PSYB30H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Impulsivity, Factor V, Twin Study
Document Summary
Traits: describe a person"s typical style of thinking, feeling, and acting in different kinds of situations and at different times. There are commonalities in reactions to different situations between different people, as well as differences: because of the concept of traits. Temporary states (emotions), attitudes (liberal) and physical attributes are not personality traits. Traits are measured on a continuum level of low and high. Some psychologists look at traits as pure descriptions of behavior. Others see traits as internal, causal properties: trait is a capacity. Two approaches to the study of personality traits. Idiographic approach: to understand the personality of a single individual. Start with what a single individual thinks is important to know about him or her: case studies are used as well as other methods to avoid biases. Nomothetic approach: goal is to find universal concept that apply to everyone; traits that describe all people/applied to anyone. Idiographic and nomothetic overlap and contribute to human personality understanding.
