1. Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

2. Connecting previously learned content to Personality We will review Bandura and how his experiments led to his theory on personality. We will review the core of cognitive theories and how it relates to Kelly and Beck’s theories of personality. Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

3. Personality Development

4. Cognitive Theories: George Kelly George Kelly (1905-1967) developed the Personal Construct Theory. Our personality consists of our thoughts about ourselves, including our bias, errors, mistakes, and false conclusions. Individuality comes from the way we organize our schemas, our mental representation of people, event and concepts. We have a limited response due to our organization of our potential responses.

5. Cognitive Theories: Aaron T. Beck Aaron T. Beck (1921-) noticed that his patients’ tendency to think negatively (anticipating the worst) and maintain irrational thought processes. Developed a theory to turn negative thoughts into constructive ones. Explained problems as related to the environment, not automatically assuming they were personality flaws. Through analysis, different strategies for past experiences that were negative from flawed thoughts would be developed. Aaron T. Beck (1921-) noticed that his patients’ tendency to think negatively (anticipating the worst) and maintain irrational thought processes. Developed a theory to turn negative thoughts into constructive ones. Explained problems as related to the environment, not automatically assuming they were personality flaws. Through analysis, different strategies for past experiences that were negative from flawed thoughts would be developed.

6. Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

7. Using our traits to analyze our behaviors. Some theorists argue that studying our personality traits will help us better understand human behavior. Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

8. 2 Basic Assumptions Trait Theorists make: 1.Every trait applies to all people. 2.These traits are quantifiable. For example: – Everyone can be aggressive, but the scale is what changes from person to person. 1.Every trait applies to all people. 2.These traits are quantifiable. For example: – Everyone can be aggressive, but the scale is what changes from person to person. Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

9. In contrast to Freud Freud began with a well defined theory of instincts. When he observed someone who was stingy, he set out to explain why using his theory. Trait Theories do not set out to determine whether stinginess was a trait, but rather are curious whether the individual is stingy in multiple scenarios. They may also wonder if stinginess is a sign of a more basic trait, like possessiveness. Freud began with a well defined theory of instincts. When he observed someone who was stingy, he set out to explain why using his theory. Trait Theories do not set out to determine whether stinginess was a trait, but rather are curious whether the individual is stingy in multiple scenarios. They may also wonder if stinginess is a sign of a more basic trait, like possessiveness. Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

10. Compiled a list of traits from the dictionary. He combined synonyms and clusters of synonyms. Common Traits applied to everyone. Individual Traits applied to a specific person. – Cardinal Traits – Central Traits – Secondary Traits Compiled a list of traits from the dictionary. He combined synonyms and clusters of synonyms. Common Traits applied to everyone. Individual Traits applied to a specific person. – Cardinal Traits – Central Traits – Secondary Traits Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

11. Cardinal Trait A characteristic or feature that is so pervasive the person is almost identified with it. Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

12. Central Trait These traits make us predictable. For example: she is assertive. These traits make us predictable. For example: she is assertive. Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

13. Secondary Trait Least important to Allport, include our preferences in food and music. According to Allport, they have a less consistent influence on us. Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

14. Raymond Cattell (1905-1998) Used factor analysis to quantify personality traits. Used Allport’s list of traits. Proposed that characteristics that can be observed in certain situation make up 46 traits called surface traits. Using factor analysis, he narrowed this list to 16 source traits. Used factor analysis to quantify personality traits. Used Allport’s list of traits. Proposed that characteristics that can be observed in certain situation make up 46 traits called surface traits. Using factor analysis, he narrowed this list to 16 source traits. Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

15. The core of our personality. Cattell argued that by measuring these traits, we can predict human behavior. The core of our personality. Cattell argued that by measuring these traits, we can predict human behavior. Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

16. Using factor analysis of personality data, he concluded that there are two basic dimensions of personality. Later in his career, he would add a third. 1.Stability vs. Instability 2.Extraversion vs. Introversion 3.Psychoticism Using factor analysis of personality data, he concluded that there are two basic dimensions of personality. Later in his career, he would add a third. 1.Stability vs. Instability 2.Extraversion vs. Introversion 3.Psychoticism Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

17. Stability vs. Instability Refers to the degree at which a person is in control over their feelings. Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill A person on the instable end of the spectrum is moody, anxious and restless. A person on the stable end of the spectrum is easygoing, relaxed, well- adjusted and even- tempered. StableInstable

18. Extraversion vs. Introversion Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill Extraverts are sociable, outgoing, active, lively people. Introverts are more thoughtful, reserved, passive, unsociable and quiet.

19. Psychoticism Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill Self-centered, hostile, and aggressive “Superego”, socially sensitive, high on caring and empathy and easy to work with.

20. The 5 Robust Factors These five traits appear in multiple research studies. 1.Extraversion 2.Agreeableness (sympathetic to others, kind, trusting.) 3.Conscientiousness (dutiful, dedicated to completing tasks, organized and responsible.) 4.Openness to Experience (open-minded and willing to try new intellectual experiences, new ideas, or creative experiences.) 5.Emotional Stability (experiences things relatively easily without getting too upset. The opposite being neuroticism.) Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill

21. Behaviorist Theories Rewards and punishment. Skinner Social Learning Theories Cognitive-personal factors, our behaviors and environmental factors interact to shape our personalities. Bandura Psycho- analytical Theories Emphasize the importance of early childhood experiences, repressed thoughts, and conflict between conscious and unconscious forces. Freud, Jung and Adler Cognitive Theories Our analysis of our own perceptions, thoughts, and feeling shape our personalities. Kelly, Beck Humanisti c Theories Emphasize our capacity for personal growth, development of our full potential, and freedom to make choices. Maslow, Rogers Trait Theories Focus on identifying, measuring, and classifying similaritities and differences in personality characteristics or traits. Allport, Cattell and Eysenck

22. Summary 1.How did Bandura believe personality developed? 2.What are the 2 basic assumptions behind Trait Theory? 3.What would life be like if people had only an id? A superego? 4.List the traits that you think make up the “self-actualized” person. 1.How did Bandura believe personality developed? 2.What are the 2 basic assumptions behind Trait Theory? 3.What would life be like if people had only an id? A superego? 4.List the traits that you think make up the “self-actualized” person. Trait Theories of Personality: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill