PSY BEH 11C Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Extraversion And Introversion, Agreeableness, Reaction Formation
29 May 2016
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Document Summary
Traits define a person"s predominant thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Five personality dimensions have been identified extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience. There has been debate, however, about how useful the big five dimensions are for describing personalities across cultures. One challenge to trait theories is the personality paradox: people often behave less consistently than might be expected. Part of the explanation for this paradox is the power of the situation. Traits grow to some extent out of the individual"s temperament, or characteristic emotional or behavioral pattern. Twin studies of the big five dimensions confirm a high heritability. In the case of extraversion, genetic influences may depend on each individual"s level of central nervous system reactivity, with introverts more reactive than extraverts. A similar logic has been used to explain sensation seekingand inhibited temperament. Studies of national character underline the importance of cultural differences in personality.
