Hour 2 - How can personality be structured in terms of traits and how can traits be assessed? Personality II Structured tests MMPI, CPI, Q-Sort, etc. Trait theories Surface traits and source traits Cattell’s profile Eyesenck’s scheme The “Big Five”
Examples of structured tests developed for use with a clinical population. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Examples of structured tests developed for use with a normal population. California Personality Inventory (CPI) Q Sort
Clinically significant range Hypochondriasis (concern with body symptoms) Depression (pessimism, hopelessness) Hysteria (uses symptoms to solve problems) Psychopathic deviancy (disregard for social standards) Paranoia (delusions, suspiciousness ) Psychasthenia (worried, guilt feelings) Schizophrenia (withdrawn, bizarre thoughts) Hypomania (overactive, excited,impulsive) Social introversion (shy, inhibited) Standard score Before treatment After treatment Example of a MMPI-2 test profile of a depressed patient before and after treatment:
Surface behaviors Argues a lot with friends Vigorously defends unpopular positions in class discus- sions Writes scathing letters to the news- paper editor Surface traits “Argumentativeness”“Belligerence”“Competitiveness” Source trait “Aggressiveness”
LowHigh Emotionally stable Warm Intelligent Dominant Cheerful Conscientious Bold Sensitive Suspicious Imaginative Shrewd Guilt prone Experimenting Self-sufficient Self-disciplined Tense
Touchy Restless Aggressive Excitable Changeable Impulsive Optimistic Active Sociable Outgoing Talkative Responsive Easygoing Lively Carefree Leadership Moody Anxious Rigid Sober Pessimistic Unreserved Unsociable Quiet Passive Careful Thoughtful Peaceful Controlled Reliable Even-tempered Calm UNSTABLE STABLE INTROVERTED EXTROVERTED See also Gleitman, p. 599.
Physiological basis of extroversion-introversion Optimal level Introvert lowhigh Degree of environmental stimulation Degree of nervous system arousal Extrovert
penness to experience Imaginative vs. practical Preference for variety vs. preference for routine Independent vs. conforming onscientiousness xtroversion greeableness euroticism Organized vs. disorganized Careful vs. careless Disciplined vs. impulsive Sociable vs. retiring Fun-loving vs. sober Affectionate vs. reserved Soft-hearted vs. ruthless Trusting vs. suspicious Helpful vs. uncooperative Trait- source traits Description- surface traits The “Big Five” ( See Gleitman, p ) O C E A N Calm vs. anxious Secure vs. insecure Self-satisfied vs. self-pitying