarianism




Superstition

Authoritarianism


Power and toughness



Superstition

Authoritarianism


Destructiveness and cynicism

Power and toughness



Superstition

Authoritarianism


Projectivity


Power and toughness



Superstition

Authoritarianism


Sexual repression

Projectivity


Power and toughness



Superstition

Authoritarianism

• Note how this trait ties together many diverse behaviors

• Also note how it can explain inconsistencies in behavior– A person VERY respectful to a superior may

be cruel to those who rank lower

Authoritarianism

• Over 4,000 articles on this trait!

• Findings:• No relation between authoritarianism and

political party (note: communism findings)

• Note: not conservatism, but pseudoconservatism– e.g., taxes abolished, no trials, etc.

Authoritarianism

Findings:

• Society is in turmoil, authoritarians more likely to support “strong” political candidates

• When standard of living declines authoritarians more likely to favor restrictions of welfare and bans on abortion

Authoritarianism

Roots:

• Child-rearing practices– Regularly and severely punished– Learn to fear, obey, and be unquestioning of authority

• Genetic– Biological siblings = .35– Adopted siblings = .05

Questionnaire

Say

• “I am going out now, I won’t be back all day. If anyone comes by, just tell them I’m not here”

• Happy

• Sad

• Mad

Self-Monitoring

• How much do “monitor” your social setting and alter your behaviors accordingly

• High SM – Monitor every situation– Look for cues how to act, alter behavior

• Low SM– Consistent behavior regardless of situation

Self-Monitoring

• Findings:

• Actors tend to be high self-monitors– Mental patients tend to be low

• High SM interview better for jobs• High SM more likely to lie to go on dates• Jokes with a laugh track• Masturbate more often (r = .50; only for women)

The Many-Trait Approach

• Examine many traits simultaneously to determine what type of person tends to perform certain behaviors


• Commonly use the California Q-Sort– Forces you to compare traits to each other

• Rank order• Healthy• Wealthy• Wise

Findings of the Many-Trait Approach

• 64 undergraduates completed the SM scale

• Friends and family q-sorted the subjects

Self-Monitoring

• High SM

• Skilled in social techniques• Talkative• Self-dramatizing• Initiates humor• Verbally fluent• Expressive in face• Has social poise and presence

Self-Monitoring

• Low Self Monitors

• Distrustful• Perfectionist• Touchy and irritable• Anxious• Introspective• Independent

Findings of the Many-Trait Approach

• Drug use and adolescent health– Shedler & Block, 1990

• 101 subjects

• Age 11 – parents completed a q-sort

• Age 18 – Drug usage measured– Abstainers, experimenters, frequent users

Abst. Exp. Freq.

1. Prefers nonverbal methods of communication. 4.6 4.5 5.1*

3. Is warm and responsive. 5.3** 6.2 5.2**

6. Is helpful and cooperative. 7 7.2 6.5**

8. Tends to keep thoughts, feelings, or products to self.

5.6* 4.7 5.3

13. Characteristically pushes and tries to stretch limits.

3.0* 3.6 4.2

14. Is eager to please. 6 6.1 5.3**

21. Tries to be the center of attention. 3.1** 3.8 3.9

23. Is fearful and anxious. 4.5*** 3.3 4

25. Uses and responds to reason. 7.3** 6.6 6.5

26. Is physically active. 5.2** 5.9 5.7

Abst. Exp. Freq.

27. Is visibly deviant from peers in physical appearance.

3.3 3 3.7**

28. Is vital, energetic, lively. 4.9** 5.9 5.2

30. Tends to arouse liking and acceptance in adults. 6.1 6.5 5.9*

34. Is restless and fidgety. 3.7*** 4.6 5.1

35. Is inhibited and constricted. 5.1** 3.9 4.4

37. Likes to compete; tests and compares self with others.

4.1** 4.5 4.6

39. Becomes rigidly repetitive or immobilized under stress.

4.2* 3.5 4.2*

40. Is curious, eager to learn, open to new experiences.

5.4*** 6.4 5.7*

41. Is persistent in activities; does not give up easily. 5.9 5.6 5.1*

42. Is an interesting, arresting child. 5.1** 5.8 5.1*

Abst. Exp. Freq.

