Correlations Small =.10 Medium =.30 Large =.50

Basic Steps 1) Create a test 2) Validate the test 3) Use the test

Validating a Test Is a test measuring what it is suppose to measure? –Not a YES or NO answer Types of Validity 1) Predictive 2) Concurrent 3) Content 4) Construct

Predictive and Concurrent Called “Criterion-orientated” validity Does the test predict some type of criterion? Predictive – criterion is in the future Concurrent – criterion is in the present

Content Validity Test items represent the entire “universe” of possible items

Group Activity What qualities does the trait of extraversion contain? –e.g., assertiveness –Come up with at least 6 qualities Create one item to measure each quality.

Content Validity Extraversion

Content Validity Extraversion Positive Emotions Gregariousness Assertiveness Activity Excitement- Seeking Warmth

Content Validity Positive Emotions Gregariousness Assertiveness Activity Excitement- Seeking Warmth Make friends easily Have a lot of fun. Love large parties Take charge. Am always busy. Love excitement.

Content Validity Not normally established empirically Established by experts in the field

Construct Validity The test actually gauges the personality dimension being measured. How can you do this? First need to determine if its internal structure is correct.

Content Validity Extraversion

Content Validity Extraversion Positive Emotions Gregariousness Assertiveness Activity Excitement- Seeking Warmth

Construct Validity Next, you need to create a “model” of the construct

Extraversion

Talking Risk taker Stimulation Reliable Eye-contact Height

Extraversion Talking Risk taker Stimulation Reliable Eye-contact Height Nomological Net Contains both *Criterion-orientated validity *Discriminant validity

Extraversion Talking Risk taker Stimulation Reliable Eye-contact Height

Construct Validity Uses all types of validity to determine if a test actually gauges the personality dimension being measured –There is actually even more than can be done to examine construct validity -e.g., “changes over time” Note: you NEVER get a single number that represents “construct validity”

Basic Steps 1) Create a test 2) Validate the test 3) Use the test

Basic Steps 1) Create a test –Rational Method –Projective Tests –Factor Analytic Method –Empirical Method –Combination of Methods 2) Validate the test –Predictive –Concurrent –Content –Construct 3) Use the test

What is a trait of personality? A “unit” of measurement Allport presents 8 Criteria that define a personality trait

Traits 1) A trait has more than nominal existence Traits are real!

Traits 2) A trait is more generalized than a behavior lie steal cheat

Traits 2) A trait is more generalized than a behavior lie steal cheat Honesty

Traits 2) A trait is more generalized than a behavior –There are systems of behaviors –Traits my embrace anywhere between 2 to hundreds of behaviors

Traits 3) A trait is dynamic A trait CAUSES behavior, it is not just a summary of behavior lie steal cheat Honesty YES!

Traits 3) A trait is dynamic A trait CAUSES behavior, it is not just a summary of behavior lie steal cheat Honesty NO!

Traits 4) The existence of a trait my be established empirically or statistically Statistical techniques can be used to examine coherence among behaviors

Traits 5) Traits are only relatively independent of each other It will be difficult to isolate “fundamental” traits that are completely independent of each other

Traits 6) A trait of personality, psychologically considered, is not the same as a moral quality.

Traits 7) Acts, and even habits, that are inconsistent with a trait are not proof of the non-existence of the trait Not realistic to expect perfect consistency –Some traits not important in some people –Traits interact with each other within a person –Context also determines behavior

Traits 8) A trait may be viewed either in the light of the personality which contains it, or in the light of its distribution in the population at large. Some traits are unique and some are universal Can examine either –Universal traits across people –Unique blends of traits within a person

Using Traits to Understand Behavior Different approaches: The Single-Trait Approach The Many-Trait Approach The Essential-Trait Approach The Simultaneous-Trait Approach

The Single Trait Approach An in-depth research program of a single trait

Questionnaire

Score Score #1 Add 1,3,4,7,10,14,15,16,17,20,21,24,25,28,29

Score Add 2,5,6,8,9,11,12,13,18,19,22,23,26,27,30 Score 2 = 105 – your score above Final score = Score 1 + Score 2

Authoritarianism Historical context –Nazi Germany Philosophical roots –Fromm To avoid choices people turn their will over to external authorities “I am just following orders” In the 1930s created the “F – Scale”

Authoritarianism

Conventionalism

Authoritarianism Conventionalism Authoritarian submission

Authoritarianism Conventionalism Authoritarian submission Authoritarian aggression

Authoritarianism Conventionalism Authoritarian submission Authoritarian aggression Anti – ‘intraception”

Authoritarianism Conventionalism Authoritarian submission Authoritarian aggression Anti – ‘intraception” Superstition

Authoritarianism Conventionalism Authoritarian submission Power and toughness Authoritarian aggression Anti – ‘intraception” Superstition

Authoritarianism Conventionalism Authoritarian submission Destructiveness and cynicism Power and toughness Authoritarian aggression Anti – ‘intraception” Superstition

