Personality Processes
According to research, what’s a good strategy for remembering course material for an exam?
Relating the material to your own life.
What is the difference between the "I" and the "Me"
I” is the observer, and the “Me” is the self being observed
Example: Gloria says, “I see myself as kind and reliable” (observer) while also wondering, “Am I really the kind of person others like?” (self-observer)
A researcher uses only American participants but generalizes results to all people. What major cultural psychology issue is this?
Generalizability problem
What Big Five trait is the strongest predictor of job performance due to its link with goal-setting and reliability?
Conscientiousness
Janet expects criticism and rejection from others and avoids relationships to protect herself from being hurt. What personality disorder does she likely have and why?
Avoidant Personality Disorder, because she avoids social contact due to intense fear of rejection and feelings of inadequacy.
What is the difference between classical and operant conditioning?
Classical involves automatic responses to stimuli; operant involves reinforcement and punishment.
Describe an Idiographic goal.
Unique to the individual pursuing them, like “writing a novel” or “reconnecting with my grandmother.”
Emics: Components of ideas that are specific to a culture
Etics: Components that are shared across cultures
Why do people high in conscientiousness tend to have better physical health outcomes?
They are more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors?
A woman constantly talks about her physical health and beauty in front of a friend undergoing chemotherapy, and seems unaffected by her friend’s feelings. What is her likely diagnosis, and why?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder, because she shows a lack of empathy and a preoccupation with admiration and self-importance.
Define habituation and provide an example.
Habituation is a decrease in response after repeated exposure. Example: Over time, Jessica stops noticing the train passing by her house (i.e., decreasing noise)
At a job interview, Karine describes herself using traits like “organized” and “thoughtful.” What part of the declarative self is she using?
Self-schema
People in individualistic cultures report more self-focused emotions, while those in collectivist cultures report more ______
Other-focused emotions
According to emotionality research, ______ leads to more stress, while ______ promotes optimism and health behaviors.
neuroticism and conscientiousness
Lisa refuses to delegate work, follows rigid routines, and gets upset when things aren’t done “her way.” She spends hours rechecking her work for small errors. What personality disorder fits, and why?
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, because she shows extreme perfectionism, orderliness, and control that interferes with flexibility and efficiency.
Describe observational learning.
Rosie was rejected from grad school. Instead of giving up, she improves her application and plans to reapply. What kind of motivation is she demonstrating?
Developmental motivation
When diagnosing personality disorders, why is it essential to consider cultural context?
Because a behavior that seems extreme in one culture may be normal in another?
In a Strange Situation lab, 1-year-old Jalen clings to his mother before she leaves, cries loudly when she’s gone, and is not easily soothed when she returns. Instead, he seems both angry and desperate for comfort.
Which attachment style is Jalen displaying, and why
Anxious-ambivalent attachment, because he shows distress at separation and mixed reactions upon reunion, seeking closeness but unable to be comforted.
A client lies, manipulates others, and breaks rules without showing remorse. He’s been in trouble since early adolescence. What disorder is this, and why?
Antisocial Personality Disorder, because he exhibits deceitfulness, impulsivity, rule-breaking, and a lack of remorse, beginning in early conduct problems.
What is self-efficacy, and how is it developed?
Self-efficacy refers to one's belief in one's ability to succeed at specific tasks.
Self-efficacy is developed through mastery and feedback.
A psychologist wants to help a client become more confident in social situations. Based on procedural knowledge, what should be the first step?
Provide feedback and practice new behaviors in real situations
Provide an example of outgroup homogeneity bias
You assume all students from another culture act and think the same, while your own group is full of variety.
During the Strange Situation, baby Aria shows little reaction when her mother leaves and ignores her when she returns. Even when picked up, Aria looks away and doesn’t reach out.
Which attachment style is Aria demonstrating, and why?
Avoidant attachment, because she shows little distress during separation and avoids contact upon reunion, indicating emotional self-protection.
Dr. Spitz observes that a teen lies to his parents and immediately labels him as having antisocial personality disorder. What is wrong with this diagnosis, and why?
It is an example of pathologizing behavior because occasional lying in teens is common, and diagnosing a serious disorder requires a consistent pattern of disregard for others, not isolated behavior.