1/16/2012. Personality. Personality Structure

Transcription

1 !"# Personality Personality: relatively enduring set of characteristics that define out individuality and affect out interactions with the environment. Personality Structure Personality traits: consistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, and actions. States: more short-term characteristics of a person. Five-factor model: 1. Neuroticism 2. Agreeableness 3. Conscientiousness 4. Extraversion 5. Openness Self-report technique: may lead to biased responding. Criticized because of possible bias of language. 1

2 Personality Structure Individual Stability or Change? Personality traits become more consistent with age. Personality Structure Individual Stability or Change? Continuity, Change and Variability co-exist. Research varies in terms of stability or change over time. Generally, some people change over time, and some do not. 2

3 Personality Structure What do Personality Traits do? Personality and Relationships Personality and Job achievement Personality and Health Explanations of Continuity and Change in Adult Personality Traits Behavior Genetics and Personality Traits Genes determine our personalities to a large degree Heritability of 5 major personality factors. 3

4 Explanations of Continuity and Change in Adult Personality Traits Environmental Influences on Personality Traits Person-environment transactions serve to maintain personality trait consistency. Reactive transactions Evocative transactions Proactive transactions Manipulative transactions The basic organization of traits is universal, but people have distinct personalities. Explanations of Continuity and Change in Adult Personality Traits Evolutionary Psychology and Personality Traits Traits are based on basic social groups our early ancestors lived in. Differences in personality and the ability to perceive them have been important to the survival of our species. 4

5 Conceptual Organization of Theories Stage theories versus Non-stage theories Theories of Developmental Progress with Stages Erikson s Theory of Identity Development - Psychosocial The most influential theory on adult development. Psychosocial development continues over entire life span. Development follows a universal sequence. Successful identity development involves resolving eight crises or dilemmas. 5

6 Theories of Developmental Progress with Stages Loevinger s Theory of Ego Development Stages developed based on empirical study. Each builds on the one that precedes it. Rate and process of development across stages is variable. Impulsive stage Self-protective stage Conformist stage Self-aware stage Conscientious stage Individualistic stage Autonomous stage Integrated stage Theories of Developmental Progress without Stages Vaillant s Theory of Adaptation to Life Accepts Erikson s stages as the basic framework for development. Focuses on a direction of growth or development. Major form of adaptation is the defense mechanism, a set of strategies used to deal with anxiety. Developed the Defensive Functioning Scale. Focuses on the progress adults make towards higher levels of maturity. 6

7 Theories of Personality Development Gutman Suggests gender crossover occurs between middle and old age. Theories of Personality Development Maslow: Positive Well-Being Grew out of psychoanalytic theory. Development of motives or needs: deficiency motives and being motives. 7

8 Theories of Personality Development Self-Determination Theory New application of Maslow s theory by Ryan and Deci. Personality is based on inner resources for growth and integration. Three basic needs: Competence Autonomy Relatedness Developmental goals are met when the three needs are all satisfied. Theories of Personality Development Positive Psychological Functioning Ruff formulated six key dimensions of positive psychological functioning. 8