Authoritarianism Conventionalism Authoritarian submission Projectivity Destructiveness and cynicism Power and toughness Authoritarian aggression Anti – ‘intraception” Superstition

Authoritarianism Conventionalism Authoritarian submission Sexual repression Projectivity Destructiveness and cynicism Power and toughness Authoritarian aggression Anti – ‘intraception” Superstition

Authoritarianism Note how this trait ties together many diverse behaviors Also note how it can explain inconsistencies in behavior –A person VERY respectful to a superior may be cruel to those who rank lower

Authoritarianism Over 4,000 articles on this trait! Findings: No relation between authoritarianism and political party Note: not conservatism, but pseudoconservatism –e.g., taxes abolished, no trials, etc.

Authoritarianism Findings: Society is in turmoil, authoritarians more likely to support “strong” political candidates When standard of living declines authoritarians more likely to favor restrictions of welfare and bans on abortion

Authoritarianism Roots: Child-rearing practices –Regularly and severely punished –Learn to fear, obey, and be unquestioning of authority Genetic –Biological siblings =.35 –Adopted siblings =.05

Questionnaire

Say “I am going out now, I won’t be back all day. If anyone comes by, just tell them I’m not here” Happy Sad Mad

Self-Monitoring How much do “monitor” your social setting and alter your behaviors accordingly High SM –Monitor every situation –Look for cues how to act, alter behavior Low SM –Consistent behavior regardless of situation

Self-Monitoring Findings: Actors tend to be high self-monitors –Mental patients tend to be low Video tapped group discussion High SM interview better for jobs High SM more likely to lie to go on dates Jokes with a laugh track Masturbate more often (r =.50)

The Many-Trait Approach Examine many traits simultaneously to determine what type of person tends to perform certain behaviors

The Many-Trait Approach Commonly use the California Q-Sort –Forces you to compare traits to each other Rank order Healthy Wealthy Wise

Findings of the Many-Trait Approach 64 undergraduates completed the SM scale Friends and family q-sorted the subjects

Self-Monitoring High SM Skilled in social techniques Talkative Self-dramatizing Initiates humor Verbally fluent Expressive in face Has social poise and presence

Self-Monitoring Low Self Monitors Distrustful Perfectionist Touchy and irritable Anxious Introspective Independent

Findings of the Many-Trait Approach Drug use and adolescent health –Shedler & Block, subjects Age 11 – parents completed a q-sort Age 18 – Drug usage measured –Abstainers, experimenters, frequent users

Abst.Exp.Freq. 1. Prefers nonverbal methods of communication * 3. Is warm and responsive.5.3**6.25.2** 6. Is helpful and cooperative ** 8. Tends to keep thoughts, feelings, or products to self. 5.6* Characteristically pushes and tries to stretch limits. 3.0* Is eager to please ** 21. Tries to be the center of attention.3.1** Is fearful and anxious.4.5*** Uses and responds to reason.7.3** Is physically active.5.2**5.95.7

Abst.Exp.Freq. 27. Is visibly deviant from peers in physical appearance ** 28. Is vital, energetic, lively.4.9** Tends to arouse liking and acceptance in adults * 34. Is restless and fidgety.3.7*** Is inhibited and constricted.5.1** Likes to compete; tests and compares self with others. 4.1** Becomes rigidly repetitive or immobilized under stress. 4.2*3.54.2* 40. Is curious, eager to learn, open to new experiences. 5.4***6.45.7* 41. Is persistent in activities; does not give up easily * 42. Is an interesting, arresting child.5.1**5.85.1*

Abst.Exp.Freq. 45. Tends to withdraw and disengage when under stress. 5.0*4.25.2** 47. Has high standards of performance for self ** 52. Is physically cautious.5.1*** Has rapid shifts in mood; is emotionally labile ** 59. Is neat and orderly in dress and behavior.6.5*** Becomes anxious in unpredictable environment.4.9**44.8* 62. Is obedient and compliant.6.5* Has a rapid personal tempo; reacts and moves quickly. 4.2** Is calm and relaxed, easy-going.5.0*5.65.2

The Many-Trait Approach Note: What this study is not saying –To interpret the meaning of these traits need to also interpret the context of the study

How many adjectives can you use to describe a person? Try it!

The Essential-Trait Approach Odbert and Allport found over 4,500 adjectives that describe personality traits –17,953 adjectives overall (but some were not traits) Are all of these really independent of each other? Essential Approach tries to find how many and which traits are essential

The Big Five: History Allport and Odbert (1936) –17,953 trait terms Cattell (1943) –Factor analysis finds 35 clusters Fiske (1949) –Factor analysis results in 5 factors Tupes & Christal (1961) –Replicate Fiske Norman (1963) replicates Tupes & Christal, and writes a review about these “big five” traits –Surgency (extraversion) –Agreeableness –Conscientiousness –Emotional stability –Culture