ppe 3003 unit 1 test study guide
Ch. 1
Define personality - correct answer-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 environment.
elements of personality definition - correct answer-"Set of psychological traits" -> the WHAT
of personality.
Characteristics that describe ways people are different from each other.
... "and mechanisms"--> the HOW of personality
inputs, decision rules, outputs.
... "Within the individual" (carry with you)
. ... "Organized and relatively enduring"... (Organize & linked in a coherent fashion),
(enduring-consistent over time and across situations)
..."Influence interactions with and adaptation to"... (Affect our lives, serve a purpose)
... "The environment" (physical, social, "in your own head" environment)
the WHAT, characteristics, average tendencies
What are three reasons personality traits are useful? - correct answer-average tendencies
allow you to describe, explain, predict behavior
What is the difference between personality traits and mechanisms? - correct answer-Traits:
the WHAT; characteristics that describe ways people are different from each other.
Mechanisms: the how of personality; the process of personality.
ex. Optimism is a trait, and the mechanism would tell you how this actually works
3 ingredients in a mechanism: inputs, decision rules, outputs
What are the three components of personality mechanisms? Be able to recognize examples.
- correct answer-1) Inputs (or Attention): sensitivity to certain types of info in the
environment.
ex: choosing to pay attention to the good thing, not the bad thing (if optimistic)
, 2) Decision rules (or Available Options): make someone more likely to think about specific
options
ex: if someone is shy & needs to make an announcement, standing up in class is probably
not an option for them; may consider approaching the teacher about the question instead.
3) Outputs (or Actual Behavior): action
ex: someone who is outgoing sees a stranger and decides to go talk to them; talking to them
would be the output.
At what levels do personality psychologists analyze similarities and differences? Be able to
define each level and provide examples. - correct answer-a. Human Nature- How we are like
all others of our species; Personality features shared by everyone
ex: language skills across cultures; Psychological need to be accepted, happy, etc.
b. Individual Differences- How people are "like some others" in their group
ex: extraverts, sensation seekers
Group Differences: one group is different from other groups
Ex: Culture, gender, race, age, political orientation.
c. Individual Uniqueness- How we are not like others- Everyone has unique qualities not
shared by any other person.
ii. Case Study Research*: Neil does an in depth analysis on how Steve Jobs became so
successful with Apple.
What are the six domains of knowledge about personality? What sort of topics applies to
each domain? - correct answer-a. Dispositional- ways people differ (traits)
b. Biological- genetics, physiology, evolution
c. Intrapsychic- mental mechanisms (unconscious)
d. Cognitive/experiential- cognitions and subjective experiences (conscious, self & self
concept).
e. Social/cultural- social and cultural context
f. Adjustment- meeting challenges in life
How is the field of personality psychology different from other fields? - correct answer-From
the book:
a. Different from Developmental Psychology;
i. How people change over time vs. in what ways they stay the same.
b. Different from Clinical Psychology
Study of "normal" functioning vs. study of disorders
c. Different from Social Psychology
i. Focus on the situation vs. the person
What purposes should a good theory fulfill? - correct answer-A good theory is one that
provides a guide for researchers, organizes known findings, and makes predictions.
Ch. 1
Define personality - correct answer-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 environment.
elements of personality definition - correct answer-"Set of psychological traits" -> the WHAT
of personality.
Characteristics that describe ways people are different from each other.
... "and mechanisms"--> the HOW of personality
inputs, decision rules, outputs.
... "Within the individual" (carry with you)
. ... "Organized and relatively enduring"... (Organize & linked in a coherent fashion),
(enduring-consistent over time and across situations)
..."Influence interactions with and adaptation to"... (Affect our lives, serve a purpose)
... "The environment" (physical, social, "in your own head" environment)
the WHAT, characteristics, average tendencies
What are three reasons personality traits are useful? - correct answer-average tendencies
allow you to describe, explain, predict behavior
What is the difference between personality traits and mechanisms? - correct answer-Traits:
the WHAT; characteristics that describe ways people are different from each other.
Mechanisms: the how of personality; the process of personality.
ex. Optimism is a trait, and the mechanism would tell you how this actually works
3 ingredients in a mechanism: inputs, decision rules, outputs
What are the three components of personality mechanisms? Be able to recognize examples.
- correct answer-1) Inputs (or Attention): sensitivity to certain types of info in the
environment.
ex: choosing to pay attention to the good thing, not the bad thing (if optimistic)
, 2) Decision rules (or Available Options): make someone more likely to think about specific
options
ex: if someone is shy & needs to make an announcement, standing up in class is probably
not an option for them; may consider approaching the teacher about the question instead.
3) Outputs (or Actual Behavior): action
ex: someone who is outgoing sees a stranger and decides to go talk to them; talking to them
would be the output.
At what levels do personality psychologists analyze similarities and differences? Be able to
define each level and provide examples. - correct answer-a. Human Nature- How we are like
all others of our species; Personality features shared by everyone
ex: language skills across cultures; Psychological need to be accepted, happy, etc.
b. Individual Differences- How people are "like some others" in their group
ex: extraverts, sensation seekers
Group Differences: one group is different from other groups
Ex: Culture, gender, race, age, political orientation.
c. Individual Uniqueness- How we are not like others- Everyone has unique qualities not
shared by any other person.
ii. Case Study Research*: Neil does an in depth analysis on how Steve Jobs became so
successful with Apple.
What are the six domains of knowledge about personality? What sort of topics applies to
each domain? - correct answer-a. Dispositional- ways people differ (traits)
b. Biological- genetics, physiology, evolution
c. Intrapsychic- mental mechanisms (unconscious)
d. Cognitive/experiential- cognitions and subjective experiences (conscious, self & self
concept).
e. Social/cultural- social and cultural context
f. Adjustment- meeting challenges in life
How is the field of personality psychology different from other fields? - correct answer-From
the book:
a. Different from Developmental Psychology;
i. How people change over time vs. in what ways they stay the same.
b. Different from Clinical Psychology
Study of "normal" functioning vs. study of disorders
c. Different from Social Psychology
i. Focus on the situation vs. the person
What purposes should a good theory fulfill? - correct answer-A good theory is one that
provides a guide for researchers, organizes known findings, and makes predictions.
