PSY-255 Quiz 2 Study Guide

What is the definition of the primary characteristics of trait theory? Answer 1. traits are stable over time 2. stable across situations What are the differences between nomotheic and idiographic approaches to trait theory? Answer Nomotheic - identifying certain traits and checking to see if someone else has it Idiographic - examines trait thoroughly and tries to understands individuals and what they are driven by. (opposite of nomotheic) What are the differences in common, central, and cardinal traits? Answer Common traits - traits that everyone has Central traits - 5-10 traits that best describe the individual Cardinal traits - single trait dominates personality What is the Thematic aptitude test? Answer the TAT (designed by Henry Murray) is widely used and consists of a series of ambiguous pictures What is factor analysis? Answer many ideas slimmed down by smaller more defined ideas What are the Big Five and provide examples of behaviors consistent with these strategies? Answer Fiske (1949) performed a factor analysis on personality and identified 5 factors - openness - extraversion