Part 4: Approaches to the Study of Personality

• Approached to the Study of Personality

  • How measure/study/evaluate/assess personality 
  • Trait approach 
  • Situational approach
  • Interactionist approach 
  • Trait + situation = state; influence performance
• Trait Approach

  • B = f(P)
  • TRAIT = a relatively stable disposition to behave in a certain way; traits are the fundamental units of personality - How you generally act or behave
• Trait Approach

  • Predisposed to acting a certain way (doesn’t mean always do), how generally do
  • Help characterise who you are 
  • Varying level of these traits 
  • Are learned; not born w/ these personality traits 
  • Receive messages that influence these 
  • Good predictor of overall personality, but not completely accurate. Situation can interfere as well
• Situational Approach 

  • B = f(E)
  • Personality & behaviour is determined largely by the social environment
  • Draws from Social Learning Theory, which explains behaviour in terms of observational learning (modelling) & social reinforcement (feedback)
• Situational Approach

  • How behave is based on situation
  • Modelling/copy people that we like or respect (to an extent)
  • Also getting feedback/rewarded/punished for behaviours 
  • Modify who we are to increase chances for positive reinforcement 
  • So act in a way to avoid being criticised or punished 
  • Drives us to modify how we act
• Interactionist Approach 

  • B = f(PxE)
  • Situation and person are co-determinants of personality & behaviour
  • Both play a role, doesn’t mean they are equal (not 50/50)
  • Trait + situation = state; influence performance
• Interactionist Approach

  • Trait + Situation = State
  • Influences performance