PSYC-387 UNL Exam 1 Study Guide
3 person-environment transactions - ANS -*Active Person-Environment Transaction*: person
seeks out compatible environments and avoids incompatible ones
-aggressive person goes to bar where fights are frequent
-introvert avoids social gatherings
*Reactive Person-Environment Transaction*: different people respond differently to the same
situation
-extravert finds party enjoyable
-introvert finds same party unbearable
*Evocative Person-Environment Transaction*: aspect of an individual's personality leads to
behavior that changes the situations he or she experiences
-conscientious person tells group "it's time to get to work"
-disagreeable person starts argument over minor matter
\3 ways personality and situation interact - ANS -1. interdependence
2. selection
3. evocation
\Aggregation - ANS -averaging
allow random influences to cancel each other out
especially important for predicting behavior
(outcome of person-situation debate)
\B-Data (Behavioral Data) - ANS -information that is carefully and systematically recorded from
direct observation
natural/artificial
advantages: range of contexts in the lab
disadvantages: uncertain interpretation
-observer effect
\B-Data Personality Tests - ANS -performance-based or projective tests
useful when can't use S-data (are you smart?)
useful when you don't care about the answer per se, but what it suggests
, \Barnum Effect - ANS -people usually find personal meaning in statements that could apply to
many people
(horoscopes, astrology, etc.)
\basic approaches to personality - ANS -complements>competitors
not One Big Theory
-it's difficult to do everything well
\Basic Criteria for Personality Assessments - ANS -agreement and behavioral prediction
\Biological approach - ANS -understand the mind in terms of the body
aggression: genetic predisposition towards aggression
-evolutionary theory
depression: certain people inherit a genetic susceptibility to depression
-levels of neurotransmitters
\Case Study - ANS -in-depth examination of the life of one person
can yield explanations of particular events, general lessons, and scientific principles
\Causal Force - ANS -a persons determination to be a particular way because they think they
are that way
s-data
(efficacy expectations)
\cohort effect - ANS -may contribute to age differences in cross-sectional studies
\Correlational Study - ANS -seeks to determine whether there is a relationship between to
variables
advantages: allows identification of relationships among variables as they occur naturally
disadvantages: correlation does not indicate causation
-directionality problem
-third variable problem
\Cumulative Continuity Principle - ANS -individual differences become more consistent with age
-environment also becomes more stable as we age
\desires for personality change and obstacles - ANS -desire for change is normal, and usually in
the socially desirable direction
-to make life better
obstacles:
-takes effort
-not seeing a reason for change (blame negative experiences on the situation or other people
than own personality)
3 person-environment transactions - ANS -*Active Person-Environment Transaction*: person
seeks out compatible environments and avoids incompatible ones
-aggressive person goes to bar where fights are frequent
-introvert avoids social gatherings
*Reactive Person-Environment Transaction*: different people respond differently to the same
situation
-extravert finds party enjoyable
-introvert finds same party unbearable
*Evocative Person-Environment Transaction*: aspect of an individual's personality leads to
behavior that changes the situations he or she experiences
-conscientious person tells group "it's time to get to work"
-disagreeable person starts argument over minor matter
\3 ways personality and situation interact - ANS -1. interdependence
2. selection
3. evocation
\Aggregation - ANS -averaging
allow random influences to cancel each other out
especially important for predicting behavior
(outcome of person-situation debate)
\B-Data (Behavioral Data) - ANS -information that is carefully and systematically recorded from
direct observation
natural/artificial
advantages: range of contexts in the lab
disadvantages: uncertain interpretation
-observer effect
\B-Data Personality Tests - ANS -performance-based or projective tests
useful when can't use S-data (are you smart?)
useful when you don't care about the answer per se, but what it suggests
, \Barnum Effect - ANS -people usually find personal meaning in statements that could apply to
many people
(horoscopes, astrology, etc.)
\basic approaches to personality - ANS -complements>competitors
not One Big Theory
-it's difficult to do everything well
\Basic Criteria for Personality Assessments - ANS -agreement and behavioral prediction
\Biological approach - ANS -understand the mind in terms of the body
aggression: genetic predisposition towards aggression
-evolutionary theory
depression: certain people inherit a genetic susceptibility to depression
-levels of neurotransmitters
\Case Study - ANS -in-depth examination of the life of one person
can yield explanations of particular events, general lessons, and scientific principles
\Causal Force - ANS -a persons determination to be a particular way because they think they
are that way
s-data
(efficacy expectations)
\cohort effect - ANS -may contribute to age differences in cross-sectional studies
\Correlational Study - ANS -seeks to determine whether there is a relationship between to
variables
advantages: allows identification of relationships among variables as they occur naturally
disadvantages: correlation does not indicate causation
-directionality problem
-third variable problem
\Cumulative Continuity Principle - ANS -individual differences become more consistent with age
-environment also becomes more stable as we age
\desires for personality change and obstacles - ANS -desire for change is normal, and usually in
the socially desirable direction
-to make life better
obstacles:
-takes effort
-not seeing a reason for change (blame negative experiences on the situation or other people
than own personality)
