PSYB30H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Nomothetic, Psychoticism, Trait Theory
Document Summary
Chapter 2: personality traits: a good theory (22-43) Behavioural residue: physical traces left behind by everyday actions that are hints or cues to the personality of the occupant. Traits: describe a person"s typical style of thinking, feeling, and acting in different kinds of situations and at different times; measured over a continuum. Temporary states, attitudes, and physical attributes not considered personality traits. Traits can"t be measured directly, so psychologists think of them as hypothetical concepts. Other psychologists see traits as internal, cal properties and view a trait as a capacity that"s present even when trait"s not being directly expressed. Two approaches to the study of personality traits. Ideographic approach: goal is to understand personality of a single individual with all of their quirks or idiosyncrasies and characteristics that make them unique. Psychologist stats with what a single individual thinks is important to know about them and seeks to answer what unique combo of traits best describes this person.
