correlations small =.10 medium =.30 large =.50 basic steps 1) create a test 2) validate the test 3)...

Correlations

• Small = .10

• Medium = .30

• Large = .50

Basic Steps

• 1) Create a test

• 2) Validate the test

• 3) Use the test

Validating a Test

• Is a test measuring what it is suppose to measure? – Not a YES or NO answer

• Types of Validity

• 1) Predictive• 2) Concurrent• 3) Content• 4) Construct

Predictive and Concurrent

• Called “Criterion-orientated” validity

• Does the test predict some type of criterion?

• Predictive – criterion is in the future

• Concurrent – criterion is in the present

Content Validity

• Test items represent the entire “universe” of possible items

Group Activity

• What qualities does the trait of extraversion contain?– e.g., assertiveness– Come up with at least 6 qualities

• Create one item to measure each quality.

Content Validity

Extraversion

Content Validity

Extraversion

Positive Emotions

Gregariousness

Assertiveness

Activity

Excitement-Seeking

Warmth

Content Validity

Positive Emotions

Gregariousness

Assertiveness

Activity

Excitement-Seeking

Warmth

Make friends easily

Have a lot of fun.

Love large parties

Take charge.

Am always busy.

Love excitement.

Content Validity

• Not normally established empirically

• Established by experts in the field

Construct Validity

• The test actually gauges the personality dimension being measured.

• How can you do this?

• First need to determine if its internal structure is correct.

Content Validity

Extraversion

Content Validity

Extraversion

Positive Emotions

Gregariousness

Assertiveness

Activity

Excitement-Seeking

Warmth

Construct Validity

• Next, you need to create a “model” of the construct

Extraversion

Extraversion

Talking

Risk taker

Stimulation

Reliable

Eye-contact

Height

Extraversion

Talking

Risk taker

Stimulation

Reliable

Eye-contact

Height

Nomological Net

Contains both

*Criterion-orientated validity

*Discriminant validity

Extraversion

Talking

Risk taker

Stimulation

Reliable

Eye-contact

Height

.60

.54

.32.44

-.04

.11

Construct Validity

• Uses all types of validity to determine if a test actually gauges the personality dimension being measured– There is actually even more than can be done

to examine construct validity-e.g., “changes over time”

• Note: you NEVER get a single number that represents “construct validity”

Basic Steps

• 1) Create a test

• 2) Validate the test

• 3) Use the test

Basic Steps

• 1) Create a test– Rational Method– Projective Tests– Factor Analytic Method– Empirical Method– Combination of Methods

• 2) Validate the test– Predictive– Concurrent– Content– Construct

• 3) Use the test

What is a trait of personality?

• A “unit” of measurement

• Allport presents 8 Criteria that define a personality trait

Traits

• 1) A trait has more than nominal existence

• Traits are real!

Traits

• 2) A trait is more generalized than a behavior

lie steal

cheat

Traits


lie steal

cheatHonesty

Traits


– There are systems of behaviors

– Traits my embrace anywhere between 2 to hundreds of behaviors

Traits

• 3) A trait is dynamic

• A trait CAUSES behavior, it is not just a summary of behavior

lie steal

cheatHonesty

YES!

Traits

• 3) A trait is dynamic

• A trait CAUSES behavior, it is not just a summary of behavior

lie steal

cheatHonesty

NO!

Traits

• 4) The existence of a trait my be established empirically or statistically

• Statistical techniques can be used to examine coherence among behaviors

Traits

• 5) Traits are only relatively independent of each other

• It will be difficult to isolate “fundamental” traits that are completely independent of each other

Traits

• 6) A trait of personality, psychologically considered, is not the same as a moral quality.

Traits

• 7) Acts, and even habits, that are inconsistent with a trait are not proof of the non-existence of the trait

• Not realistic to expect perfect consistency– Some traits not important in some people– Traits interact with each other within a person– Context also determines behavior

Traits

• 8) A trait may be viewed either in the light of the personality which contains it, or in the light of its distribution in the population at large.

• Some traits are unique and some are universal

• Can examine either– Universal traits across people– Unique blends of traits within a person

Using Traits to Understand Behavior

• Different approaches:

• The Single-Trait Approach

• The Many-Trait Approach

• The Essential-Trait Approach

• The Simultaneous-Trait Approach

The Single Trait Approach

• An in-depth research program of a single trait

Questionnaire

Score

• Score #1

• Add

• 1,3,4,7,10,14,15,16,17,20,21,24,25,28,29

Score

• Add

• 2,5,6,8,9,11,12,13,18,19,22,23,26,27,30

• Score 2 = 105 – your score above

• Final score = Score 1 + Score 2

Authoritarianism

• Historical context– Nazi Germany

• Philosophical roots– Fromm

• To avoid choices people turn their will over to external authorities

• “I am just following orders”

• In the 1930s created the “F – Scale”

Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism

Conventionalism

Authoritarianism

Conventionalism Authoritarian submission

Authoritarianism


Authoritarian aggression

Authoritarianism



Anti – ‘intraception”

Authoritarianism




Superstition

Authoritarianism


Power and toughness



Superstition

Authoritarianism


Destructiveness and cynicism

Power and toughness



Superstition

Authoritarianism


Projectivity


Power and toughness



Superstition

Authoritarianism


Sexual repression

Projectivity


Power and toughness



Superstition

Authoritarianism

• Note how this trait ties together many diverse behaviors

• Also note how it can explain inconsistencies in behavior– A person VERY respectful to a superior may

be cruel to those who rank lower

Authoritarianism

• Over 4,000 articles on this trait!

