PSYC 231 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Observational Study, Learned Helplessness, Trait Theory

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 231
• Professor: Ronald R Holden

Document Summary

Personality psychology: the scientific study of what makes us who we are and the environmental and genetic factors that make us that way. Traits: how we describe human personality and identify important personality characteristics. A perso(cid:374)"s typi(cid:272)al (cid:449)ay of thi(cid:374)ki(cid:374)g, feeli(cid:374)g a(cid:374)d a(cid:272)ti(cid:374)g i(cid:374) (cid:448)arious situatio(cid:374)s. Sometimes we are born with these but most times we get these characteristics from socialization and from personal experiences. These traits will be consistent through life. (cid:862)big fi(cid:448)e(cid:863) (cid:373)odel of perso(cid:374)ality is a do(cid:373)i(cid:374)a(cid:374)t trait theory, states that the fou(cid:374)datio(cid:374) of human personality are the following traits; ocean. Some disagreement with this theory, based on temperament rather than personality. Genetics: study of how genes and environment affect personality and behaviour. Neuroscience: study of how our brain and nervous system affect personality through the study of bodily responses, brain structure, brain activity and biochemical activity. Suggests that part of who we are is built into us by our neurology.