PY7159: Critical Analysis of Personality Traits and Social Approaches

This essay critically evaluates the concept of personality traits, focusing on the implications for measurement, and compares and contrasts social cognition, social identity, and discursive approaches to social psychology. The essay begins by defining personality traits as characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, emphasizing consistency, stability, and individual differences. It then explores the measurement of personality traits, including the Big Five personality factors: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. The second part of the essay delves into social psychology, examining social cognition, which focuses on how people process and apply information about others; social identity, which is derived from group membership; and discursive psychology, which investigates how people manage psychological themes. The essay highlights the pros and cons of each approach, discusses their similarities and differences, and concludes by emphasizing the importance of these approaches in understanding individual behavior and social interactions.

Q1 Critically evaluate the concept of personality
trait focusing on the implications for
measurement Q2 Compare and contrast social
cognition social i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
Q1................................................................................................................................................2
Q2................................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Personality trait reflect the people’s characteristic patter of thoughts, feeling and behavior
whereas social psychology is specific study of how the people’s thoughts, feeling and behavior
influenced all the psychological variables that are measurable in human being. The present study
also highlights these concepts and develops a deep understanding about such topic. For the same,
present report will critically evaluate the concept of personality trait focusing on the implications
for measurement and then compare and contrast social cognition social identity and discursive
approaches to social psychology.
Q1
According to Prentice, Zeidan and Wang (2020) personality trait reflects the people’s
characteristic pattern of thoughts, feeling, behaviour. Thus, it is imply consistently as well as
stability where someone scores high on the specific trait like extraversion is expected to be
sociable in different situation. On the other side, Sudha and Shahnawaz (2020) argued that
personality traits reflect the basic dimensions on which the people is differs. As per the trait
psychologists there are limited number of these dimensions and each of the individuals fall
somewhere in each dimension. On the critically side, it is has been critically evaluated that the
theory does not believe traits change over time. Also, it is also examined that traits does not
change from the situation though people are same at all times.
In accordance with the Jankowsky, Olaru and Schroeders (2020) there are three criteria
which are characterize personality traits such as Consistency which means that individual must
be somewhat consistent across the situation in their behaviours related to trait. For examine, if an
individual is talkative at home then they must be talkative at work as well. Another aspect is
Stability where an individual with a trait must be stable over time in behaviour related to the
characteristic. Like, at the age of 30, an individual is talkative then at the age of 40, they will be
talkative. Last is, Individual difference, this stated that people different from one another on
behaviour related to trait.
The implication of the personality trait measurement reflects that there are five broad
factors of personality traits such as:

 Extraversion: It is the tendency which shows that the people are more talkative, sociable
and enjoy with others. This shows that the tendency is related to dominant style. The high
score within this reflect that people are active and also fun loving as well as affectionate
whereas, low score reflect that people are unenthusiastic and sober as compared to other
people. Agreeableness: This type of people has a tendency to agree and go along with others
instead of assert one’s own opinion as well choices. In this trait, if the individual earn
high score which reflect that they value other’s opinion and helpful in nature as well as
forgive others if any of them perform any mistakes (Measuring the big five Personality
domains, 2020). On the other side, it is also reflected that due to low score rate, it means
that they confidently asserts own rights and manipulative in nature as well. Conscientiousness: This type of category includes traits like organized, thorough and
planful. In this situation, if the individual is gain low score which reflect that people are
careless and does not unreliable. Further, in the case of high score, they reflect as a
hardworking and punctual as well as self-disciplined. Therefore, it is reflected that this
measurement shows the overall conscientiousness towards other. Neuroticism: This trait reflected emotional stability which means that traits like tense ,
moody ad anxious fall under this category (Brehm, Tironi and Mortelliti, 2020). Hence,
due to low score, people are not getting irritated by small things like clam, unemotional,
hardy and secure whereas on the other side, high score on this category reflected that
individual is constantly worrying about the little things i.e. insecure, feeling inadequate
etc. Openness to experience: This trait also known as intellect and imagination which
includes the traits like having wide interest. If the score rate for this category is high
which means that people have a personality trait like imaginative and untraditional. On
the other side, due to low score rates it refers to the people are exposed to alternative
moral systems and narrow interest along with this, they are down to earth.
From the above, it is reflected that such measurement assist an individual to reflect the actual
performance of an individual. In this, a questionnaire has to be filled which reflect in which
category the individual fall in order to determine own personality trait (Zettler, Moshagen and
Hilbig, 2020). Hence, each and every individual is belongs to different category and this

