PS271 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-4: Heinz Kohut, Vienna Psychoanalytic Society, Emerging Adulthood And Early Adulthood
Document Summary
Scientific inference: using systematically gathered evidence to test a hypothesis. Through an understanding of personality classic theories and modern research meaningful answer about personality are available. Some scientists believe that rigorous study of personality must become mathematical and involve #"s stats such as correlations. Correlation coefficient: is a math index of the degree of agreement between 2 measures. Knowing that a person scores high on a test of extraversion lets us predict that the person won"t often act in a shy manner. Correlations tell us about associations but not about causal relationships. Although stats such as correlations can be helpful they are only tools to be used to help uncover the truth. Personality sych provides tools to begin to understand why people are the way that they are. Many personality theories have arisen from careful observations and deep introspection of insightful thinkers. Eg sigmund freud spent many hours analysing his dreams which revealed the conflicts within him.