45. Tends to withdraw and disengage when under stress.

5.0* 4.2 5.2**

47. Has high standards of performance for self. 6.1 5.9 5.1**

52. Is physically cautious. 5.1*** 4 4.5

54. Has rapid shifts in mood; is emotionally labile. 3.5 3.4 4.2**

59. Is neat and orderly in dress and behavior. 6.5*** 5.5 5.2

60. Becomes anxious in unpredictable environment. 4.9** 4 4.8*

62. Is obedient and compliant. 6.5* 5.8 5.6

63. Has a rapid personal tempo; reacts and moves quickly.

4.2** 5 4.6

64. Is calm and relaxed, easy-going. 5.0* 5.6 5.2


• Note: What this study is not saying– To interpret the meaning of these traits need

to also interpret the context of the study

• How many adjectives can you use to describe a person?

• Try it!

The Essential-Trait Approach

• Odbert and Allport found over 4,500 adjectives that describe personality traits– 17,953 adjectives overall (but some were not traits)

• Are all of these really independent of each other?

• Essential Approach tries to find how many and which traits are essential

The Big Five:History

• Allport and Odbert (1936)– 17,953 trait terms

• Cattell (1943)– Factor analysis finds 35

clusters

• Fiske (1949)– Factor analysis results in 5

factors

• Tupes & Christal (1961)– Replicate Fiske

• Norman (1963) replicates Tupes & Christal, and writes a review about these “big five” traits– Surgency (extraversion)– Agreeableness– Conscientiousness– Emotional stability– Culture

Essential Trait

• Big-Five Inventory

E1, 11, 16, 26, 36 R 6, 21, 31

A7, 17, 22, 32, 42 R 2,12, 27, 37

C3, 13, 28, 33, 38 R 8, 18, 23, 43

N4, 14, 19, 29, 39 R 9, 24, 34

O5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 44 R 35, 41

R1 = 52 = 43 = 34 = 25 = 1

Agreeableness

Trust

Straightforwardness

Altruism

Compliance

Modesty

Tender-mindedness

Obi-Wan Kenobi -- This loyal, kind, and honorable young Jedi is a good man.

Emperor Palpatine -- An evil, power hungry tyrant, he is manipulative, evil, and ruthless.

Extraversion

Warmth

Gregariousness

Assertiveness

Activity

Excitement seeking

Positive emotions

Lando Calrissian -- An energetic, sociable man. He is adventure seeking, talkative, and socially skilled.

Wampas -- reclusive creatures of the ice planet Hoth. They are rarely seen & generally shy, leading a solitary existence

Conscientiousness

Competence

Order

Dutifulness

Achievement striving

Self-discipline

Deliberation

Admiral Ackbar -- This rebel Admiral is renowned for his great powers of organization, responsibility, and administrative abilities. He is individual who can be relied upon.

Han Solo -- This disheveled and scruffy smuggler leads a reckless and haphazard life, with little respect for rules and procedures.

Neuroticism

Anxiety

Angry hostility

Depression

Self-consciousness

Impulsiveness

Vulnerability

Princess Leia -- A confident & calm individual who does not crack under pressure (e.g.,. when being threatened by Lord Vader). She is brave and relaxed, even when in great danger (e.g., when disguising herself as a bounty hunter to gain access to Jabba the Hutt’s palace).

Tusken warriors -- These inhabitants of Tatooine are unpredictable, temperamental, and excitable, and known to be especially moody.

Openness to Experience

Fantasy

Aesthetics

Feelings

Actions

Ideas

Values

Yoda -- This wise, philosophical, and thoughtful Jedi master challenges the establishment, encouraging his pupils to unlearn what they have learned and see the world in novel, creative ways.

C-3PO -- This droid versed in political protocol of thousands of cultures is governed by rules and prefers not to meddle with the ways and traditions of his hosts.

The Big Five

• Also known as the Five-Factor Model

• Extraversion• Agreeableness• Conscientiousness• Neuroticism• Openness to Experience

• OCEAN

Example

• Preadolscent girls and risk behavior– Markey, Markey, and Tinsley 2003

• Subjects were 160 girls– 5th grade mothers completed BFI and girls

pubertal development was assessed– 6th grade girls reported engagement in risky

behaviors• e.g., smoking, drinking, deep kissing, etc.

