Chapter 4: Personality Development
The five-factor theory and five factor model
• FFT proposed by Paul Costa & Robert McCrae
• Main component is basic tendencies that are
considered solely by biological factors which
includes genetic factors and brain structures
• all personality traits can be grouped into 5 broad
trait dimensions
1. Neuroticism
• Extent to which a person is prone to experiencing negative moods and
emotion. 6 facets are anxiety, hostility, self-consciousness, depression,
impulsiveness, and vulnerability.
• Experience more fear and sadness
2. Extraversion
• Tendency to be outgoing in social situations
• 6 facets are three interpersonal traits (warmth/gregariousness/assertiveness)
and three temperamental traits (activity, excitement seeking and positive
emotions)
3. Openness
• Overall depth and breadth of an individuals intellectual/artistic/experiential
life
• Openness to fantasy, aesthetics, action, ideas, values & feelings
• Enjoy learning and trying new things
4. Agreeableness
• NB aspect of social behaviour
• Maintaining pleasant, harmonious interpersonal relations
• 6 facets are sincerity, altruism, trust, modesty, compliance & kindness
5. Conscientiousness
• Reflects propensity to be self-
controlled, goal-directed and rule
following
• Capacity to organize things and
complete tasks
• Facets include orderliness, self-
discipline, reliability, competence,
achievement and striving
• Productive and ambitious
Compiled, revised and sold by Bronwyn de Sousa. DO NOT SHARE!!!
, Accommodation: when basic tendencies interact or fit into particular environmental
conditions.
Assimilation: occurs when specific behaviours, thoughts, or emotional reactions fir the
characteristic adaptations into particular situations.
Contextual and environmental approaches to adult personality
1. Erik Erikson: Psychosocial Development
o Personality development occurs throughout life span in 8 stages
o Each stage charactersied by crisis or challenge
o Viewed development as complex interaction of biological,
psychosocial, cultural, and social forces.
Psychosocial stage Age Challenge Synthesis
Basic trust vs mistrust 0-1 Develop sense that world is Hope
safe
Anatomy vs shame and 1-3 years Realize independence Willpower
doubt
Initiative vs guilt 3-6 yrs Develop willingness to try new Purpose
things and handle failure
Industry vs inferiority 6- adolescence Learn basic skills and work with Competence
other
Identity vs identity confusion Adolescence Integrated sense of self Reliability
Intimacy vs isolation Young adulthood Commit to another in loving Love
relationship
Generativity vs stagnation Middle adulthood Childcare or rearing in Care
community
Integrity vs despair Later life Satisfactory life worth living wisdom
Principles central to understanding Erikson
1. Dynamic Balance of opposites
o Emphasises importance of opposing tendencies in each stage
o for healthy psychosocial development
o success in particular themes
2. Vital Involvement
o Reciprocal and meaningful engagement between a person and
their environment such as engaging with people/ideas/materials
o Emphasises critical role of physical and social environment
shaping a person
3. Life in Time
o Development lifelong process
o Own circumstances require specific themes
Personality development: an African Perspective
Compiled, revised and sold by Bronwyn de Sousa. DO NOT SHARE!!!
The five-factor theory and five factor model
• FFT proposed by Paul Costa & Robert McCrae
• Main component is basic tendencies that are
considered solely by biological factors which
includes genetic factors and brain structures
• all personality traits can be grouped into 5 broad
trait dimensions
1. Neuroticism
• Extent to which a person is prone to experiencing negative moods and
emotion. 6 facets are anxiety, hostility, self-consciousness, depression,
impulsiveness, and vulnerability.
• Experience more fear and sadness
2. Extraversion
• Tendency to be outgoing in social situations
• 6 facets are three interpersonal traits (warmth/gregariousness/assertiveness)
and three temperamental traits (activity, excitement seeking and positive
emotions)
3. Openness
• Overall depth and breadth of an individuals intellectual/artistic/experiential
life
• Openness to fantasy, aesthetics, action, ideas, values & feelings
• Enjoy learning and trying new things
4. Agreeableness
• NB aspect of social behaviour
• Maintaining pleasant, harmonious interpersonal relations
• 6 facets are sincerity, altruism, trust, modesty, compliance & kindness
5. Conscientiousness
• Reflects propensity to be self-
controlled, goal-directed and rule
following
• Capacity to organize things and
complete tasks
• Facets include orderliness, self-
discipline, reliability, competence,
achievement and striving
• Productive and ambitious
Compiled, revised and sold by Bronwyn de Sousa. DO NOT SHARE!!!
, Accommodation: when basic tendencies interact or fit into particular environmental
conditions.
Assimilation: occurs when specific behaviours, thoughts, or emotional reactions fir the
characteristic adaptations into particular situations.
Contextual and environmental approaches to adult personality
1. Erik Erikson: Psychosocial Development
o Personality development occurs throughout life span in 8 stages
o Each stage charactersied by crisis or challenge
o Viewed development as complex interaction of biological,
psychosocial, cultural, and social forces.
Psychosocial stage Age Challenge Synthesis
Basic trust vs mistrust 0-1 Develop sense that world is Hope
safe
Anatomy vs shame and 1-3 years Realize independence Willpower
doubt
Initiative vs guilt 3-6 yrs Develop willingness to try new Purpose
things and handle failure
Industry vs inferiority 6- adolescence Learn basic skills and work with Competence
other
Identity vs identity confusion Adolescence Integrated sense of self Reliability
Intimacy vs isolation Young adulthood Commit to another in loving Love
relationship
Generativity vs stagnation Middle adulthood Childcare or rearing in Care
community
Integrity vs despair Later life Satisfactory life worth living wisdom
Principles central to understanding Erikson
1. Dynamic Balance of opposites
o Emphasises importance of opposing tendencies in each stage
o for healthy psychosocial development
o success in particular themes
2. Vital Involvement
o Reciprocal and meaningful engagement between a person and
their environment such as engaging with people/ideas/materials
o Emphasises critical role of physical and social environment
shaping a person
3. Life in Time
o Development lifelong process
o Own circumstances require specific themes
Personality development: an African Perspective
Compiled, revised and sold by Bronwyn de Sousa. DO NOT SHARE!!!
