EXAM 3 NOTES - 1 Chapter 8: How the Parts Fit Together...

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Chapter 8: How the Parts Fit Together
 Personality structure:
o
Static, enduring, long-term divisions of personality into areas according to
the stable and distinct functions, processes, or other qualities of
personality.
o Provides an opposition to personality dynamics
o Psychodynamic theory: abiding patterns in the flaux of processes.
Interested in the consciousness and self-awareness and emphasize what
is conscious or not.
o Trait theory : structure can take on a math meaning. A group of large,
important, enduring traits. Emphasize personality types are based on
combinations of trait dimensions.
o Personality theory: structure was the organization or patterning of
personality’s elements.
o Systems-orientated theory: look at ways of employing the different
structural divisions in an integrated fashion.
o Different theoretical perspectives call for different kinds of structural
divisions of the system.
o Most common way personality is divided is according to its major
function.
 Maps of the US:
o To understand how we can use different structural models to describe the
same personality phenomena, think of how we can look at different ways
of looking at the US.

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 Generalities about Structures:
o Multiple valid maps are possible for complex systems
o Different maps provide opportunities to emphasize different attributes
about the system
o Not all maps may be equally valid
o There are many ways of dividing personality on a structural basis.
 Criteria for Structural Divisions:
o Comprehensiveness: divisions cover everything or nearly so. Covers all-
important parts. Not missing anything (pointing out flaws in theories).
o Scientific foundation: each division should be scientifically defensible.
Occur in healthy personality and emotions are observable. Each division
should describe a scientifically plausible division of personality.
o Distinctiveness: each division should be unique, different from the rest.
Should not overlap. Motives & emotions are distinct, moods & emotions
are not. Divisions divide areas that are different from each other.
o Utility : the division should help with a scientific project. Divide
personality into few large, useful areas. Less than 3: too simplistic. More
than 7: too complex/undermine particular areas.
 Big 2 and Big 3:
o
Emerged from a scientific debate.
o
Cattell challenged Eysenck by creating a test with 16 factors instead of 2.
o
Cattell and Eysenck debated whether there were 2 or 16 factors.
o
Cattell’s 16 factors corresponded well to Eysenck’s 2 dimensions 
became known as the big/super factors.
o Big 2: Eysenck’s 2 factor model:
 Neuroticism – Stability
 Extraversion – Introversion
o Big 3: (vs. Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire)
 Eysenck’s model: added psychoticism – tender mildness
 Psychoticism: solitary, uncaring, troublesome

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 Big 5 Model:
o Purpose : organize traits. Has a unique procedure for selecting test items.