measurement also assist them to determine the personality trait. Further, it is examined that I am
also satisfied with the personality measurement that provide a clear definition and category in
which they fall as per the trait through which they are belongs. Thus, I am also accept with such
points that assist to examine the overall performance and which traits needs to be improved as
per the time changes in order to meet the defined aim of the career. Hence, with the help of big
five personality, which is also known as a statistical procedure used to analyse how rating of
various personality traits correlated to human.
Q2
Social cognition: it is the sub-point of social psychology that mainly focuses upon how
people process, store and apply the information about other people as well as social situations. It
also highlights the role of cognitive process within individuals within social interactions. As per
the social cognitive theory within psychology there are some key components identified which
are as mentioned below:
 Self- efficiency: It is a belief which an individual has a control over and thus it reflects in
their behaviour.
 Behavioural capability: It is an ability which an individual possess in order to understand
the skills to perform behaviour.
 Expectations: Identify the results of changing behaviour
 Self-control: It is all about regulating and monitoring the individual behaviour.
 Observational learning: Observing or watching other’s behaviour which they perform
with a desired behaviour.
 Reinforcements: Another component which promote incentives and rewards that
motivate behaviour change among people (Baumeister and Bushman, 2020).
For example, in order to maintain the healthy relationships, trust and NGO implemented
program for people living within HIV. This is based upon the social cognition approaches where
they use skills to increase the independence and develop healthy behaviour among people.
Pros: This approach identify the behaviour change among individual which is a result of social
environment and uses competent models will be able to grow for a greater number of behaviour
within positive results (Social cognitive theory, 2020). Moreover, another benefits of using social

cognitive theory is to identify the role of self-beliefs in human cognition, motivation and
behaviour. It further assists to measure the control over their own thoughts, feelings and actions.
Cons: The biggest criticism of this theory is not unified which means different aspects of a
theory do not tie together in order to create a cohesive explanation of behaviour and it cannot be
directly observed.
Social identity: It is a portion of an individual’s self-concept which is derived from a
relevant social group. Thus, it can be stated that it denotes individual’s psychological bond
within their groups and it is possible only when the individuals wishes to maintain a positive
social identity within their groups. There are three main components of this approach which are
as mentioned below:
 Social categorization: In this, individual are organized into a social group in order to
understand the social world. Through this, people include themselves into a group to
which they belongs and then they divided on their social categories basis on their
individual characteristic (Easterbrook and Hadden, 2021). For example, a person can
define themselves as a business executive, an animal lover, but these characteristic
identifies will only come up if they are relevant to social situation.
 Social identification: It is a component which identify as a group member which means
that a group leads individual to behave in the way that they believe members of that
group should behave. For example, an individual is an environmentalist and try to
conserve water, recycle whenever possible. Thus, people become emotionally invested in
their group membership. This impacted by the status of their groups.
 Social comparison: Through this, people compare themselves with another group on the
basis of prestige and social standing. For example, a movie star judges himself
favourably as compared to reality TV show star.
Pros: Through this theory, an individual is able to understand how people interact with others.
Along with this, it also enhances the social standings of their existing group by adjusting all the
other elements between group.

