personality theories

• Is personality considered the sum or some of its components?

  Sum of everything that makes you you.
• What are the two main camps explaining personality?

  • Nature
  • Nurture
• How do proponents of the nature perspective explain personality?

  They argue that personality is determined by innate genetic traits.
• What does the nurture perspective emphasize as the primary determinant of personality?

  What a person learns through social learning or socialization.
• What is the nature versus nurture debate in personality theory?

  • Debate on the relative importance of innate genetic traits (nature) and social learning (nurture) in determining personality
  • Acknowledges a combination of nature and nurture influence
• What does it mean when personality is described as innate?

  It means personality is present at birth, biological, and essentially genetic.
• According to trait theory, is personality stable or does it change over time?

  It argues personality is stable and consistent, not changing over time.
• What phenomena does the nature debate argue for regarding personality?

  Personality is innate, stable, and enduring.
• What does the nurture perspective argue regarding personality?

  • Personality is the sum of experiences
  • Behavior is learned through modeling
• What role does modeling play in the nurture perspective of personality?

  Behavior is learned through observing and copying models around the individual.
• What are significant others in the context of social learning theory?

  People such as parents, peers, coaches, and teachers whom individuals tend to copy.
• According to social learning theory, how is personality formed?

  Personality is learned through observing and copying behaviors of significant others.
• How does considering the balance between nature and nurture affect personality evaluation?

  • Helps assess both innate traits and learned experiences
  • Allows for a more holistic understanding of personality development
• What are the positive aspects of trait theory in personality?

  • Easy to understand
  • Good predictor of behavior
  • Provides measurable personality inventories
  • Explains the biological role in personality
• What are the weaknesses of trait theory in personality?

  • Too simplistic
  • Ignores learning and personality change
  • Cannot explain personality change over time
  • Twin studies are inconsistent
• What are the positive aspects of social learning theory in personality?

  • Explains environmental influences on personality
  • Gives control over personality change
  • Explains why some models are copied more than others (significant others)
• What are the limitations of social learning theory in personality?

  • Ignores genetic traits and biological factors
  • Impossible to measure all learning experiences
  • Cannot be used as a reliable predictor
  • Does not account for consistent behaviors that do not change
  • Learning does not always change behavior
• What is the formula for Lewin’s Interactionist Theory?

  B=f(P x E)- behaviour is function of personality and environment
• What does Lewin’s Interactionist Theory suggest about behaviour in sport?

  Behaviour is caused by both a person’s personality traits and the environment or situation they are in.
• Give an example of Lewin’s theory in a sporting context.

  A normally calm player may act aggressively in a high-pressure final due to the intense atmosphere.
• How does Lewin’s theory help coaches in sport?

  It helps coaches predict and adapt behaviour by considering both the athlete’s personality and the sporting situation.
• Which model does Lewin’s theory support and how?

  It supports Hollander’s 3-layer model by showing that role-related behaviour changes based on environment, even if the core personality stays the same.
• Who proposed the three-layer model of personality in sport?

  Hollander – he explained how personality is influenced by both traits and the situation.
• What are the three layers of Hollander’s model?

  1. Psychological Core
  2. Typical Responses
  3. Role-Related Behaviour
• What is the psychological core in Hollander’s model?

  The true self – stable, internal traits, values and beliefs (e.g. being naturally calm or honest).
• What are typical responses in Hollander’s model?

  Usual ways of behaving in specific situations, based on the core personality (e.g. normally calm under pressure).
• What is role-related behaviour in Hollander’s model?

  The most changeable layer – behaviour that depends on the situation or role (e.g. shouting as a team captain, even if calm by nature).
• How does Hollander’s model support the interactionist approach?

  It shows that personality (core) interacts with the environment, especially at the role-related level.
• Give a sporting example of Hollander’s interactionist model.

  A quiet person (core) usually avoids conflict (typical response), but argues with the referee when acting as team captain (role-related behaviour).