PSYCH 202 1st Edition Lecture 2-Defense Mechanisms-We measure individual differences scientifically to explore "constructs"oConstructs: theoretical-hypothetical ideas for which we seek evidence via the scientific method-Trait Model: measures individual differences in personality constructs with objective self-report testsoObjective: has different featuresoProjective: ambiguous stimuli-Could be shown picture or ink blot and all people have to say what they seeoBig-Five Personality Test-Extraversion = superordinate traits-Correlation between trait and actionoPersonality "traits" represent important "individual differences"-Traits are internal, stable (reliable), dispositional characteristics which reflect the "individual's distinct and relatively enduring pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors"-Traits affect our:Cognition (thoughts)-ThinkingAffect (feelings)Actions (behaviors, acting)-Traits pre-disposeTraits predispose different types of cognitive, affective, and interpersonal behavior-They affect what we focus onThey predispose individual persons to have uniquely different experiences of self and other-Traits develop early and are rooted in genetics and temperament:Traits are developed in first months of life from genesTrait development is biological-What does personality have to do with your happiness?Higher optimismSociability: best way to be happy (have good social relations)oLOT-R Test-Dispositional optimism-Standardization of items and conditions of measurement: questions same for every person taking test-Development of quantitative norms: mean, standard deviationNumerical associations-Reliability-Validity-1 SD is 68% of peopleoAttributional Style Questionnaire-Make judgments-Test of optimism and pessimism-How you think about good and bad events that happen to youoDefensive Pessimism-A strategy used by anxious people to help them manage their anxiety so they can work productively. They lower their expectation to help prepare themselves for the worstoStrategic Optimism-used by people who aren't anxious. Individuals using this strategy set high expectations, and then actively avoid thinking much about what might happen-**Pessimists don’t perform any worse on tasks than optimistsoUCLA-LonelinessoFive-Factor Model (*CANOE*OCEAN*)-Most dominant current psychometric measurement perspective in personality psychology-NeuroticismConfident, stable, calm-ExtraversionOutgoing, sociable, confident, lively, talkative-Openness (to experience)-AgreeablenessLikeable, friendly, easy to get along with, highly adaptable-ConscientiousnessThoughtful, on time, do what they say they will, organizedoBig-Five Superordinate Level: Neuroticism-Subordinate trait level:AnxietyAngerDepressionSelf-consciousnessImmoderationVulnerabilityoPsychometric Research on Big-Five-Stability/reliabilityoThe Psychometric/trait/individual differences perspective is a largely descriptive enterprise:-While rooted in scientific principles of measurement (standardization, reliability, validity), no overarching explanatory perspectives are prominent-Instead of explanation, most of these systems purport to be useful in describing core features of persons-Standardized, reliable and valid descriptions lead to useful predictionoEysenck originally posited 3 "superordinate" personality traits-Emotional stability v instability-Extraversion v introversion-Psychoticism (NOT ACTUALLY)-Psychometric Research on Big FiveoStability/reliability-Stability "coefficient"**-Validity?oDoes the result mean