Introduction to Psychology Unit 8: Personality Instructor: Sara Barnett.

Introduction to Introduction to PsychologyPsychology

Unit 8: PersonalityUnit 8: Personality

Instructor: Sara BarnettInstructor: Sara Barnett

Warm-Up QuestionsWarm-Up Questions

How would you describe your personality?How would you describe your personality?

Is your description similar to how others Is your description similar to how others would describe you?would describe you?

Is there anything about your personality Is there anything about your personality that has changed over time?that has changed over time?

What led to this change?What led to this change?

AnnouncementsAnnouncements Incomplete Grades (Incompletes are granted at Incomplete Grades (Incompletes are granted at

the start of next week. Students must have the start of next week. Students must have completed at least 75% of the course work and completed at least 75% of the course work and average a “C” or higher in order to receive an average a “C” or higher in order to receive an “Incomplete”“Incomplete”

If you have any questions, comments, or If you have any questions, comments, or concerns as we head towards the end of the concerns as we head towards the end of the semester, please do not hesitate to contact me!semester, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Grab a pencil/pen and piece of paper for this Grab a pencil/pen and piece of paper for this seminar!seminar!

PersonalityPersonality

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

The Basis of PersonalityThe Basis of Personality

Is the basis of personality genetic or Is the basis of personality genetic or environmental?environmental?

Can you think of parts of your Can you think of parts of your personality that have resulted from personality that have resulted from your environment, and others that your environment, and others that seem to be inherent?seem to be inherent?

Identical Twin StudiesIdentical Twin Studies

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

The Twin JimsThe Twin Jims

In particular, Bouchard studied the personalities and attitudes of 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 – identical twins separated at birth and reunited 39 years later - and the resulting similarities were again astonishing resulting similarities were again astonishing

PERSONALITY:PERSONALITY:- In one test which measured personality variables (tolerance, conformity, In one test which measured personality variables (tolerance, conformity,

flexibility), the twins' scores were so close that they approximated the flexibility), the twins' scores were so close that they approximated the averaging of the totals of one person taking the test twice.averaging of the totals of one person taking the test twice.

BRAIN BEHAVIOR, INTELLIGENCE, and PHYSIOLOGY: BRAIN BEHAVIOR, INTELLIGENCE, and PHYSIOLOGY: - Brain wave tests produced skyline-like graphs looking like 2 views of the same Brain wave tests produced skyline-like graphs looking like 2 views of the same

city. city. - Intelligence tests, mental abilities, gestures, voice tones, likes and dislikes, Intelligence tests, mental abilities, gestures, voice tones, likes and dislikes,

were similar as well. were similar as well. - So were medical histories: both had high blood pressure, both had experienced So were medical histories: both had high blood pressure, both had experienced

what they thought were heart attacks, both had undergone vasectomies, and what they thought were heart attacks, both had undergone vasectomies, and both suffered from migrane headaches. They even used the same words to both suffered from migrane headaches. They even used the same words to describe these headaches. describe these headaches.

Source: (http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/lhs/science/mos/twins/Jimtwins.html):Source: (http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/lhs/science/mos/twins/Jimtwins.html):

Self-Inventory ReportsSelf-Inventory Reports

Self-Inventory ReportSelf-Inventory Report- - Psychological test in which participants answer Psychological test in which participants answer

questions about themselves (Ex: I am nervous when I questions about themselves (Ex: I am nervous when I speak to a large group of people)speak to a large group of people)

Example of a Self-Inventory ReportExample of a Self-Inventory Report- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-

2):2): Most widely-used self-report personality Most widely-used self-report personality inventory; assesses for major psychological inventory; assesses for major psychological disorders/problem areas of functioning; 567-item test disorders/problem areas of functioning; 567-item test that takes about 1 hour to complete (hypochondria, that takes about 1 hour to complete (hypochondria, depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviation, depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviation, masculinity/femininity, paranoia, psychasthenia, masculinity/femininity, paranoia, psychasthenia, schizophrenia, hypomania, social introversion, etc).schizophrenia, hypomania, social introversion, etc).

