Chapter 1 - Personality Psych

Idiographic Research

"The description of one." Research that typically focuses on a single subject, trying to observe general principles that are manifest in a single life over time.

Key Purposes of Theory

-Serves as a guide for researchers -Organizes known findings -Makes predictions about behavior and psychological phenomena that no one has yet documented or observed

6 Domains of Knowledge About Human Nature

1. Dispositional 2. Biological 3. Intrapsychic 4. Cognitive-experiential 5. Social & Cultural 6. Adjustment

3 Levels of Personality Analysis

1. Human Nature 2. Individual and Group Differences 3. Individual Uniqueness

Cognitive-Experiential Domain

Focuses on cognition and subjective experience, such as conscious thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and desires about oneself and others. -Self and self-concept (teacher/gifted student example) -Goals we set and strive to meet -Emotional Experiences, in general and over time

domain of knowledge

a specialty area of science and scholarship in which psychologists have focused on learning about some specific and limited aspects of human nature

Social & Cultural Domain

Assumes that personality affects, and is affected by cultural and social contexts. Much work on cultural differences between groups and on individual differences within cultures. At human nature level of analysis, all humans have common set of concerns they struggle with in social sphere. (stereotypes pressure different groups)

Scientific Theories vs. Beliefs

Beliefs are based on leaps of faith while theories are based on systematic observations that can be repeated by others to yield similar conclusions.

Personality Traits

Characteristics that describe ways in which people are different from each other.

Biological Domain

Core assumption of biological approaches to personality is that humans are collective biological systems, and these systems provide building blocks for behavior, thought, and emotion.

Intrapsychic Domain

Deals with the mental mechanisms of personality, many of which operate outside conscious awareness. Classic and modern versions of Freud's theory of psychoanalysis, including work on repression, denial, projection, and motives for power, achievement, and affiliation.

Dispositional Domain

Deals with ways in which individuals differ from one another, and therefore, cuts across all other domains. Focus on number and nature of fundamental dispositions. Also interested in the origin of individual differences and how these develop over time.

3 Areas of Research Within Biological Domain

Genetics (Are identical twins more alike than fraternal twins?) Psychophysiology - involves nervous system functioning (pain tolerance, circadian rhythms) Evolution - assumes that the psychological mechanisms that constitute human personality have evolved over thousands of years

Human Nature

How we are "like all others." The traits and mechanisms of personality that are typical of our species and possessed by everyone or nearly everyone.

Individual Uniqueness

How we are "like no others." Individual uniqueness refers to the fact that every individual has personal unique qualities not shared by any other person in the world. Individuals can be studied nomothetically or idiographically.

Individual and Group Differences

How we are "like some others." Individual differences refer to ways in which each person is like SOME other people (extroverts, high-esteem persons) Group differences refer to ways in which people in one group differ from people in another group (culture, age)

Grand Theories of Personality

Most address the human nature level of analysis. They attempt to provide a universal account of the fundamental psychological process and characteristics of our species. Statements about the universal core of human nature lie at the center of grand theories (Freud emphasized universal instincts of sex and aggression, psychosexual development, etc).

Contemporary Research in Personality

Most current research in personality that addresses the ways in which individuals and groups differ (extroversion and introversion, anxiety and neuroticism). Personality psychologists specialize in a particular domain, such as biological aspects of personality or how culture impacts personality.

Adjustment Domain

Personality plays key role in how we cope, adapt, and adjust to daily life. Personality is linked with health outcomes, such as heart disease. Also linked with health-related behaviors such as smoking and drinking.

Nomothetic Research

Research that typically involves statistical comparisons of individuals or groups, requiring samples of subjects on which to conduct research.

Personality

The set of psychological traits and mechanisms within the individual that are organized and relatively enduring and that influence his or her interactions with, and adaptations to, the intrapsychic, physical, and social environments.

The gap between _____________ and _____________ in personality psychology has not yet been successfully bridged.

grand theories of personality (human nature level of analysis, contemporary research in personality (individual and group differences level of analysis)