Personality Theory.
Personality Theory Lecture 5: Trait theories Dr. Ian E. Morley Department of Psychology (H139) [email protected] Aims • To introduce the main kinds of trait theory, identifying the main strengths and weaknesses of each: - G. Allport's theory of 'Becoming'[BEC] - Interpersonal Circles, the 'Big Five' approach and H. J. Eysenck's theory [PEN] • To recapitulate some of the issues in the persons x situations debates Learning outcomes At the end of lectures, seminars, and your own reflection • You should be able to understand and be able to evaluate: - Distinctions between types, traits, surface traits, and source traits - The difference between descriptive and explanatory theories - To understand why experimental psychology needs to study individual differences - Similarities and differences between the theories of G. Allport, H.J. Eysenck, and the 'Big Five' theorists Plan of Lecture • [1] Conflicting views about trait theories • [2] What are traits? • [3] Basic assumptions of trait theories • [4] Diferent kinds of trait theory • [5] Gordon Allport's Becoming [BEC] • [6] Interpersonal Circles and the Five Factor Model • [7] H. J. Eysenck's PEN theory • [8] Evaluation of Trait Theories [1] Conflicting views • 'Trait theories are now widely believed to be the most useful means of studying personality' (Cooper, 1998) •
Compare and contrast at least two theories which purport to provide an explanation for offending.
Q.3 Compare and contrast at least two theories which purport to provide an explanation for offending There are many theories which aim to provide an explanation for offending but I will only focus on two: control theory and routine activities theory. Control Theory Control theories try to explain that crime is more likely in the absence of controls. Some control theorists argue that people have a free choice whether to commit crime or not and are influenced by the likelihood of being caught or punished. Clarke (1980) argued that "crime resulted from a rational choice on the part of the offender who assessed the risks of any particular situation" (Croall 1998:73). These theories are closely related to anomie theories because they focus on regulating natural urges that people have to commit crime. There were four main theorists who dealt with control theories regarding criminal activity: Travis Hirschi, David Matza, Stephen Box and Harriet Wilson. Hirschi (1969) Travis Hirschi gave the statement, "The question, 'Why do they do it?' is simply not the question the theory is designed to answer. The question is, 'Why don't we do it?'" (Maguire, Morgan & Reiner 2002:57). He basically was saying that control theories were mainly focused on trying to explain why people did not commit crime but in doing so, these theories provided explanations for why people really do
Is sociology scientific?
Patricia Curmi SP1151A: Research Methods and Data Analysis Seminar tutor: Ursula Wolski Date due: 27.11.02 Is sociology scientific? Science offers humans a unique opportunity to observe and interpret the world around them, allowing us to free ourselves from the constraints of mysticism and guesswork that our ancestors relied upon to make sense of a planet which otherwise appears totally random and chaotic. The analytical, systematic process inherent to the scientific approach bases its foundations of knowledge in the naturally occurring patterns and rhythms that govern the natural world. Scientific disciplines such as biology, chemistry and physics offer not only the ability to explain the nature of matter or the processes of life, but was also able to form generalisations about their properties. Sociology, often viewed by many scientists as a poorly formed younger sibling of 'true science', has suffered during its short life-span a barrage of criticisms levelled against it regarding the reliability and accuracy of its methods and theories when compared to the 'natural' sciences. During both the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries advances in science and technology encouraged people to believe that there could be a rational explanation for everything and that scientific study could lead to the solving of all of the problems faced by human beings. Physics, under the
Firstly, I would like to discuss the concepts of discourse communities. I would try to distinguish between the use of spoken and written English in different communities. Then, I would like to discuss the factors to cause people vary the way they speak in
Introduction How do you talk with your friends, your colleagues and your bosses? It seems that people like to vary the way they speak in different occasions. As Alice L. Trupe (cited in the website) points out that, "we use language in one way in a chatroom, in a slightly different way in your family, in another way in schools and of course, in another way in your working place". The way that you speak would be totally different when you are in different communities. Besides, people seem to adjust their language unconsciously to the situation in which they find themselves. They usually do this naturally and automatically, without thinking about the changes they make. Thus, in my essay, I would like to investigate this topic. Firstly, I would like to discuss the concepts of discourse communities. I would try to distinguish between the use of spoken and written English in different communities. Then, I would like to discuss the factors to cause people vary the way they speak in different communities. Thirdly, I would like to list out some of the ways such as style shifting and code switching that people usually use to vary the way they speak in different occasions. I would also use some examples to reinforce my discussion. Finally I would sum up my main findings in a conclusion. Definition of discourse communities According to Mr.Podis (2004), "discourse communities are
An Explanation of Child development, Based on Genetic and Environmental Influences.