Projective Projective Projective TestsProjective Tests- Unstructured and subjective as compared to the Unstructured and subjective as compared to the

self-report inventories; shown an ambiguous self-report inventories; shown an ambiguous image and told to label it/tell a story image and told to label it/tell a story

Examples of a projective testExamples of a projective test- Rorschach inkblot testRorschach inkblot test- Make up stories about picturesMake up stories about pictures- DrawDraw- Complete sentences such as, “I think other Complete sentences such as, “I think other

people…” people…”

Trait Theory of Trait Theory of PersonalityPersonality

Trait – A summary term that describes the Trait – A summary term that describes the tendency to behave, feel, and think in ways tendency to behave, feel, and think in ways that are consistent across different situationsthat are consistent across different situations

We evaluate personality based on traits, as We evaluate personality based on traits, as those tend to remain consistent across the those tend to remain consistent across the lifespan, though they can change when lifespan, though they can change when necessary and when the person is open to necessary and when the person is open to changechange

The “Big Five” traits are thought to appear The “Big Five” traits are thought to appear across age, gender, race, language, and across age, gender, race, language, and cultureculture

Self-Inventory Report Self-Inventory Report Example:Example:

The “Big Five” Mini TestThe “Big Five” Mini Test1 – Not true of Me 1 – Not true of Me 2 – Mostly Not True of Me2 – Mostly Not True of Me 3 3

– Neither true nor untrue of Me – Neither true nor untrue of Me 4 – Somewhat 4 – Somewhat truetrue 5 – Very True5 – Very True

1. imaginative1. imaginative 2. organized2. organized 3. talkative3. talkative4. sympathetic4. sympathetic 5. tense5. tense 6. 6.

intelligentintelligent7. thorough 7. thorough 8. assertive8. assertive 9. kind9. kind10. anxious 10. anxious 11. original11. original 12. efficient12. efficient13. active13. active 14. soft-hearted14. soft-hearted 15. 15.

nervousnervous16. insightful16. insightful 17. responsible17. responsible 18. 18.

energeticenergetic19. warm19. warm 20. worrying 20. worrying 21. clever 21. clever 22. practical 22. practical 23. outgoing23. outgoing 24. generous24. generous25. self-pitying25. self-pitying

Scoring the “Big Five” Scoring the “Big Five” Mini TestMini Test

To score your test, create 5 different totals/sums: To score your test, create 5 different totals/sums:

1) Add answers to Questions 1, 6, 11, 16, 211) Add answers to Questions 1, 6, 11, 16, 21





Score #1 – Openness to Score #1 – Openness to ExperienceExperience

OpennessOpenness is a general appreciation for: is a general appreciation for:- ArtArt- EmotionEmotion- AdventureAdventure- Unusual ideasUnusual ideas- ImaginationImagination- CuriosityCuriosity- Variety of experience. Variety of experience.

The trait distinguishes imaginative people from down-to-earth, conventional people.The trait distinguishes imaginative people from down-to-earth, conventional people.People who are open to experience are intellectually curious, appreciative of art, People who are open to experience are intellectually curious, appreciative of art,

andandsensitive to beauty. They tend to be, compared to closed people, more creative and sensitive to beauty. They tend to be, compared to closed people, more creative and

moremoreaware of their feelings. They are more likely to hold unconventional beliefs.aware of their feelings. They are more likely to hold unconventional beliefs.

People with low scores on openness tend to have more conventional, traditional People with low scores on openness tend to have more conventional, traditional interests. They preferinterests. They prefer

the plain, straightforward, and obvious over the complex, ambiguous, and subtle. the plain, straightforward, and obvious over the complex, ambiguous, and subtle. They may regard theThey may regard the

arts and sciences with suspicion, regarding these endeavors as uninteresting.arts and sciences with suspicion, regarding these endeavors as uninteresting.

Score #2 - Score #2 - ConscientiousnesConscientiousnes

ConscientiousnessConscientiousness is a tendency to: is a tendency to: - show self-disciplineshow self-discipline- act dutifullyact dutifully- aim for achievement. aim for achievement.

The trait shows a preference for planned The trait shows a preference for planned ratherrather

than spontaneous behavior. It influences the than spontaneous behavior. It influences the way in whichway in which

we control, regulate, and direct our impulses. we control, regulate, and direct our impulses.

Score #3 - ExtraversionScore #3 - Extraversion ExtroversionExtroversion is characterized by: is characterized by: - positive emotionspositive emotions- the tendency to seek out stimulation and the company of othersthe tendency to seek out stimulation and the company of others- pronounced engagement with the external worldpronounced engagement with the external world

Extroverts enjoy being with people, and are often perceived as full of energy.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 sayThey 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 "Yes!" or "Let's go!" to opportunities for excitement. In groups they like to

talk,talk,assert themselves, and draw attention to themselves.assert themselves, and draw attention to themselves.

