The Three Disciplines in Personality Psychology

Personality Research

Research approach not always ‘objective’ content-based decision– Approaches historically associated w/

prominent theories & have been politicized– Different approaches hold different

assumptions about human nature & have different goals for personality research

Personality Research

Cronbach (1957), ‘Individual differences have been an annoyance…to the experimenter.’– What did he mean?

Correlational approach more appropriate for personality research?– Individual differences central (starts where experimental

leaves off)

Clinical & Experimental Attitudes

Clinical: Discovery of totality of person– Idiographic, individual, humanistic, speculative

Experimental: Control, general laws– Nomothetic, typical person, scientific, objective

Two opposing cultures

Clinical Approach

Intensive study of small n– Growth, development, change, pathology (L)

Psychology of the disordered personality Interpretation of ambiguous phenomenon

– Dreams, random thoughts, slips of tongue No standardized assessment & Hos untestable

» Projective tests, interviews, therapy» Poor reliability, validity

Clinical Approach

Rorschach Inkblots TAT (Thematic Apperception Test)

Experimental Approach

Systematic manipulation of Vs – Reject clinical, correlational as speculative

» Projective tests, Qaires

– Wundt, Pavlov, Watson, Skinner Process (T: isolate, manipulate causes of behavior)

Limited Vs & external validity

Correlational Approach

Emphasizes individual differences– Relies on introspection (Qaires)

– Assumes people accurately report behavior

– Strong tradition of measurement (Galton)

Galton’s Anthropometric Lab: London: 1884

Correlational Approach

Structure & process– Dimensions of personality key (Spearman)– How dimensions interrelate & impact behavior

Self-Reports

Central to correlational approach & personality psychology– Controversy regarding their reliability and

validity– People may lie or distort self, not know or

remember past behaviors– Pros Cons

Activity 2: Self-Report

Describe the arguments for & against self-reports.

What variables impact the strength of self-other agreement (see Funder et al., 1995, p. 12-13)?

Does self-other agreement indicate the validity of self-reports? Explain.

PLEASE TURN THIS IN AT THE END OF CLASS!

Reaction Paper 1: Self-Reports

Should self-reports be used in personality psychology? Explain your position.

PLEASE TURN THIS IN AT THE END OF CLASS!

Next Class

Read Pervin (Controversies) Chapter 11