PSYC-305A (D. King)
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Introduction to Personality Psychology
Syllabus Review; Defining Personality; Research Methods & Assessment
Lecture 1
PSYC-305A Personality Psychology
David King
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Larsen & Buss (2013):
Personality is the set of psychological traits and mechanisms
within the individual that is organized and relatively enduringand
that influences his or her interactions with, and adaptations to,
the environment (including the intrapsychic, physical, and social
environment).
What is Personality?
Levels of Analysis
1. Human Nature
2. Individual and Group Differences
3. Individual Uniqueness
PSYC-305A (D. King)
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Human Nature
How we are like all others.
Traits and mechanisms of personality that are typical of our
species and possessed by nearly everyone.
Individual and Group Differences
How we are like some others.
Individual differences refer to ways in which each person is like
some other people (e.g., extraverts, sensations-seekers, high
self-esteem persons).
Group differences refer to ways in which the people of one
group differ from people in another group (e.g., cultural
differences, age differences, gender differences).
Individual Uniqueness
How we are like no others.
Individual uniqueness refers to the fact that every individual has
personal and unique qualities not shared by any other person in
the world.
PSYC-305A (D. King)
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Does Uniqueness Really Exist?
In the sum of our traits and mechanisms;
in their combinations and interactions…
and in our stories…
Levels of Analysis
1. Human Nature
2. Individual and Group Differences
3. Individual Uniqueness
Practical Utility?
Example: 2003-2004 Human Rights Violations
at Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq
Human Nature
All people are capable of violence; the circumstances at the prison
unleashed the dark side of human nature.
Individual differences
Some people are more inclined towards violence while others are more
compliant to authority.
Unique case
Graner’s personal history suggests a unique predisposition toward violence.
PSYC-305A (D. King)
Human nature? Individual
differences? Unique case? Or…?
“You could put virtually anybody in [that situation] and you’re
going to get this kind of evil behavior.”
~ Prof. Phil Zimbardo, Stanford University,
You Can’t be a Sweet Cucumber in a Vinegar Barrel (2005)
“Rotten barrel” (situation) or “rotten apples” (people)?
“This is not American!”
~ George W. Bush
Person vs. Situation
What is temperament?
The innate qualities and characteristics a person is born with.
Typically used to refer to emotionality.
e.g., calm, anxious, nervous
So can you have a “winning” temperament?
Also: nature, character, disposition, makeup
A Brief Look at
Human Intelligence
Historically, intelligence is one of the most hotly debated
topics in psychology.
1. What is intelligence? How is it defined?
Comprises a single or multiple constructs?
2. How is intelligence best measured?
3. To what extent is intelligence inherited?
Similar issues exist with the study of personality.
THE GOAL: To compare the study of human intelligence
to the study of human personality more broadly.
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person’s personality is
projected onto the
ambiguous stimuli.
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