Introverts lack the social exuberance and activity levels of extroverts. They Introverts lack the social exuberance and activity levels of extroverts. They tendtend

to seem quiet, low-key, deliberate, and less involved in the social world. Theirto seem quiet, low-key, deliberate, and less involved in the social world. Theirlack of social involvement should not be interpreted as shyness or depression.lack of social involvement should not be interpreted as shyness or depression.Introverts simply need less stimulation than extroverts and more time alone. Introverts simply need less stimulation than extroverts and more time alone.

They may beThey may bevery active and energetic, simply not socially.very active and energetic, simply not socially.

Score #4 - AgreeablenessScore #4 - Agreeableness AgreeablenessAgreeableness is a tendency to be is a tendency to be - compassionate compassionate - cooperative cooperative - not suspicious nor antagonistic not suspicious nor antagonistic

The trait reflects individual differences in general concern for social harmony.The trait reflects individual differences in general concern for social harmony.Agreeable individuals value getting along with others. They are generallyAgreeable individuals value getting along with others. They are generallyconsiderate, friendly, generous, helpful, and willing to compromise their considerate, friendly, generous, helpful, and willing to compromise their

interestsinterestswith others. Agreeable people also have an optimistic view of human nature.with others. Agreeable people also have an optimistic view of human nature.They believe people are basically honest, decent, and trustworthy.They believe people are basically honest, decent, and trustworthy.

Disagreeable individuals place self-interest above getting along with others. Disagreeable individuals place self-interest above getting along with others. TheyThey

are generally unconcerned with others’ well-being, and are less likely to are generally unconcerned with others’ well-being, and are less likely to extendextend

themselves for other people. Sometimes their skepticism about others’ themselves for other people. Sometimes their skepticism about others’ motives causesmotives causes

them to be suspicious, unfriendly, and uncooperative.them to be suspicious, unfriendly, and uncooperative.

Score #5 - NeuroticismScore #5 - Neuroticism NeuroticismNeuroticism is the tendency to is the tendency to - Experience negative emotions, such as anger, anxiety, or Experience negative emotions, such as anger, anxiety, or

depressiondepression- Succumb to emotional instabilitySuccumb to emotional instability

- Those who score high in neuroticism are emotionally reactive and Those who score high in neuroticism are emotionally reactive and vulnerable to stress. They are more likely to interpret ordinary vulnerable to stress. They are more likely to interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult. Their negative emotional reactions tend to persist for difficult. Their negative emotional reactions tend to persist for unusually long periods of time, which means they are often in a unusually long periods of time, which means they are often in a bad mood. These problems in emotional regulation can diminish bad mood. These problems in emotional regulation can diminish the ability of a person scoring high on neuroticism to think the ability of a person scoring high on neuroticism to think clearly, make decisions, and cope effectively with stress.clearly, make decisions, and cope effectively with stress.

At the other end of the scale, individuals who score low in At the other end of the scale, individuals who score low in neuroticism are less easily upset and are less emotionally neuroticism are less easily upset and are less emotionally reactive. They tend to be calm, emotionally stable, and free from reactive. They tend to be calm, emotionally stable, and free from persistent negative feelings. Freedom from negative feelings does persistent negative feelings. Freedom from negative feelings does not mean that low scorers experience a lot of positive feelings. not mean that low scorers experience a lot of positive feelings.

““Big Five” SummaryBig Five” Summary

How well did the “Big Five” mini-test How well did the “Big Five” mini-test accurately predict your personality?accurately predict your personality?

Criticism of trait theories such as Criticism of trait theories such as the “Big Five” Theory center on a the “Big Five” Theory center on a need to explore more than just the need to explore more than just the presenting traits, but the causes and presenting traits, but the causes and origins of these traitsorigins of these traits

Projective Test Example – Projective Test Example – Sentence CompleteSentence 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 The best thing that has ever happened is…happened is…

Projective Test Example –Projective Test Example –Inkblot TestInkblot Test

Inkblot TestInkblot Test

Freud’s Take on Freud’s Take on PersonalityPersonality

Id Id – Instinct component of the personality – Instinct component of the personality (operates under the pleasure principal)(operates under the pleasure principal)

Ego Ego – The “reality” component of the – The “reality” component of the personality (seeks to please the “Id” and personality (seeks to please the “Id” and bring satisfaction in the long term)bring satisfaction in the long term)

Superego Superego – The “policeman” component – The “policeman” component of the personality (implements ethical of the personality (implements ethical codes/moral decision-making)codes/moral decision-making)

Questions, Comments, Questions, Comments, ReflectionsReflections

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Introduction to Psychology Unit 8: Personality Instructor: Sara Barnett.

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