PSY E243 Lecture Notes - Lecture 30: Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Conscientiousness, Authoritarianism
Document Summary
Trait psychology traditions (types of trait approaches) Single trait approach: focus on how individual traits influence behavior. Many trait approach: focus on the trait determinants of specific behaviors. Complex behaviors often driven by groups of traits. Essential trait approach: focus on traits that are maximally predictive of behavior. E. g. , big 5 core traits that are supportive of people"s behaviors. Typological approach: focus on qualitative, rather than quantitative differences between people. Extract types based on different configurations of traits. Optimism: a general tendency to expect favorable outcomes for oneself. Less pain, fewer physical symptoms, and better overall physical functioning. Less likely to be re-hospitalized following coronary bypass surgery. Lower mortality and more likely to survive major illness. Stress can have deleterious consequences for health. Positively correlated with planning, positive reframing, acceptance, humor, and negatively associated with denial and behavioral disengagement. Optimists also smoke and drink less, exercise more, and eat healthier foods.
