Personality Psychology

Geneticists research are based on twins and adoption studies

Research would ask questions about the heritability of certain personality traits.

Interested in the biological influence on behavior

Based on Darwinian theory of evolution by natural selection 

Interested in the possible evolutionary benefit that may come from specific personality traits and our ability to recognize them in others

They believe that we may have biogical predispositions to behave in certain ways, culture pays important role in determing personality and behavior as well. Evolutionary psychology is not determinism. 

• Hostile: Single best indicator for addiional heart attacks 
• Ofter doing more than one task at a time
• Urging others to hurry up 
• Irritated with blocked traffic (leads to road rage)
• Gesturing when talking
• Unable to sit still doing nothing
• Verbally explosive
• Playing to win 
• Over-involved with work
• Impatient, time urgent 

Clusters of characteristics that tend to occur together

Same as a trait

broad dimensions from early in fancy; include emotionality, activity level and sociability 

Idea tht adult motivation is not tied to the past. It changes over the lifespan. This is discontinuity.

Example: A teen smokes to be a rebel but continues as an adult to relieve stress

The idea tha people are proactive future oriented and do things that reinforce who they really are. 

This involves ego, identity, body and esteem. 

Powerful traits that influence every area of a person's life. Pretty rare. 

Example: Someone who spends their life chasing, fame, fortune, or sex. 

Scrooge: greed

Joan of arc: heroic self sacrifice

Mother Teresa: Religious service

Terms we use to describe others.

Example: Setting a friend upon a blind date and use adjectives like smart, to describe the individual. 

Terms we use to describe others.

Example: Setting a friend upon a blind date and use adjectives like smart, to describe the individual. 

Traits that are less important to the personality. May only be found in cerrtain situations. 

Example: A person who is shy in class, but funny and out going in  private. 

Is the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophyscial systems that determine their characteristic behavior and thougt. 

A rediness to respond in a certain way under certain given circumstances

A force in the brain that organizes perceptions understand, and behavior in such aways as to lead us to chage and unsatisfying situation 

Some are temporary and changin; others are tied deeply to our genetic makeup 

Thematic Apperception Test

A projective test that assesses personality

Ambiguous pictures are shown and the individual is aked to com up with detailed stories about the picture. the Inividual projets their ideas and attitudes on the pictures. This allows the researcher to to interpret the test on the needs that define the person and the effects of press