Personality Typology

Alejandra Martinez

Exam 1

1. Personality “typology” is historically old. Give two examples of historical typology.

A. Sheldon suggested that the human body be categorize. Which he introduced Sheldon’s Somatotypes which associates body types with human temperament into three types:

1. Mesomorph (muscle): courageous, assertive, bold, competitive

2. Endomorph (nervous tissue): sociable, even-tempered, affectionate

3. Ectomorph (digestive): self-conscious, introvert, artistic, intense

B. Hippocrates introduced what is called the Four Temperaments: 1. Melancholic- Is associated with moody, anxious, rigid, quiet, reserved 2. Choleric- Is associated with aggressive, impulsive, active, optimistic, excitable 3. Phlegmatic - Is associated with

Sanguine- Is associated with carefree, sociable, talkative, outgoing, easygoing, leadership

2. Why is it important that an individual’s personality remains relatively stable over the lifespan? Is there evidence that it is stable?

Over time, some aspects of personality change, whereas others remain stable. For example according to Costa and McCrae 's study on adult personality, in early adulthood, neuroticism decreases, openness to experience increases and in middle adulthood agreeableness increases.

However, it is important that an individual’s personality remains relatively stable over the lifespan because we expect that our traits and characteristics remain relatively stable during our lifespan. Also it’s important for a reputable lifespan and for the life course of evolution and adaptation.

The results of the studies on adult personality indicate stability changes in adult personality. At a certain period it is stated that there was no good evidence that an individual’s personality are not perfectly stable. However, there is change of stability during a person’s lifespan and is relatively stable after age

However, both characteristics of reliability and validity are important and can be used in many studies, such as the self-rating and other- ratings of daily behavior. Reliability refers to the internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, test-retest, and standardized scoring. In other words reliability means that study scores have to be constant with repeatability of the findings. Validity also refers to convergent validity, discriminant validity, and predictive validity. Validity refers to the reliability or credibility of the research. If the findings in a study, reliability and validity are valid they must be reliable. 5. How do evolutionary psychologists explain the fact that all humans share a five factor personality structure. When did it evolve? (Discuss the EEA concept.)

Evolutionary psychologists explain the fact that all humans share a five factor personality structure because of common human nature. The Big Five offers a valuable take on personality structure because of the stability traits over time. Also offers a comprehensive of the basic personality traits and prove the differences of social life for many thousands of years, even going back to the EEA.

Human nature has evolved in history with common adaptation such as social acceptance, getting ahead, survival, reproduction, parenting, and social relations. It has evolved in the form that people assure that children are protected and well