Personality (Chapter 17) Second Lecture Outline : Cognitive-behavioral paradigm Traits “Big Five” personality constructs

How would you describe your personality to someone? Please write down three traits you are high and low on

Cognitive-Behavioral n Skinner: Personality shaped by reinforcement history n Rotter: Meaning is given to environmental events –Social learning is important to personality –Internal vs. external locus of control n Bandura: Personality X environment –school motivation, parent reinforcement, go to college, achieve in work world

Schemas n Self-schemas: Cognitive frameworks or knowledge about self serve as personality framework: What are you? n Elaborate self-schemas is related to introspectiveness and private self- consciousness n Overly elaborate self-schemas could reflect narcissism or ruminative self- absorbed anxiety

Personal Constructs: Kelly n Persoanality can be viewed in bipolar constructs n On what dimensions do you judge people? –Happy vs. Sad –Socially entertaining vs. “wet blanket” –Trustworthy vs. Liar n People create their own dimensions to view the world: Idiographic methods

Trait theory n Nomothetic methods: Everyone has a set of common traits they can be judged on n Trait: A consistent attribute that characterizes what a person is like n Surface vs. Source traits: 16 PF n Empirical approach of factor analysis: Grouping similar behaviors or surface traits to determine source traits

I am sad I have trouble sleeping I feel guilty Sex doesn’t matter My energy is gone Depression I am worthless

A small number of constructs A small number of constructs n Eysenck: Three constructs dominate –Extroversion: Social, gregarious –Neuroticism: Moody, irritable –Psychoticism: Uncaring, detached n “Big Five”: –Neuroticism and Extroversion –Openness: Imaginative, curious –Agreeableness: Good-natured, friendly –Conscientiousness: Hard-working, reliable

Personality profiles Hysteria Depression Hypochondriasis Psychopathy Androgeny Paranoia Psychasthenia Schizophrenia Mania

Other traits n Sensation-seeking: Thrill seeking, sexually adventuresome, exotic foods, drug/alcohol use, addictive personality –Climb a mountain, eat jalapeno’s, drink vodka, play poker, and have an orgy n Self-esteem: Personal worth is a component of personality n Cognitive style: Can you see multiple perspectives? This helps with coping

Validity Scales n Lie scale: Are they paying attention n Examples: n “I breath every day”. n “I have never brushed my teeth”. n “Sometimes I have seen a truck” n “There is blood flowing ou of my ears” n Social desirability: Do they want to be seen favourably n Examples: n “I read the newspaper editorials every day” n “I always give to charities” n “I like everyone I know” n “I never lie”

Interactionist Approach: Mischel Personal traits Situation Observed Behavior