Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

R E C A P / E V A L U A T E / R E T H I N K 
K E Y T E R M S 
R E C A P 
What are the major aspects of trait, learning, biological and 
evolutionary, and humanistic approaches to personality?
• Trait approaches have been used to identify relatively 
enduring dimensions along which people differ from 
one another—dimensions known as traits. (p. 448)
• Learning approaches to personality concentrate on 
observable behavior. To a strict learning theorist, person-
ality is the sum of learned responses to the external 
environment. (p. 451)
• Social cognitive approaches concentrate on the role of 
cognition in determining personality. Those approaches 
pay particular attention to self-effi cacy and self-esteem 
in determining behavior. (p. 452)
• Biological and evolutionary approaches to personality 
focus on the way in which personality characteristics are 
inherited. (p. 454)
• Humanistic approaches emphasize people’s inherent 
goodness. They consider the core of personality in terms 
of a person’s ability to change and improve. (p. 457)
• The major personality approaches differ substantially 
from one another; the differences may refl ect both their 
focus on different aspects of personality and the overall 
complexity of personality. (p. 459)
E VA LU AT E
1.
Carl’s determination to succeed is the dominant force in 
all his activities and relationships. According to Gordon 
Allport’s theory, this is an example of a 
trait. 
In contrast, Cindy’s fondness for old western movies is an 
example of a 
trait.
trait theory p. 448
traits p. 448
social cognitive 
 approaches 
to 
personality p. 452
self-effi cacy p. 452
self-esteem p. 453