Personality Theories Review (Trait & Social-Cognitive)

🕵️‍♂️ Detective Time! Trait theories are on the case, but there are two suspects they're NOT focusing on. Can you identify them? 🕵️‍♀️

• conscious motives

• the unconscious mind

• stable & enduring patterns of behavior.

• lack of growth opportunities due to unresolved childhood conflicts.

Let's dive into the world of personality! True or False? Compared to the deep and complex psychodynamic measures, the more straightforward trait theorists' tools like personality inventories and the MMPI are indeed valid ways to measure our unique personalities.

• True

• False

True or False? A person’s average traits persist over time and are predictable across many situations, yet traits cannot predict behavior in any one particular situation.

 

• True

• False

Let's dive into a brain teaser! Do you think social cognitive gurus like Albert Bandura would nod in agreement with the behavioral perspective on personality? 🤔

• Absolutely!

• No way!

Imagine this scenario and guess the cool social-cognitive concept at play:

      

Meet Brad, the life of every party (personality trait). Brad's superpower of friendliness doesn't just make him popular; it transforms his environment. People flock to him because of his warm vibe. And here's the kicker: the more Brad chats (behavior), the more he fuels his own belief in his friendliness. It's a cycle! Plus, the places and situations Brad ends up in seem to always boost his social butterfly status, pushing him to mingle even more.

• Linguistic determinism

• Reciprocity norm

• Reciprocal determinism

• Self-efficacy

Answer explanation

Brad's traits, behavior, and environment interact with each other to create Brad's personality.

Brad is friendly = more people are likely to interact with Brad.

More people interacting with Brad = reinforces Brad's friendliness AND influences Brad's behavior (his willingness to talk with others).

Ever noticed how you might give yourself a pat on the back more for victories than feel the sting of defeat? That's the (a)   at play! And, have you ever felt like you're under a spotlight, assuming everyone notices every little thing about you? Say hello to the (b)   !

• self-serving bias

• spotlight effect

Let's get our facts straight! Is it true or false? Self-efficacy is all about feeling like a superstar (or not so much) in terms of self-worth, whereas self-esteem is like being the boss of a task, feeling totally competent.

• True

• False

Can you experience both overall low self-esteem and high self-efficacy? Explain why or why not.