PSYC 2740 Lecture Notes - Testability, Nomothetic, Human Nature
28 Feb 2012
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Document Summary
The set of psychological traits and mechanisms within an individual which is organized and relatively enduring and that influences his or her interactions with and adaptations to the environment. Personality traits refer to an average tendency (ex. someone who is outgoing isn t always outgoing in every situation) We use it to describe how people are different and alike. Traits aren t necessarily categories, they vary on a continuum. People with different personality traits have different decision making and output than others, even with the same input. Traits are organized in a way that certain ones are pronounced at a certain time. Most traits are relatively stable over time, although it may manifest differently. State level: unpleasant emotional arousal when provoked or in danger (how you feel in that moment) Trait level: tendency to respond with anxiety in the anticipation of dangers (how you feel on average)