An Explanation of Child development, Based on Genetic and Environmental Influences. The explanation of human behaviours has been a debatable subject for behaviourists and geneticists since always. Hence, many attempts to unscramble the effects of innate predispositions from their context in human development have been made (Plomin, DeFries, & McClearn, 1990). Unfortunately, only in recent years "behavioural genetic and developmental approaches make the potential for collaborative studies quite promising"(Reiss, 1993). Genetics is increasingly been used to explain developmental processes on psychological functioning-both normal and abnormal. Plomin (1994), argue that genetic research on behavioural dimensions and disorders not only indicates genetic influence in developmental psychopathology but also provides the best evidence for the importance of the nongenetic, environmental influence. In addition, Geary and Bjorklund (Child Development, 2000, p.57) argues: "Genes provide the instructions for guiding the development of the core phenotypes, such as body structure and social behaviours, of the species". However, as people are in a constant interaction with their environment, environmental factors such as culture, family and prenatal environments need to be examined in order to be able to estimate the genetic contributions to behavioural traits (Mandler, 2001). Hence, for
According to theories of Symbolic Interactionism, what is and constitutes deviance? Discuss theory, method and 1-2 exemplary works from the tradition
According to theories of Symbolic Interactionism, what is and constitutes deviance? Discuss theory, method and 1-2 exemplary works from the tradition. Symbolic Interactionsim originated as a theory proposed by Blumer, built on the foundations of the philosopher; Mead's and Cooley's work. Symbolic Interactionsim takes the form of an outlook on society from a perspective of looking at the actions amongst those in society rather than looking at social laws and structures which govern society. Blumer's development of this theory was very much influenced by John Dewey's thoughts of society. Dewey stated that 'human beings were best understood in relation to their environment' (Dewey 1977) From this Blumer (1994:1) summarised "Symbolic Interactionism" as a study of human group life and conduct. Blumer (1994:2) came up with three main principles to this theory; meaning, language and thought. The first; meaning, states that individuals act towards people and things based on the meaning they have given to those people or things. The second, language, enables people to express meaning through symbols and meaning arises through social interaction using language. Blumer's ideas are taken from Mead on this principle. Mead (1934) says that naming assigns meaning and therefore naming is the core of human society and knowledge. It is through language that individuals identify meaning.
Workshop for the introduction of Tristan Egolf's new novel Skirt and the Fiddle
Michael Nowak Johann Wolfgang Goethe - Universität Frankfurt am Main Institut für England- und Amerikastudien PS Einführung in die Literaturwissenschaften I und II Frau Dr. Petra Feld SS 2003 Review of the workshop with Tristan Egolf The workshop for the introduction of Tristan Egolf's new novel Skirt and the Fiddle (2003) was introduced by Prof. Dr. Christa Buschendorf of the Institut für England- und Amerikastudien of the J.W. Goethe Universität Frankfurt and Mr. Daniel Wendell the deputy director of the Amerika Haus in Frankfurt. Mr. Dormagen of the Suhrkamp Verlag then gave a short biography of Tristan Egolf who was born 1971 in Pennsylvania and played guitar in a punk band in New York after having quit college. While travelling through Europe Tristan Egolf wrote on his first novel Lord of the Barnyard (1999) which was amazingly published first by a French publishing house. After the formalities Tristan Egolf read two passages out of his new novel Skirt and the Fiddle (2003) enabling the audience to get a brief impression of the main characters Charlie Evans, Tinsel Greetz and Louise as well as the plot of the story. Tristan Egolf tells the story of a social outsider in Philadelphia who gets involved in a relationship with Louise who is obviously a member of a higher social class. This fact leads to a summary of humorous and tragic situations showing
From Industrialization to Marxism
From Industrialization to Marxism The Industrial age began in the middle of the 18th century with the introduction of mechanical power. Now, not only were employers faced with labor organization problems; they were pressured to invent new production methods while cutting costs to keep prices competitive. The influx of raw goods arriving in Great Britain from her colonies set the stage for a stream of new inventions. Efficient machine technology began to replace human and animal power. This fundamental characteristic of the industrial revolution was referred to as the introduction of mechanical power. As technology improved the standard of living and steam engines lowered transportation costs, it came at a great human cost. Factories were organized to produce huge amounts of goods. People left the countryside and moved into the cities to find work in factories. The crowded housing was often poorly built and infested with disease and rubbish. Men and women worked up to 12-hour days. Families started to live their lives away from each other. Even children worked to contribute to the family's income. The death rate fell to fewer than 45, about 13 years premature compared to other countries. Moral decency decreased due to close living quarters along with the lack of education. Skilled craftsmen who once held a status in a certain trade were now employed by factories as
Historical materialism
Zhongqiao Duan believes that 'historical materialism is not only a rigorously scientific theory, but also that it remains a powerful weapon for understanding society and changing it today'1. The theory is one of Karl Marx's great discoveries and the concept of 'production' is undoubtedly at the heart of it. In order to understand why production is so central to historical materialism I will look at what the term actually means. I will identify explanations and trends that establish production as the core of Marx's theory of history and then explore alternatives and criticisms to historical materialism. Marx's materialist conception of history has become known as 'historical materialism' and it explains how and why human societies change and develop. It comprises the theories of class, ideology, and the development of history and mainly: production. The material, industrious forces held by man, such as labour and equipment, are the motivating forces of social progress. Marx's claim was that it is the way that human beings produce that determines our thought and ideas. It is appropriate to the proletariat, as they have no illusions unlike the idealist notions of the bourgeoisie. In The German Ideology Marx and Engels state that 'The premises [of the Materialistic Conception of History]... are not arbitrary ones, not dogmas, but real premises from which abstraction can only be
'Today's authority is the site of yesterdays struggle for power' (Barbara Goodwin). Explain and discuss.
'Today's authority is the site of yesterdays struggle for power' (Barbara Goodwin). Explain and discuss. It has been argued that power and authority are both very similar in essence as they both involve control or manipulation. "Power is the ability to influence the behaviour of others" (Politics, Heywood A., pg 5) whereas authority is the right to do so. The question is simply whether past events and previous use of power have caused any effects on today's politics. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the 'contract theorists' introduced the social contract theory. They believed that a contract is made by each member of the public to follow the authority of a state. This contract in return gives them the right to reject any government if they desire. In theory this social contract designates power to the government so that it can have authority over the nation. Thomas Hobbes a 17th-century English philosopher talked about the state of nature, which is basically the way society, would have developed and the ways we would behave without the rules and regulations of the government. Hobbes described society as 'A continual war of all against all', he believes that huge conflict would arise without a government, or some sort of authority. Further he illustrates that "In such a condition there is no place for Industry, ...,and which is worst of all, continual fear, and
