COU105e: Personality is a sub-field of Psychology Distinctiveness is Central to the Concept of Personality: Psychology of Personality Development Assignment, SUSS, Singapore

Personality is a sub-field of psychology. Distinctiveness is central to the concept of personality. Personality is used to explain why everyone does not act the same way in similar situations. Varied reactions to the same situation occur because each person has a different personality. Various personality measures have been devised to assess behavior.

a) What does it mean to say that someone has an optimistic personality? What does this assertion indicate about the core concept of personality? (10 marks)

b) If you want to know how optimistic someone is, one way is to administer an elaborate fifty-item personality inventory that measures optimism. What might be the strengths and weaknesses of such a self-report inventory for assessing personality?

c) Freud asserted that any current issues of guilt and innocence, abuse and justice, depend on an understanding of the phenomenon that he termed “repression”. Repression has remained a key concept in psychology, relevant to our relations with others and to our general physical health. What is repression? Why do abused individuals often resort to repress the stressful memories? What types of psychological treatment, as suggested by Freud, have proved helpful to such type of clients?
(10 marks)

Question 2

Traditionally, the study of personality has been dominated by “grand theories” that attempt to explain many facets of behavior, namely, the sweeping theories of Freud, Skinner, Rogers, and several others. In recent decades, however, the study of personality has shifted towards narrow research programs that examine specific issues related to personality.

This trend is reflected in the biological, cognitive, cultural and other contemporary approaches to personality. a) Researchers have compiled convincing evidence that biological factors help shane nersnnalitv.

b) Compare and contrast critically the behaviourist theory with the humanistic theory on the key ideas of the theorists, and the processes in personality development.

Question 3

The study of personality also highlights the socio-historical contexts that affect individuals. Personal experiences, prevailing attitudes, historical events and cultural backgrounds have contributed to the shaping of individuals. The effects of culture on personality can be dramatic. Psychologists consider these cultural issues even in personality assessment.

a) What are the connections between culture and personality? Describe briefly the connections in one paragraph between culture and assessment of personality, and between culture and personality development.

b) Illustrate with two examples, the aspects of culture that you think may have shaped your personality significantly. Explain why you think so.

c) Evaluate whether Western personality constructs from each of the five major personality theories are relevant to Singapore culture. Support your arguments with at least two specific examples from the Singapore context.