Introduction to Psychology Unit 8: Personality Instructor: Sara Barnett

Warm-Up Questions How would you describe your personality? How would you describe your personality? Is your description similar to how others would describe you? Is your description similar to how others would describe you? Is there anything about your personality that has changed over time? Is there anything about your personality that has changed over time? What led to this change? What led to this change?

Announcements Incomplete Grades (Incompletes are granted at the start of next week. Students must have completed at least 75% of the course work and average a “C” or higher in order to receive an “Incomplete” Incomplete Grades (Incompletes are granted at the start of next week. Students must have completed at least 75% of the course work and average a “C” or higher in order to receive an “Incomplete” If you have any questions, comments, or concerns as we head towards the end of the semester, please do not hesitate to contact me! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns as we head towards the end of the semester, please do not hesitate to contact me! Grab a pencil/pen and piece of paper for this seminar! Grab a pencil/pen and piece of paper for this seminar!

Personality Personality – A relatively stable pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving that distinguishes one person from another Personality – A relatively stable pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving that distinguishes one person from another

The Basis of Personality Is the basis of personality genetic or environmental? Is the basis of personality genetic or environmental? Can you think of parts of your personality that have resulted from your environment, and others that seem to be inherent? Can you think of parts of your personality that have resulted from your environment, and others that seem to be inherent?

Identical Twin Studies In 1979, Thomas Bouchard began to study twins who were separated at birth and raised in different families. He found that an identical twin reared away from his or her co-twin seems to have about an equal chance of being similar to the co-twin in terms of personality, interests, and attitudes as one who has been reared with his or her co-twin. In 1979, Thomas Bouchard began to study twins who were separated at birth and raised in different families. He found that an identical twin reared away from his or her co-twin seems to have about an equal chance of being similar to the co-twin in terms of personality, interests, and attitudes as one who has been reared with his or her co-twin.Thomas BouchardThomas Bouchard

The Twin Jims In particular, Bouchard studied the personalities and attitudes of the twin Jims – identical twins separated at birth and reunited 39 years later - and the resulting similarities were again astonishing In particular, Bouchard studied the personalities and attitudes of the twin Jims – identical twins separated at birth and reunited 39 years later - and the resulting similarities were again astonishingPERSONALITY: - In one test which measured personality variables (tolerance, conformity, flexibility), the twins' scores were so close that they approximated the averaging of the totals of one person taking the test twice. BRAIN BEHAVIOR, INTELLIGENCE, and PHYSIOLOGY: - Brain wave tests produced skyline-like graphs looking like 2 views of the same city. - Intelligence tests, mental abilities, gestures, voice tones, likes and dislikes, were similar as well. - So were medical histories: both had high blood pressure, both had experienced what they thought were heart attacks, both had undergone vasectomies, and both suffered from migrane headaches. They even used the same words to describe these headaches. Source: (

Self-Inventory Reports Self-Inventory Report Self-Inventory Report - Psychological test in which participants answer questions about themselves (Ex: I am nervous when I speak to a large group of people) Example of a Self-Inventory Report Example of a Self-Inventory Report - Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2): Most widely-used self-report personality inventory; assesses for major psychological disorders/problem areas of functioning; 567-item test that takes about 1 hour to complete (hypochondria, depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviation, masculinity/femininity, paranoia, psychasthenia, schizophrenia, hypomania, social introversion, etc).

Projective Projective Tests Projective Tests - Unstructured and subjective as compared to the self- report inventories; shown an ambiguous image and told to label it/tell a story Examples of a projective test Examples of a projective test - Rorschach inkblot test - Make up stories about pictures - Draw - Complete sentences such as, “I think other people…”

Trait Theory of Personality Trait – A summary term that describes the tendency to behave, feel, and think in ways that are consistent across different situations Trait – A summary term that describes the tendency to behave, feel, and think in ways that are consistent across different situations We evaluate personality based on traits, as those tend to remain consistent across the lifespan, though they can change when necessary and when the person is open to change We evaluate personality based on traits, as those tend to remain consistent across the lifespan, though they can change when necessary and when the person is open to change The “Big Five” traits are thought to appear across age, gender, race, language, and culture The “Big Five” traits are thought to appear across age, gender, race, language, and culture

Self-Inventory Report Example: The “Big Five” Mini Test 1 – Not true of Me 2 – Mostly Not True of Me 3 – Neither true nor untrue of Me 4 – Somewhat true5 – Very True 1. imaginative2. organized3. talkative 4. sympathetic5. tense6. intelligent 7. thorough 8. assertive9. kind 10. anxious 11. original12. efficient 13. active14. soft-hearted15. nervous 16. insightful17. responsible18. energetic 19. warm20. worrying 21. clever 22. practical 23. outgoing24. generous 25. self-pitying

