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Personality Traits and Behavioral Observations in Research

This mini quiz explores different data collection methods, test construction methods, and the criteria for personality traits. It also delves into the Single-Trait Approach and uses the example of Authoritarianism to illustrate how a trait can tie together diverse behaviors.

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Personality Traits and Behavioral Observations in Research

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  1. Mini Quiz 1. Data that derive from the researcher's direct observation of what the subject does in some predefined context are • a. L data. • b. I data. • c. S data. • d. B data.

  2. Mini Quiz • 2. _____________________ ask a respondent to interpret a meaningless, ambiguous stimulus in order to access the inner workings of the person's mind. • a. Rationally constructed tests • b. Projective tests • c. Factor analytic tests • d. Objective tests

  3. Mini Quiz • 3. The basis of the _____________ method of test construction is to come up with items that seem directly, obviously, and logically related to what it is you wish to measure. • a. rational • b. empirical • c. philosophical • d. factor analytic

  4. Mini Quiz 4. For any rationally constructed personality scale to work, it must satisfy which of the following conditions? • a. The items on the form must all be valid indicators of what the tester is trying to measure. • b. The person who completes the form must be willing to accurately report his or her self-assessment. • c. Each item must mean the same thing to the person who fills out the form as it did to the psychologist who wrote it. • d. All of the above conditions must be satisfied for the scale to work.

  5. Mini Quiz • 5) Which one? • A) B • B) D • C) A • D) C

  6. What is a trait of personality? • A “unit” of measurement • Allport presents 8 Criteria that define a personality trait

  7. Traits • 1) A trait has more than nominal existence • Traits are real!

  8. Traits • 2) A trait is more generalized than a behavior lie steal cheat

  9. Traits • 2) A trait is more generalized than a behavior lie steal Honesty cheat

  10. Traits • 2) A trait is more generalized than a behavior • There are systems of behaviors • Traits my embrace anywhere between 2 to hundreds of behaviors

  11. Traits • 3) A trait is dynamic • A trait CAUSES behavior, it is not just a summary of behavior lie steal YES! Honesty cheat

  12. Traits • 3) A trait is dynamic • A trait CAUSES behavior, it is not just a summary of behavior lie steal NO! Honesty cheat

  13. Traits • 4) The existence of a trait my be established empirically or statistically • Statistical techniques can be used to examine coherence among behaviors

  14. Traits • 5) Traits are only relatively independent of each other • It will be difficult to isolate “fundamental” traits that are completely independent of each other

  15. Traits • 6) A trait of personality, psychologically considered, is not the same as a moral quality.

  16. Traits • 7) Acts, and even habits, that are inconsistent with a trait are not proof of the non-existence of the trait • Not realistic to expect perfect consistency • Some traits not important in some people • Traits interact with each other within a person • Context also determines behavior

  17. Traits • 8) A trait may be viewed either in the light of the personality which contains it, or in the light of its distribution in the population at large. • Some traits are unique and some are universal • Can examine either • Universal traits across people • Unique blends of traits within a person

  18. Using Traits to Understand Behavior • Different approaches: • The Single-Trait Approach • The Many-Trait Approach • The Essential-Trait Approach • The Simultaneous-Trait Approach

  19. The Single Trait Approach • An in-depth research program of a single trait

  20. Questionnaire

  21. Authoritarianism • Historical context • Nazi Germany • Philosophical roots • Fromm • To avoid choices people turn their will over to external authorities • “I am just following orders” • In the 1930s created the “F – Scale”

  22. Authoritarianism

  23. Conventionalism Authoritarianism

  24. Authoritarian submission • Conventionalism Authoritarianism

  25. Authoritarian submission • Conventionalism Authoritarian aggression Authoritarianism

  26. Authoritarian submission • Conventionalism Authoritarian aggression Anti – ‘intraception” Authoritarianism

  27. Authoritarian submission • Conventionalism Authoritarian aggression Anti – ‘intraception” Authoritarianism Superstition

  28. Authoritarian submission • Conventionalism Authoritarian aggression Anti – ‘intraception” Authoritarianism Superstition Power and toughness

  29. Authoritarian submission • Conventionalism Authoritarian aggression Anti – ‘intraception” Authoritarianism Superstition Destructiveness and cynicism Power and toughness

  30. Authoritarian submission • Conventionalism Authoritarian aggression Anti – ‘intraception” Authoritarianism Projectivity Superstition Destructiveness and cynicism Power and toughness

  31. Authoritarian submission • Conventionalism Authoritarian aggression Sexual repression Anti – ‘intraception” Authoritarianism Projectivity Superstition Destructiveness and cynicism Power and toughness

  32. Authoritarianism • Note how this trait ties together many diverse behaviors • Also note how it can explain inconsistencies in behavior • A person VERY respectful to a superior may be cruel to those who rank lower

  33. Authoritarianism • Over 4,000 articles on this trait! • Findings: • No relation between authoritarianism and political party (note: communism findings) • Note: not conservatism, but pseudoconservatism • e.g., taxes abolished, no trials, etc.

  34. Authoritarianism Findings: • Society is in turmoil, authoritarians more likely to support “strong” political candidates • When standard of living declines authoritarians more likely to favor restrictions of welfare and bans on abortion

  35. Authoritarianism Roots: • Child-rearing practices • Regularly and severely punished • Learn to fear, obey, and be unquestioning of authority • Genetic • Biological siblings = .35 • Adopted siblings = .05

  36. Questionnaire

  37. Say • “I am going out now, I won’t be back all day. If anyone comes by, just tell them I’m not here” • Happy • Sad • Mad

  38. Self-Monitoring • How much do “monitor” your social setting and alter your behaviors accordingly • High SM • Monitor every situation • Look for cues how to act, alter behavior • Low SM • Consistent behavior regardless of situation

  39. Self-Monitoring • Findings: • Actors tend to be high self-monitors • Mental patients tend to be low • High SM interview better for jobs • High SM more likely to lie to go on dates • Jokes with a laugh track • Masturbate more often (r = .50; only for women)

  40. The Many-Trait Approach • Examine many traits simultaneously to determine what type of person tends to perform certain behaviors

  41. The Many-Trait Approach • Commonly use the California Q-Sort • Forces you to compare traits to each other • Rank order • Healthy • Wealthy • Wise

  42. Findings of the Many-Trait Approach • 64 undergraduates completed the SM scale • Friends and family q-sorted the subjects

  43. Self-Monitoring • High SM • Skilled in social techniques • Talkative • Self-dramatizing • Initiates humor • Verbally fluent • Expressive in face • Has social poise and presence

  44. Self-Monitoring • Low Self Monitors • Distrustful • Perfectionist • Touchy and irritable • Anxious • Introspective • Independent

  45. Findings of the Many-Trait Approach • Drug use and adolescent health • Shedler & Block, 1990 • 101 subjects • Age 11 – parents completed a q-sort • Age 18 – Drug usage measured • Abstainers, experimenters, frequent users

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