Studies of personality

Major advances have been made through behavioral genetics, the field concerned with the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on individual behavior. One approach is to study the personalities of identical (monozygotic) twins who have been separated since birth. Such individuals have the same genetic makeup but differ in the environments in which they are reared. In a related method of study, the personalities of individuals who are adopted from birth are compared to the personalities of their adoptive and biological parents. These individuals have genetic material different from that of their adoptive parents. Similarities and differences in behavior, relative to biological parents, siblings, and adoptive parents, can help reveal the relative importance of genetic and environmental influences.

TECHNIQUES

There are a number of standard techniques for measuring personality traits. Theories of personality are evaluated through the direct observation of behavior and through measurement of characteristics, such as intelligence, thought to motivate or differentiate individuals. Such tests can predict how well people will do in a number of situations.

Included among the most widespread methods for personality determination are personality scales and inventories. In personality inventories, individuals are given a number of items, usually questions, and are asked to write out their answers. An example is the following item: "I am shy: True, False, Cannot Say." The person being tested checks one of the choices. If this item is being used to measure introversion, the tendency to keep to oneself, one answer like this is not enough evidence for such a conclusion to be reached. There must be a pattern of answers suggesting the same trait before the person can be said to possess the trait. The results may be used to measure a single personality characteristic or a number of different characteristics. Personality scales are based on the responses of general populations and other populations, including psychiatric patients, people serving prison sentences, and people with personality disorders. One of the most widely used personality inventories is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI).

To reveal traits and to investigate a person's needs mental-health workers use projective techniques. They includedifferent measures in which ambiguous stimuli, or test materials, are presented to the person whose personality is being assessed. The person's task is to interpret the stimuli. These tests are called projective because the person taking the test is asked to project his or her own meaning into the test material. Pictures, stories, inkblots, and unfinished sentences are typical materials in projective techniques.

PERSONALITY DISORDER

Personality traits are maladaptive if they cause significant impairment in everyday life or if they lead to distress or discomfort. In such cases the personality characteristic is referred to as a personality disorder. These disorders are lifelong patterns of behaving that lead to maladjustment and an inability to cope with ordinary situations. For example, persons with an antisocial personality disorder violate the rights of other people with no regard for social rules. These persons often steal, fight, physically or mentally abuse others, and resist authority. Their behavior usually interferes with everyday functions. They often have difficulty keeping a job, maintaining personal relationships, and keeping out of trouble with the law. Many more men than women have antisocial personality disorders. Personality disorders are treated with various forms of psychotherapy--sometimes by using drugs-- under the direction of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and many other mental-health professionals.

Recommended Listening Comprehension:

Headway Upper-Intermediate:

1. Cassette 2 ‘A Victorian Family’. (II)

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14