All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the main criticism of trait theories of personality?
Answer: They may overlook situational influences on behavior. Critics argue traits don't account for how situations can change behavior.
Flashcard 2: What does the term 'locus of control' refer to in personality psychology?
Answer: Belief about control over life events. This determines whether people attribute outcomes to internal or external factors.
Flashcard 3: Which factor in the Five-Factor Model involves imagination and insight?
Answer: Openness. This dimension reflects intellectual curiosity and appreciation for art and ideas.
Flashcard 4: What is the primary method employed in trait theories to assess personality?
Answer: Self-report questionnaires. These standardized tests measure individual differences in personality traits.
Flashcard 5: What does a high level of conscientiousness suggest about a person's work habits?
Answer: They are diligent and organized. High conscientiousness reflects strong self-discipline and goal-directed behavior.
Flashcard 6: What does the Five-Factor Model suggest about personality traits?
Answer: Traits are consistent across different situations. The model proposes that personality dimensions remain stable across contexts.
Flashcard 7: Identify the key difference between social-cognitive and trait theories of personality.
Answer: Social-cognitive emphasizes learning; trait focuses on stable characteristics. Social-cognitive views personality as learned; trait theory sees it as stable.
Flashcard 8: What is reciprocal determinism in the context of social-cognitive theory?
Answer: Interaction between behavior, personal factors, and environment. These three factors continuously influence each other in shaping personality and behavior.
Flashcard 9: Which concept describes the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations?
Answer: Self-efficacy. This belief influences motivation, effort, and persistence in facing challenges.
Flashcard 10: What is the primary method used by individuals to learn behaviors in social-cognitive theory?
Answer: Observational learning. Learning occurs by watching others' behaviors and their consequences.
Flashcard 11: What do trait theories of personality focus on?
Answer: Identifying and measuring individual personality characteristics. They describe stable patterns that differentiate people from one another.
Flashcard 12: List the five factors in the Five-Factor Model of personality.
Answer: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism. These five dimensions capture the major aspects of personality variation.
Flashcard 13: What is meant by 'introversion' in trait theories?
Answer: Preference for solitary activities and low external stimulation. Introverts prefer quiet environments and gain energy from solitude.
Flashcard 14: What personality dimension involves being organized and dependable?
Answer: Conscientiousness. This trait reflects self-discipline, goal-directed behavior, and reliability.
Flashcard 15: What type of reinforcement is emphasized in social-cognitive theory?
Answer: Vicarious reinforcement. Learning occurs through observing others receive rewards or punishments.
Flashcard 16: Which theory suggests that personality is a result of environmental interactions?
Answer: Social-cognitive theory. This theory emphasizes how environment and cognition shape personality development.
Flashcard 17: Which concept in social-cognitive theory emphasizes personal judgment of capabilities?
Answer: Self-efficacy. It reflects confidence in one's ability to perform specific tasks successfully.
Flashcard 18: Which type of learning involves imitating others' behaviors?
Answer: Modeling. This involves learning behaviors by observing and imitating others.
Flashcard 19: What personality trait involves being cooperative and compassionate?
Answer: Agreeableness. This trait involves kindness, trust, and concern for others' welfare.
Flashcard 20: Which trait in the Five-Factor Model is related to sociability and talkativeness?
Answer: Extraversion. Extraverts are outgoing, energetic, and seek social stimulation.
Flashcard 21: What is the role of cognitive processes in social-cognitive theory?
Answer: Mediating behavior-environment interactions. Thoughts and beliefs shape how people interpret and respond to their environment.
Flashcard 22: What is a criticism of the social-cognitive theory?
Answer: It may underestimate the role of emotions and unconscious motives. The theory focuses heavily on cognition while minimizing other psychological factors.
Flashcard 23: Identify the psychologist associated with the development of social-cognitive theory.
Answer: Albert Bandura. He developed this theory emphasizing the interaction of cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors.
Flashcard 24: What does the social-cognitive theory emphasize in personality development?
Answer: Reciprocal determinism, observational learning, and self-efficacy. These are the three core components that shape personality through mutual influence.
Flashcard 25: Which personality trait is associated with experiencing negative emotions easily?
Answer: Neuroticism. High neuroticism involves anxiety, emotional instability, and stress sensitivity.
Flashcard 26: What does a high score in 'Openness' indicate about a person?
Answer: Creativity and openness to new experiences. This trait involves intellectual curiosity and willingness to try new things.
Flashcard 27: What is the primary focus of the trait approach in personality psychology?
Answer: Stable characteristics that predict behavior. Traits are enduring patterns that remain consistent across time and situations.
Flashcard 28: Identify the three components of Bandura's model of reciprocal determinism.
Answer: Behavior, personal factors, environment. These three elements interact dynamically to shape personality development.
Flashcard 29: Identify a key concept that distinguishes social-cognitive theory from behaviorism.
Answer: Observational learning. Unlike behaviorism, it includes learning through observation without direct experience.
Flashcard 30: What is the difference between a trait and a state in psychology?
Answer: Trait is stable, state is temporary. Traits are enduring characteristics while states are temporary conditions.