Module development handbook: Compare models of personality

For each of the models that you read about in 1.6 Reading: Models of personality, you should make notes in your study journal regarding:

whether the model is biological, psychodynamic, behavioural or factor analytic (the reading will familiarise you with these terms)
what factors and/or dimensions of personality are part of each model
briefly, the theoretical or historical background to each model.

Use the table below to help you structure your notes.

	What type of approach or approaches are a part of the model?	What factors and/or dimensions of personality are a part of the model?	Briefly, what is the theoretical and/or historical background of the model?
Jung’s model of personality
The five-factor model of personality
Eysenck and Gray’s model of personality

When you have completed your table, click the button below to view model answers against which you can compare your own. Make a note of anything that you missed.

	What type of approach or approaches are a part of the model?	What factors and/or dimensions of personality are a part of the model?	Briefly, what is the theoretical and/or historical background of the model?
Jung’s model of personality	psychodynamic approach	extraversion introversion sensing thinking feeling intuitive NB: The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was based on this approach and measures these dimensions.	Informed by Freud and Adler’s work. He wanted to reconcile their theories. Argues people incorporate aspects of being extraverted and introverted.
The five-factor model of personality	trait approach factor analytic approach	openness conscientiousness extraversion agreeableness neuroticism NB: The Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness Personality Inventory (NEO-PI) was based on this approach and measures these factors.	From the temperaments, to the humours, to factor analysis. The lexical approach → The most meaningful personality descriptors would become encoded in language, and so we should use the dictionary to establish personality traits. The more important a personality trait is, the more often it will be used and the more words we will have to describe it. Allport → Informed by the lexical approach. Identified 4,500 personality traits from 18,000 words. Cattell and factor analysis → Made use of this statistical technique to cluster lists of personality traits together. This is based on participants’ ratings of the degree to which attributes apply to them. Using these methods, sixteen factors of personality were identified. Costa and McCrae → Large samples completed two personality questionnaires, factor analyses were then done on the results, which consistently uncovered five factors of personality.
Eysenck and Gray’s model of personality	trait approach biological approach	Extraversion includes: sensation-seeking, sociable, carefree, lively, dominant, active, surgent, assertive and venturesome. Neuroticism includes: tense, anxious, irrational, depressed, shy, guilty feelings, moody, low self-esteem and emotional. Psychoticism: includes: impulsive, aggressive, unempathic, cold, creative, egocentric, tough-minded, antisocial and impersonal. NB: The Eysenck personality questionnaire was based on this approach and measures these types.	Eysenck Eysenck stressed the importance of genetic inheritance in personality, and that there was a biological determinant to personality. Also used factor analysis to arrive at the three personality types. Variations in extraversion and neuroticism are due to balancing excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms in the Ascending Reticular Activating System (ARAS). Extraversion → variations in extraversion are due to regulating arousal in the reticulo-cortical circuit in the ARAS. Over arousal = introversion (people are overstimulated and therefore are overwhelmed by additional stimuli and so seek to avoid stimulation and exciting situations. Under arousal = extraversion (people are under stimulated and so are always seeking stimulation and exciting situations). Neuroticism → variations in neuroticism are due to regulating arousal in the reticulo-limbic circuit in the ARAS. Over arousal = neuroticism (emotional instability because they are more aroused by emotional stimulation). Under arousal = emotional stability. Gray’s BAS/BIS theory Began as a modification to Eysenck’s theory, and similar in that personality is due to variations and interactions between three biological systems: the Behavioural Approach System (BAS); the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS); and the Fight/Flight System (FFS). BAS → motivates us to be sensitive to rewards and to seek them. May result in impulsivity. BIS → motivates us to avoid, based on anxiety and sensitivity to punishment. May result in anxiety. FFS → motivates natural mechanisms of reactions of rage or panic.