Personality: Chapter 11Samuel R. Mathews, Ph.D.

The Department of Psychology

The University of West Florida

Personality

“…the thread of consistency that runs through our lives (Cervone & Shoda, 1999)” cited in Zimbardo et al. (2006, pg. 444).

Theoretical Approaches to Understanding Personality

• Psychoanalytic– Unconscious forces and drives– Past experiences, particularly early

attachments– Sigmund Freud

Theoretical Approaches to Understanding Personality

• Humanistic– Individual interpretations of experiences– Relationships with significant others– Carl Rogers

Theoretical Approaches to Understanding Personality

• Social Cognitive– Learning-based, particularly from significant

role models through observational learning– Individual interpretations of experiences,

particularly experiences involving social interactions

– Perceptions of one’s own ability to affect change (perceived self efficacy)

– Bandura

Personality: State or Trait

• State: relatively transient attribute of the individual

• Trait: relatively stable and permanent attribute of the individual

Personality: State or Trait

• Temperament: early manifestation of personality– Linked to both genetic predisposition and

environmental response to that disposition– Family of origin’s reactions can moderate

impact even during early infancy– Some elements of state and trait theory in

personality

“Big Five” Traits• Openness to experience: Breadth, Complexity,

and depth of an individual’s life (closed minded)

• Conscientiousness : Impulse control, goal directed behavior (carelessness)

• Extraversion : activity and energy level traits, sociability and emotional expressiveness. (introverted)

“Big Five” Traits

• Agreeableness: altruism, trust, modesty, prosocial attitudes. (negativity)

• Neuroticism : emotional stability, anxiety, sadness, and irritability (unstable, anxious)

• Assessment is frequently conducted with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI—2) with 10 Clinical Scales

Alternative to Trait Theories

o Problems—Trait theories portray personality as a static system rather than a system that reflects a true bio-psycho-social system capable of change

Alternatives to Trait Theories

o Social Cognitive Theory o Allows for flexibility within a wide range based on

environmental forces and one’s temperament

o Mischel’s Person-Situation Argument:o Personality Traits tend to surface and are consistent

when situational cues are inconsistent or weak

Cultural Issues and Personality

• Individualism and Collectivism

• One’s status within a culture (economic, sex, age)

• Locus of control (sense that one is in control of outcomes)

• Relationship between thoughts and feelings

Personality

• Personality is relatively stable but not unchangeable

• Bio-psycho-social perspective provides the most far-reaching explanation