Definition of Personality

n Consistent behavior patterns and intrapersonal processes originating in the individual

n Emphasizes consistency

n Emphasizes intra- rather than interpersonal processes

n Emphasizes individual as source of patterns

Other considerations

n Collectivist orientations

n Situational causes and cues

n Inconsistency in behavior

n Evolving nature of responses and patterns

Variability in Personality

n Personality encompasses:

n Ways each individual is unique

n Ways some individuals are similar

n Ways all individuals are similar

n  Characteristics may be:

n Consistent over time and situation

n Different across situation

n Evolving over time

Theories

n Advantages of theories

n Help predict behavior

n Help understand behavior

n Help change behavior

n Disadvantages of theories

n Narrow our focus

n Limit what we can see

n Solution – Know many theories

Six Approaches to Personality

n Psychoanalytic

n Trait

n Biological

n Behavioral/Social learning

n Humanistic/Existential

n Cognitive

Characteristics of a Good Theory

n EMPIRICAL VALIDITY (verifiability)

n GENERATIVITY (heuristic value)

n INTERNAL CONSISTENCY (coherence)

n PARSIMONY