Results

Puberty .29

Extraversion .10

Agreeableness -.38

Conscientiousness -.42

Neuroticism .03

Openness -.04

Results

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

1 2 3

Openness to Experience

Ris

k B

ehav

ior

Early Puberty Risk = .44 (Open) + .54

Average Puberty Risk = -.01 (Open) + .41

Late PubertyRisk = -.25 (Open) + .28

Low Average High

Results

• Demonstrates predictive power of the Big-5

• Demonstrate show traits can interact with other elements (e.g., pubertal development) to create different behaviors







The Simultaneous-Trait Approach

• Trait approaches tend to be “one-dimensional”

• They only consider one trait at a time

• “He is extraverted”• Pro: Simple and automatic• Con: Not all extraverts act the same


• An “extraverted” and “agreeable” person

• An “extraverted” and “disagreeable” person


• An “extraverted” and “agreeable” person– Warm

• An “extraverted” and “disagreeable” person– Controlling


• This approach examines how traits “blend” together within an individual

The Interpersonal Sphere

• Ask yourself:• High (+)• Moderate (0)• Low (-)

– How dominant are you?– How warm are you?

Interpersonal Circumplex

WarmCold

- 0 +


Dominant

Submissive

+

0

-


WarmCold

Dominant

Submissive

The Interpersonal Circumplex

Do

mina

nce

Warmth

Gregarious-Extraverted

(NO)45

o

Arrogant-Calculating

(BC)135

o

Aloof-Introverted

(FG)225

oUnassured-Submissive

(HI)270

o

Unassuming-Ingenuous

(JK)315

o

Warm-Agreeable

(LM) 0

o

Cold-Hearted

(DE)180

o

Assured-Dominant

(PA)90

o

0e

0e


Do

mina

nce

Warmth


(NO)45

o


(BC)135

o

Aloof-Introverted

(FG)225


(HI)270

o


(JK)315

o

Warm-Agreeable

(LM) 0

o

Cold-Hearted

(DE)180

o

Assured-Dominant

(PA)90

o

0e

0e

IPIP-IPC

• Warm-Agreeable

– Am interested in people.– Reassure others.– Inquire about others’ well-being.– Get along well with others.

Do

mina

nce

Warmth


(NO)45

o


(BC)135

o

Aloof-Introverted

(FG)225


(HI)270

o


(JK)315

o

Warm-Agreeable

(LM) 0

o

Cold-Hearted

(DE)180

o

Assured-Dominant

(PA)90

o

0e

0e

Markey & Markey, 2009

IPIP-IPC

• Gregarious-Extraverted

– Start conversations.– Love large parties.– Feel comfortable around people.– Talk to a lot of different.

Do

mina

nce

Warmth


(NO)45

o


(BC)135

o

Aloof-Introverted

(FG)225


(HI)270

o


(JK)315

o

Warm-Agreeable

(LM) 0

o

Cold-Hearted

(DE)180

o

Assured-Dominant

(PA)90

o

0e

0e


IPIP-IPC

• Assured-Dominant

– Do most of the talking.– Demand to be the center of

attention.– Speak loudly.– Demand attention.

Do

mina

nce

Warmth


(NO)45

o


(BC)135

o

Aloof-Introverted

(FG)225


(HI)270

o


(JK)315

o

Warm-Agreeable

(LM) 0

o

Cold-Hearted

(DE)180

o

Assured-Dominant

(PA)90

o

0e

0e


IPIP-IPC

• Arrogant-Calculating

– Cut others to pieces.– Contradict others.– Snap at people.– Have a sharp tongue.

Do

mina

nce

Warmth


(NO)45

o


(BC)135

o

Aloof-Introverted

(FG)225


(HI)270

o


(JK)315

o

Warm-Agreeable

(LM) 0

o

Cold-Hearted

(DE)180

o

Assured-Dominant

(PA)90

o

0e

0e


IPIP-IPC

• Cold-Hearted

– Believe people should fend for themselves.

– Don’t fall for sob-stories.– Don’t put a lot of thought into

things.– Am not interested in other people’s

problems.

Do

mina

nce

Warmth


(NO)45

o


(BC)135

o

Aloof-Introverted

(FG)225


(HI)270

o


(JK)315

o

Warm-Agreeable

(LM) 0

o

Cold-Hearted

(DE)180

o

Assured-Dominant

(PA)90

o

0e

0e


IPIP-IPC

• Aloof-Introverted

– Am a very private person.– Don’t talk a lot.– Have little to say.– Am quiet around strangers.

Do

mina

nce

Warmth


(NO)45

o


(BC)135

o

Aloof-Introverted

(FG)225


(HI)270

o


(JK)315

o

Warm-Agreeable

(LM) 0

o

Cold-Hearted

(DE)180

o

Assured-Dominant

(PA)90

o

0e

0e


IPIP-IPC

• Unassured-Submissive

– Dislike being the center of attention.– Let others finish what they are

saying.– Speak softly.– Seldom toot my own horn.

