Theories of Personality

How do psychologists define personality?

• Enduring characteristics shown by the majority of human beings

• A person’s patterns of responsiveness that vary across similar situations

• A person’s usual pattern of behavior, feelings, and thoughts

• The unfolding of genetic tendencies toward action

What does the phrase “usual pattern of behavior” mean?

• Behavior characterizes how most people respond to a given situation.

• A person reports that she or he experiences the same emotions most of the time.

• Behavior is regulated by brain activity and genetic tendencies.

• A person acts consistently across time or across situations.

Maria has felt anxious and nervous when she’s been asked to speak in public. Given that these feelings are part of her personality, what is Maria most likely to say when she’s invited to address members of the faculty at their upcoming luncheon?

• “I’d really rather not; thanks all the same.”

• “Sounds great; I’m really looking forward to it!”

• “Would you like me to prepare notes ahead of time or speak extemporaneously?”

• “Sure, I’ll give it a try.”

How is personality shaped?

• Through a combination of genetic tendencies and environmental influences

• Through a person’s conscious decision-making during the first two years of life

• Haphazardly, through a sequence of random events a person might experience

• By a process of reward and punishment introduced early in life

What limitation applies to most theoretical systems of personality?

• Personality has proven to be impossible to measure.

• No personality system can capture all the unique differences among people.

• It has been difficult to identify a core set of personality dimensions.

• Personality is, by definition, an unconscious process.