Scoring the “Big Five” Mini Test To score your test, create 5 different totals/sums: 1) Add answers to Questions 1, 6, 11, 16, 21 2) Add answers to Questions 2, 7, 12, 17, 22 3) Add answers to Questions 3, 8, 13, 18, 23 4) Add answers to Questions 4, 9, 14, 19, 24 5) Add answers to Questions 5, 10, 15, 20, 25

Score #1 – Openness to Experience Openness is a general appreciation for: Openness is a general appreciation for: - Art - Emotion - Adventure - Unusual ideas - Imagination - Curiosity - Variety of experience. The trait distinguishes imaginative people from down-to-earth, conventional people. People who are open to experience are intellectually curious, appreciative of art, and sensitive to beauty. They tend to be, compared to closed people, more creative and more aware of their feelings. They are more likely to hold unconventional beliefs. People with low scores on openness tend to have more conventional, traditional interests. They prefer the plain, straightforward, and obvious over the complex, ambiguous, and subtle. They may regard the arts and sciences with suspicion, regarding these endeavors as uninteresting.

Score #2 - Conscientiousnes Conscientiousness is a tendency to: Conscientiousness is a tendency to: - show self-discipline - act dutifully - aim for achievement. The trait shows a preference for planned rather than spontaneous behavior. It influences the way in which we control, regulate, and direct our impulses.

Score #3 - Extraversion Extroversion is characterized by: Extroversion is characterized by: - positive emotions - the tendency to seek out stimulation and the company of others - pronounced engagement with the external world Extroverts enjoy being with people, and are often perceived as full of energy. They tend to be enthusiastic, action-oriented individuals who are likely to say "Yes!" or "Let's go!" to opportunities for excitement. In groups they like to talk, assert themselves, and draw attention to themselves. Introverts lack the social exuberance and activity levels of extroverts. They tend to seem quiet, low-key, deliberate, and less involved in the social world. Their lack of social involvement should not be interpreted as shyness or depression. Introverts simply need less stimulation than extroverts and more time alone. They may be very active and energetic, simply not socially.

Score #4 - Agreeableness Agreeableness is a tendency to be Agreeableness is a tendency to be - compassionate - cooperative - not suspicious nor antagonistic The trait reflects individual differences in general concern for social harmony. Agreeable individuals value getting along with others. They are generally considerate, friendly, generous, helpful, and willing to compromise their interests with others. Agreeable people also have an optimistic view of human nature. They believe people are basically honest, decent, and trustworthy. Disagreeable individuals place self-interest above getting along with others. They are generally unconcerned with others’ well-being, and are less likely to extend themselves for other people. Sometimes their skepticism about others’ motives causes them to be suspicious, unfriendly, and uncooperative.

Score #5 - Neuroticism Neuroticism is the tendency to Neuroticism is the tendency to - Experience negative emotions, such as anger, anxiety, or depression - Succumb to emotional instability - Those who score high in neuroticism are emotionally reactive and vulnerable to stress. They are more likely to interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult. Their negative emotional reactions tend to persist for unusually long periods of time, which means they are often in a bad mood. These problems in emotional regulation can diminish the ability of a person scoring high on neuroticism to think clearly, make decisions, and cope effectively with stress. At the other end of the scale, individuals who score low in neuroticism are less easily upset and are less emotionally reactive. They tend to be calm, emotionally stable, and free from persistent negative feelings. Freedom from negative feelings does not mean that low scorers experience a lot of positive feelings. At the other end of the scale, individuals who score low in neuroticism are less easily upset and are less emotionally reactive. They tend to be calm, emotionally stable, and free from persistent negative feelings. Freedom from negative feelings does not mean that low scorers experience a lot of positive feelings.

“Big Five” Summary How well did the “Big Five” mini-test accurately predict your personality? How well did the “Big Five” mini-test accurately predict your personality? Criticism of trait theories such as the “Big Five” Theory center on a need to explore more than just the presenting traits, but the causes and origins of these traits Criticism of trait theories such as the “Big Five” Theory center on a need to explore more than just the presenting traits, but the causes and origins of these traits

Projective Test Example – Sentence Complete “I wish people would…” “I wish people would…” “I hope that I stop…” “I hope that I stop…” “The best thing that has ever happened is… “The best thing that has ever happened is…

Projective Test Example – Inkblot Test

Inkblot Test

Freud’s Take on Personality Id – Instinct component of the personality (operates under the pleasure principal) Id – Instinct component of the personality (operates under the pleasure principal) Ego – The “reality” component of the personality (seeks to please the “Id” and bring satisfaction in the long term) Ego – The “reality” component of the personality (seeks to please the “Id” and bring satisfaction in the long term) Superego – The “policeman” component of the personality (implements ethical codes/moral decision- making) Superego – The “policeman” component of the personality (implements ethical codes/moral decision- making)

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