Saligan, Maureen
assumptions continue to build
3 PSY B
Introduction
Personality
 from Latin word persona means
theatrical mask worn by Roman
actors in Greek dramas.
 project false appearance.
 permanent traits and unique
characteristics that gives
consistency and individuality.
Traits
 individual differences in behavior.
 consistent behavior overtime.
 stable behavior across situations.
 patterns are different for every
persons (unique, common to
some group, or shared by the
entire species).
Characteristics
 unique qualities of individual
(attributes like temperament,
physique, and intelligence).
Theory
 used to generate research and
organize observations.
1. set of assumptions (can’t fill
all the requirements of an
adequate theory).
2. set of related assumptions
(generate meaningful
hypotheses nor possess
internal consistency).
3.
and reshape the original
theory.
4. logical deductive reasoning
sufficient precision and logical
consistency to permit
scientists to deduce clearly
stated hypotheses.
5. testable possibility in the
future that might develop the
necessary means to test it.
 set of related assumptions that
allows to use logical deductive
reasoning to formulate testable
hypotheses.
Relatives of Theory
1. Philosophy
 epistemology is the nature of
knowledge.
 tool used by scientists to pursuit
of knowledge.
2. Speculation
 closely tied to empirically
gathered data and to science.
 speculation and empirical
observation are the two essential
cornerstones of theory building.
 Science is concerned with
observation and classification of
data. Verify general laws through
the testing of hypotheses.
3. Hypothesis
 educated guess or prediction
enough for its validity to be tested
through scientific method.
 deductive reasoning (going from
the general to the specific) —
derive testable hypotheses from
 a useful theory and then test
these hypotheses.
 inductive reasoning (going from
the specific to the general) —
alters the theory to reflect these
results.
4. Taxonomy
 classification of things according
to their natural relationships.
 capable of suggesting
hypotheses and offering
explanations for research results.
 evolve into theories when they
begin to generate testable
hypotheses and to explain
research findings.
What makes a Theory Useful?
1. Generates Research
 stimulate and guide further
research.
 Descriptive research,
expands existing theory,
concerned with the
measurement, labeling,
and categorization units.
 Hypothesis testing, leads
to indirect verification of
the usefulness of the
theory.
2. Falsifiable
 precise enough to suggest
research that may either
support or fail to support
its major tenets.
 accountable
experimental results.
3. Organizes data
 capable of integrating what
is currently known about
human behavior and
personality development
 organize research data
that are not incompatible
with each other.
4. Guides Action
 guide the practitioner over
the rough course of day-
to-day problem.
5. Internally Consistent
 components are logically
compatible.
 uses language in a
consistent manner.
 Operational definition
defines units in terms of
observable events or
behaviors that can be
measured.
6. Parsimonious
 general, simple,
straightforward theories
are more useful than ones
that bog down under the
weight of complicated
concepts and esoteric
language.
Dimensions for a Concept Of Humanity
1. determinism versus free choice
 shapes their way of
looking at people and
colors their concept of
humanity.
2. pessimism versus optimism
 determinism tend to be
pessimistic, whereas those
to who believe in free choice
are usually optimistic.
3. causality versus teleology
 causality holds behavior
that function as past
experiences.
  teleology is explanation of with other inventories that
behavior in terms of future do not measure that
goals or purposes. construct.
4. conscious versus unconscious  Discriminant validity it
determinants of behavior discriminates between two
 divides personality groups of people known to
theorists is their attitude. be different.
5. biological versus social 2. Predictive Validity extent
influences on personality that a test predicts some
 more specific element of future behavior.
this issue is heredity
versus environment.
6. uniqueness versus similarities
 salient feature of people Psychodynamic Theories
their individuality, and their Freud: Psychoanalysis
common characteristics.
Reliability
Overview of Psychoanalytic Theory
 is a measuring instrument
that extent to which it  twin cornerstones of
yields consistent results. psychoanalysis; sex and
aggression.
Validity
 theory was spread beyond its
 instrument that measures Viennese origins, many of whom
what it is supposed to romanticized Freud as a nearly
measure. mythological and lonely hero.
1. Construct validity  brilliant command of language
instrument measures enabled him to present his
some hypothetical theories in exciting manner.
construct. They are
Biography of Sigmund Freud
hypothetical constructs
that should relate to  born either on March 6 or May 6,
observable behavior. 1856.
Types of construct validity;  born in Freiberg, Moravia which
 Convergent validity scores is now part of the Czech
on that instrument Republic.
correlate highly with  firstborn child of Jacob and
scores on a variety of valid Amalie Nathanson Freud.
measures of that same  entered University of Vienna
construct. Medical School with no intention
 Divergent validity low or of practicing medicine.
insignificant correlations
Levels of Mental life
1. Unconscious
 consists of drives and
instincts that are beyond
awareness.
 unconscious processes
originate from two
sources: (1) repression, or
the blocking out of anxiety
-filled experiences and (2)
phylogenetic endowment,
or inherited experiences
that lie beyond an
individual’s personal
experience.
2.