What is personality
a distinctive and stable pattern of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
Uniqueness - Explains differences in people’s thoughts, feelings, & actions.
Widespread, long lasting and has predictable effects across situations and time
Consistency - across situations & over time
What types of things can personality predict
Personality predicts
– Educational attainment
– Occupational outcomes
– Likelihood of Divorce
– Mortality
What are the big five personality traits
Conscientiousness
Agreeableness
Neuroticism
Openness
Extraversion
Conscientiousness
High in Conscientiousness
Competent, efficient, Orderly, precise, organized, Dutiful, follows rules Self-Disciplined, Achievement, Deliberate, goal-directed.
Low in Conscientiousness
Inefficient, Disorganized, Irresponsible, ignore rules, Uncontrolled, unfocused, Impulsive,
Agreeableness
High in Agreeableness
Trusting
* Straightforward
* Altruistic, generous
* Compliant
* Modest
* Tender-minded
Low in Agreeableness
Suspicious, skeptical
* Hidden Agendas?
* Selfish
* Resistant, antagonistic
* Braggart
* Ruthless, cruel
Neuroticism
High Neuroticism
Anxious, insecure, vulnerable
* Emotional Instability: Angry,
Depressed, Hostile
* Self-conscious
* Impulsive
Low Neuroticism
Relaxed, Robust, secure
* Emotional Stability:
Happy, Contented, Calm
* Self-assured
* Thoughtful
Openness
High Openness
Fantasy prone, Imaginative,
artistic
* Independent, unconventional
* Curious new/different ideas,
values, beliefs, & behaviours
* Intellectual Explore
Low openness
See the world as it is, no
need to imagine things
* Conform, predictable
* Focused ideas, values,
beliefs, & habits
Extraversion
High Extraversion
Gregarious, sociable
* Warm, Affectionate
* Assertive, dominant
* Active (esp. in groups)
* Excitement seeking
* Positive Emotionality
Low extraversion
Quiet, shy
* Reserved, distance
* Submissive, listener
* Solo Activities
* Content w reg. activity
* Neutral, non-expressive
Situational Moderation
Certain Situations: Suppress trait expressions
Strong Situations → personality is suppressed (Funerals)
Weak Situations → personality is unconstrained
Certain Situations: Extract / demand certain Trait responses
Walter Mischel
Opposed: broad personality conclusions → various situations
– Argued for: underlying social-cognitive processes →
interpretation & responses which varied depending upon
specific situational triggers
Seymour Epstein
Principle of Aggregation – look for common response patterns
across a wide variety of situations and times (as opposed to
situation-specific responses)
Personality traits of a fully functional person
- Open to experience: accept pos & neg emotions. Neg feelings are not denied, but worked through
- Existential living: avoid preconceptions; live & fully
appreciate the present, not in the past or future - Trust feelings: feelings, instincts & gut-reactions trusted; trust oneself to make the right choices
- Creativity: creative thinking & risk taking are features of life; ability to adjust & change and seek new experiences
- Fulfilled life: person is happy & satisfied
What does the marshmallow test measure
Self-control / delay of gratification