Cons: The limitation of social identity theory is such that it cannot predict which social identity
will mots influence an individual’s behaviour during a particular situation (Hodgetts and et.al.,
2020).
Discursive psychology: It is the study of psychological issues from a respondent’s
perspective which investigates how the people practically manage the psychological themes as
well as concepts like emotion, intent and agency. The main key element used in the discursive
psychology is managing mind in order to maintain the world relationship. Rather than viewing
the relationship from the traditional perspective. Hence, it provides a rigorous empirical
approach which is used to analyse talk in interaction.
Pros: Through this approach, an individual is able to examine the role of psychological issues by
using traditional social cognitive approaches.
Cons: It generally ignore the past interactions and experience which shape up the people’s
identities. Thus, it generally do not consider the factor that might affect the results in adverse
manner.
Social Psychology: It is the study who mainly focus upon how individual thinks about,
influence and also related to another. There are many components linked with this which
includes social cognition, attitude, violence and aggression, social identity and social influence.
Thus, all the above mentioned approaches are directly related to this aspect and try to solve the
social problem as well.
Differences and similarities:
The basic similarity between all these approaches in the social psychology aspect is
related to social identity of an individual and that is why, it helps them to identify the key issues
perfumed within an individual. However, by comparing the same, the basic difference between
the social identity and social cognitive theory is such that identity theory possess that individual
is regulate their behaviour in such a manner that is consistent within their goal identity (Buunk,
Dijkstra and Van Vugt, 2021). On the other side, social cognitive theory is measuring social
cognition which is important in behaviour regulations as compared to identity.

Moreover, they both shared a common theme which is related to social identity and
analyse their behaviour pertaining to social identity. In addition to this, on contrary side, there is
a difference between social cognition and discursive approach such that discursive is based upon
the participant’s views whereas social cognition is depend upon the behaviour which an
individual performed during the social gathering. Hence, it can be stated that all the approaches
are complied with social psychology where such approaches assist to understand yourself as well
as surrounding world. These approaches also assist to understand how people view other and
behave in order to gain the greater appreciation for how the social relationship affects the
individual functioning. That is why, the differences between such approaches relied upon the
perspective to see yourself as well as world, nevertheless similarity is related to address the
social issue by observing the same through their own eyes.
CONCLUSION
By summing up above it has been concluded that personality traits reflect the personal
characteristic and the pattern of thoughts as well as feeling. The implication of measurement of a
personality trait also reflected that there are five important measurement used in order to
determine the personality trait which they possess. Moreover, it has been concluded that there are
main components of social psychology in which some of them are social identity, social
cognition and discursive approach. These work to understand the behaviour of an individual but
somehow have difference in order to understand their views in order to understand the society.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Prentice, C., Zeidan, S. and Wang, X., 2020. Personality, trait EI and coping with COVID 19
measures. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 51. p.101789.
Sudha, K. S. and Shahnawaz, M. G., 2020. Narcissism personality trait and performance: task-
oriented leadership and authoritarian styles as mediators. Leadership & Organization
Development Journal.
Jankowsky, K., Olaru, G. and Schroeders, U., 2020. Compiling measurement invariant short
scales in cross–cultural personality assessment using ant colony optimization. European
Journal of Personality. 34(3). pp.470-485.
Brehm, A.M., Tironi, S. and Mortelliti, A., 2020. Effects of trap confinement on personality
measurements in two terrestrial rodents. PloS one. 15(1). p.e0221136.
Zettler, I., Moshagen, M. and Hilbig, B.E., 2020. Stability and change: The Dark Factor of
Personality shapes dark traits. Social Psychological and Personality Science,
p.1948550620953288.
Baumeister, R. F. and Bushman, B. J., 2020. Social psychology and human nature. Cengage
Learning.
Crisp, R. J. and Turner, R. N., 2020. Essential social psychology. Sage.
Easterbrook, M. J. and Hadden, I. R., 2021. Tackling educational inequalities with social
psychology: Identities, contexts, and interventions. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1),
pp.180-236.
Hodgetts, D. and et.al., 2020. Social psychology and everyday life. Red Globe Press.
Buunk, A.P., Dijkstra, P. and Van Vugt, M., 2021. Applying social psychology: From problems
to solutions. Sage.
Online
Measuring the big five Personality domains. 2020. [Online]. Available through: <
https://psdlab.uoregon.edu/measuring-the-big-five-personality-domains/>.
Social cognitive theory. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/health-promotion/2/theories-and-models/social-
cognitive>.