Personality

Personality as behaviour traits
Personality as adaptation

• Personality and learning
• Development

What is personality?

Definition: Enduring individual differences in patterns of behaviour, cognition, affect.

Three types of theories:

• Traits
• Adaptation 
• Mental processes

Adaptation: What is the function of personality?

Ultimate explanations: 

Personality as adaptation to life conditions

Pumpkinseed fish
 

Shoreline habitat

• Open water habitat

Bred together, Raised in different habitats
 

Genetic influences on behaviour

Environmental influences on behaviour

Personality as alternative problem-solving strategies

Personality and avoidance learning in guppies

Personality test example:

Record and classify guppy behaviour

Guppy personality dimensions

• Approach (Hi - Lo)
• Exploration
• Sociability

• Fear Avoidance (Hi - Lo)
• Behavioural inhibition
• Active escape

Personality and avoidance learning

Avoidance learning

Avoidance learning task:

Learning as a function of personality
 
 

	Exploration-Hi	Exploration-Lo
Fearful	slow learning	very slow learning
Bold	slow learning	quick learning

 

Proximate explanations
 

Roots of personality laid down early in life:

Longitudinal study of children born 1972/73 in NZ

Age 21 - risky behaviours identified (<25% of cohort)

alcohol abuse 
dangerous driving
unsafe sex 
violent crime