Personality

• personality is a unique psychological make-up
• what are the two theories of a personality?

  1. trait (nature)
  2. social learning (nurture)
• what is trait theory?

  • made up of different traits inherited from parental genes
  • genetically determined
  • stable, enduring and consistent making it predictable
• B = F(P)
• what are the drawbacks to trait theory?

  • not always predictable as people adapt and change behaviour
  • particular environmental situations can shape an individuals personality
• what is social learning theory?

  • we develop personality through socialisation and the environment
  • significant others, MKO's, media and culture all are factors
• if a behaviour is reinforced by an MKO there is a high probability it will be repeated in the future, this means it becomes our dominant response
• social learning theory is heavily linked to observational learning (bandura)
• how is behaviour more likely to be copied in a social learning personality?

  • behaviour is reinforced by MKO
  • behaviour is successful
  • vicarious experience
  • MKO is same gender
  • performer is motivated
• bandura states personality is carved through what process?

  observe - identify - reinforce - copy
• what does social learning not take into account?

  • genetically inherited factors
  • certain characteristics can not be learnt
  • significant others who display dysfunctional behaviour can be negative influence
• the interactionist approach to personality combines trait and social learning
• lewins states interactionist approach by B = F(PxE)
• what were hollanders three features of a personality?

  1. the core
  2. typical responses
  3. role-related behaviour
• what are features of the core? (hollander)

  • values and beliefs of individual
  • stable
  • deep rooted
• what are features of typical responses? (hollander)

  • how we behave in specific situations
  • usually inherent
• what are features of role-related behaviour? (hollander)

  • performer may behave differently in accordance to changing environment
  • external meaning it is dynamic and changeable
  • directly related to environment