PSPE3724 Personality Psychology Summary (Chapters 1–4)

PSPE 3724 Summary of Chapter 1-4
Contents
Main Theoretical Perspectives on Personality — Critical Summary.....................4
Why There's No Universal Personality Theory......................................................5
Chapter 2: A historical context for South African Personality Psychology Research.. .8
✨ Mnemonic Options.............................................................................................14
1. “Please Protect Black History Books”..............................................................14
Chapter 3: African perspectives of Personality Psychology.......................................15
🔹 Introduction........................................................................................................15
1. Individualistic / Independent Self (Western view)...............................................15
2. Collectivistic / Relational Self (African view).......................................................16
Chapter 4: Research Methods in Personality Psychology.........................................19
3. Validity..............................................................................................................19
4. Reliability..........................................................................................................19
5. Replicability & Generalisability........................................................................19
6. Main Objectives of Personality Research........................................................19
7. Measure methods Commonly Used in Personality Research.........................20
Essay question: Considering what you learned in Chapter 2 about using
psychology in South Africa to marginalise, other, and discriminate, discuss the
cultural sensitivity of tests used in South Africa. Discuss how this speaks to the
cultural sensitivity of test use in South Africa. I can study new norms and tools....23
1. Importance: Why cultural sensitivity is important................................................23
2. Challenges..........................................................................................................23
3. Solution: Procedures to advance fairness, reliability, and validity......................23
4. Measurement invariance.....................................................................................24
5. New norms..........................................................................................................24
6. New tools.............................................................................................................24
7. Awareness of Social -cultural factors: manipulate validity..................................24
📌 Memory Summary (for quick study)......................................................................24
✨ Mnemonic Options.............................................................................................25
1. “I Can Study New Norms And tools”................................................................25
1. Why multiple methods are important...................................................................25
2. How multiple methods are used..........................................................................25
-Experimental Methods...........................................................................................26

, -Non-Experimental Methods....................................................................................26
-Why combine both?...............................................................................................26
3. Link to cultural diversity in South Africa..............................................................26
4. Benefits of using multiple methods.....................................................................26
📌 Quick Study Summary...........................................................................................26

, Chapter 1: What is Personality Psychology?
Specific objectives (Textbook p. 23)
 Discuss the early beginnings of personality theory.
 Offer a critical discussion of theoretical perspectives on personality.
 Outcome 3: Comprehensively explain McAdams and Pal’s five principles and
their relationship to each other. (Not official outcome) (2023 Test1 memo)

1. Your parent sees on your proof of registration that you are registered
for Personality Psychology. Amazed, they ask what the universal theory
of personality is. Luckily, you have already attended your first class and
have a better sense of what personality psychology entails. Write an
essay explaining the early beginnings of personality theory,
ultimately explaining why there is no universal personality theory.
[12 Marks]"
✨ Key Points for “Early Beginnings of Personality Theory” Essay
Introduction
Personality has been studied by various theorists over time.
Each tried to explain what personality is and how it develops.

1. Hippocrates – Four Humours (Ancient beginnings)
First attempt to theorise personality.
Personality explained through four body fluids (humours):
Blood → Sanguine (optimistic, social).
Yellow bile → Choleric (irritable, aggressive).
Black bile → Melancholic (sad, analytical).
Phlegm → Phlegmatic (calm, passive).
These humours affect emotions and behaviour.

2. Emergence of Psychology (19th century)
Late 1800s → Psychology recognised as a scientific discipline.
Led to new branches → including Personality Psychology.

3. Gordon Allport (1938)
Identified two main approaches to studying personality:
Psychology (scientific, research-based).
Literature (descriptive, based on human observation).
Believed both are necessary to understand personality.
Advocated for long-term, in-depth studies of individuals (case studies).

4. Jan Smuts (1926) – Personology
South African psychologist.
Called for personology → studying the whole person in depth.