• Findings:• No relation between authoritarianism and

political party

• Note: not conservatism, but pseudoconservatism– e.g., taxes abolished, no trials, etc.

Authoritarianism

Findings:

• Society is in turmoil, authoritarians more likely to support “strong” political candidates

• When standard of living declines authoritarians more likely to favor restrictions of welfare and bans on abortion

Authoritarianism

Roots:

• Child-rearing practices– Regularly and severely punished– Learn to fear, obey, and be unquestioning of authority

• Genetic– Biological siblings = .35– Adopted siblings = .05

Questionnaire

Say

• “I am going out now, I won’t be back all day. If anyone comes by, just tell them I’m not here”

• Happy

• Sad

• Mad

Self-Monitoring

• How much do “monitor” your social setting and alter your behaviors accordingly

• High SM – Monitor every situation– Look for cues how to act, alter behavior

• Low SM– Consistent behavior regardless of situation

Self-Monitoring

• Findings:

• Actors tend to be high self-monitors– Mental patients tend to be low

• Video tapped group discussion• High SM interview better for jobs• High SM more likely to lie to go on dates• Jokes with a laugh track• Masturbate more often (r = .50)

The Many-Trait Approach

• Examine many traits simultaneously to determine what type of person tends to perform certain behaviors


• Commonly use the California Q-Sort– Forces you to compare traits to each other

• Rank order• Healthy• Wealthy• Wise

Findings of the Many-Trait Approach

• 64 undergraduates completed the SM scale

• Friends and family q-sorted the subjects

Self-Monitoring

• High SM

• Skilled in social techniques• Talkative• Self-dramatizing• Initiates humor• Verbally fluent• Expressive in face• Has social poise and presence

Self-Monitoring

• Low Self Monitors

• Distrustful• Perfectionist• Touchy and irritable• Anxious• Introspective• Independent

Findings of the Many-Trait Approach

• Drug use and adolescent health– Shedler & Block, 1990

• 101 subjects

• Age 11 – parents completed a q-sort

• Age 18 – Drug usage measured– Abstainers, experimenters, frequent users

Abst. Exp. Freq.

1. Prefers nonverbal methods of communication. 4.6 4.5 5.1*

3. Is warm and responsive. 5.3** 6.2 5.2**

6. Is helpful and cooperative. 7 7.2 6.5**

8. Tends to keep thoughts, feelings, or products to self.

5.6* 4.7 5.3

13. Characteristically pushes and tries to stretch limits.

3.0* 3.6 4.2

14. Is eager to please. 6 6.1 5.3**

21. Tries to be the center of attention. 3.1** 3.8 3.9

23. Is fearful and anxious. 4.5*** 3.3 4

25. Uses and responds to reason. 7.3** 6.6 6.5

26. Is physically active. 5.2** 5.9 5.7

Abst. Exp. Freq.

27. Is visibly deviant from peers in physical appearance.

3.3 3 3.7**

28. Is vital, energetic, lively. 4.9** 5.9 5.2

30. Tends to arouse liking and acceptance in adults. 6.1 6.5 5.9*

34. Is restless and fidgety. 3.7*** 4.6 5.1

35. Is inhibited and constricted. 5.1** 3.9 4.4

37. Likes to compete; tests and compares self with others.

4.1** 4.5 4.6

39. Becomes rigidly repetitive or immobilized under stress.

4.2* 3.5 4.2*

40. Is curious, eager to learn, open to new experiences.

5.4*** 6.4 5.7*

41. Is persistent in activities; does not give up easily. 5.9 5.6 5.1*

42. Is an interesting, arresting child. 5.1** 5.8 5.1*

Abst. Exp. Freq.

45. Tends to withdraw and disengage when under stress.

5.0* 4.2 5.2**

47. Has high standards of performance for self. 6.1 5.9 5.1**

52. Is physically cautious. 5.1*** 4 4.5

54. Has rapid shifts in mood; is emotionally labile. 3.5 3.4 4.2**

59. Is neat and orderly in dress and behavior. 6.5*** 5.5 5.2

60. Becomes anxious in unpredictable environment. 4.9** 4 4.8*

62. Is obedient and compliant. 6.5* 5.8 5.6

63. Has a rapid personal tempo; reacts and moves quickly.

4.2** 5 4.6

64. Is calm and relaxed, easy-going. 5.0* 5.6 5.2


• Note: What this study is not saying– To interpret the meaning of these traits need

to also interpret the context of the study

• How many adjectives can you use to describe a person?

• Try it!

The Essential-Trait Approach

• Odbert and Allport found over 4,500 adjectives that describe personality traits– 17,953 adjectives overall (but some were not traits)

• Are all of these really independent of each other?

• Essential Approach tries to find how many and which traits are essential

The Big Five:History

• Allport and Odbert (1936)– 17,953 trait terms

• Cattell (1943)– Factor analysis finds 35

clusters

• Fiske (1949)– Factor analysis results in 5

factors

• Tupes & Christal (1961)– Replicate Fiske

• Norman (1963) replicates Tupes & Christal, and writes a review about these “big five” traits– Surgency (extraversion)– Agreeableness– Conscientiousness– Emotional stability– Culture

correlations small =.10 medium =.30 large =.50 basic steps 1) create a test 2) validate the test 3)...

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