Do

mina

nce

Warmth


(NO)45

o


(BC)135

o

Aloof-Introverted

(FG)225


(HI)270

o


(JK)315

o

Warm-Agreeable

(LM) 0

o

Cold-Hearted

(DE)180

o

Assured-Dominant

(PA)90

o

0e

0e


IPIP-IPC

• Unassuming-Ingenuous

– Tolerate a lot from others.– Take things as they come.– Seldom stretch the truth.– Think of others first.

Do

mina

nce

Warmth


(NO)45

o


(BC)135

o

Aloof-Introverted

(FG)225


(HI)270

o


(JK)315

o

Warm-Agreeable

(LM) 0

o

Cold-Hearted

(DE)180

o

Assured-Dominant

(PA)90

o

0e

0e



• The IPC can help us understand sex – well at least who does it the most!


0e

0e

Extraversion

Do

mina

nce Warmth

Agree

able

ness


Warm-Agreeable


Unassured-Submissive

Aloof-Introverted

Cold-Hearted


Assured-Dominant

0e

0e

Extraversion

Do

mina

nce Warmth

Agree

ablen

ess


Warm-Agreeable


Unassured-Submissive

Aloof-Introverted

Cold-Hearted


Assured-Dominant

Sex

• "Sex is a conversation carried out by other means.”

• "Sex with love is the greatest thing in life. But sex without love -- that's not so bad either."

Sex and Personality

• What accounts for different people’s willingness (or lack thereof) to engage in sexual relations with multiple partners?

• Who has multiple partners?– High Extraversion– Low Agreeablness

Method

• Participates– 210 participants

• 105 men and 105 women

• Measures– IAS

– Sexual promiscuity (different levels of intimacy)• 1) One minute continuous lip kissing• 2) Manual manipulation of nude partner’s genitals• 3) Oral manipulation of nude partner’s genitals• 4) Sexual intercourse

Results

• 1) Men reported more partners for:• 1) One minute continuous lip kissing• 2) Manual manipulation of nude partner’s genitals• 3) Oral manipulation of nude partner’s genitals• 4) Sexual intercourse

Results

• 2) For both males and females dominance was positively related to:

• 1) One minute continuous lip kissing• 2) Manual manipulation of nude partner’s genitals• 3) Oral manipulation of nude partner’s genitals• 4) Sexual intercourse

Results

• 3) Warmth had a quadratic relationship with:

• 1) One minute continuous lip kissing• 2) Manual manipulation of nude partner’s genitals• 3) Oral manipulation of nude partner’s genitals• 4) Sexual intercourse

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

Warmth

Nu

mb

er o

f p

art

ner

s

One minute continuous lip kissing

Manual manipulation of nude partner’s genitals

Oral manipulation of nude partner’s genitals

Sexual intercourse

Figure 4 Graphical representations of regression equations predicting the number of sexual partners women would have who are well defined (i.e., VL = 1.50) by an IPC octant.

0

4

8

12

16

20PA

NO

LM

JK

HI

FG

DE

BC

Nu

mb

er o

f P

artn

ers

0

2

4

6PA

NO

LM

JK

HI

FG

DE

BC

Nu

mb

er o

f P

artn

ers

0

2

4

6PA

NO

LM

JK

HI

FG

DE

BC

Nu

mb

er o

f P

artn

ers

0

2

4

6

8PA

NO

LM

JK

HI

FG

DE

BC

Nu

mb

er o

f P

artn

ers

Note: Underlined values indicate a significant (p < .05) regression weight.

One minute continuous lip kissing Manual manipulation of nude partner’s genitals

Oral manipulation of nude partner’s genitals Sexual intercourse

Number of partners = 9.28 + 2.38 (Sex) + 4.08 (Dom) - 1.40 (Warm) + 1.60 (Warm2) Number of partners = 2.43 + 3.60 (Sex) + 1.64 (Dom) - .14 (Warm) + 1.01 (Warm2)

Number of partners = 2.15 + 2.73 (Sex) + 1.21 (Dom) - .41 (Warm) + .72 (Warm2) Number of partners = 2.82 + 2.70 (Sex) + 1.20 (Dom) - .51 (Warm) + .70(Warm2)

Conclusion

• Personality is a unique “blend” of traits

• Like chemistry’s periodic table– Elements do not exist in a vacuum– Combine together!

• H20, NH3, CO2, etc.







Documents

Note Notes online Mini-Quizzes What is a trait of personality? A “unit” of measurement Allport presents 8 Criteria that define a personality trait