Personality

Personality is the sum total of an individual's characteristics which make him unique.

• NATURE 
  • behaviour is a product of the genes of our parents so is genetically inherited
• NURTURE
  • behaviour is learned through observation, imitation of behaviours and reinforcement and exposure to environments
• INTERACTION
  • when nature and nurture are combined to produce behaviour

• a trait is a characteristic of personality
• traits are stable, enduring and inherited
• traits are instincts
• behaviour is the function of personality

There are two Trait theories:

1. PERSONALITY TYPES Eysenck and Cattell

2. NARROW BAND THEORY Girdano

• EXTROVERT
  • sociable, outgoing, like being in group, aroused slowly, low sensitivity of RAS
• INTROVERT
  • shy, reserved, prefer isolation, aroused quickly, high sensitivity of RAS
• NEUROTIC
  • extreme and unpredictable emotions, unreliable mood swings, high stress, slow recovery from stress
• STABLE
  • predictable emotions, predictable moods, low stress, recover from stress quickly

RETICULAR ACTIVATING SYSTEM (RAS)

• area of brain associated with arousal
• introverts have higher sensitivity of RAS > more likely to become overaroused

4 PERSONALITY TYPES

• neurotic and introverted
• stable and introverted
• stable and extroverted
• neurotic and extroverted 

PSYCHOTICISM

• a measure of how tough or tender minded people are

Girdano - 2 personality types

TYPE A - ATHLETE

• highly competitive
• works at rapid pace
• high levels of stress
• desire to succeed
• needs to be in control

TYPE B - NON ATHLETE

• non competitive
• unambitious
• less prone to stress
• works more slowly
• doesn't enjoy control

• behaviour is a reaction to a situation
• we learn how to deal with situations by observing others

BANDURA:

• observation
• modelling
• social reinforcement

CONDITIONS THAT SUPPORT SOCIAL LEARNING

• observed behaviour of role model
• a need to adopt norms of new culture
• when role model holds power and authority
• when the observer and role model are the same gender

• behaviour is the function of personality x environment
• combination of trait theory and social learning theory
• behaviour is determined by traits AND experiences
• most realistic explanation

Hollander

• rings represent structure of personality - layered
• ring boundaries widen as you get closer to core > harder to break through

 surrounded by social environment

PSYCHOLOGICAL CORE

• real you
• impossible for others to reach
• permanent beliefs and values

TYPICAL RESPONSES

• usual manner in which response is made
• learned and stored
• reflects nature of core

ROLE RELATED BEHAVIOUR

• surface of personality
• changeable
• may not be typical / normal eg. one off actions, unlike normal personality (AGGRESSION)
• determined by perception of environment

• behaviour is unpredictable
• sports performers change in different situations