Self, Identity and Personality

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What is the mirror task/ rouge task?

It is a self-recognition test for children. A mark is made on the child's face using rouge makeup and then are shown their reflection in a mirror. If the child touches the mark on their face while looking in the mirror, they demonstrate that they have self-awareness. Children usually demonstrate self-awareness through this test at 16-24 months.

What are Marcia’s four identity statuses?

Identity Achievement (made a commitment, explored meaningful alternatives regarding identity questions),

Identity Moratorium (no commitment, but some exploration),

Identity Disclosure (commitment, but no exploration),

Identity Diffusion (no commitment, no exploration).

A person's placement in these identity statuses depends on two decisions: commitment and exploration.

What is temperament? What are its three classifications?

Temperament refers to major individual differences that are biologically based, and motor and emotional reactivity. It is considered biological because prenatal behavior is predictive of later temperament and environmental because it can be influenced by parenting. It seems to be stable as it develops into personality later on.

High reactive (Inhibited): least common, and very fearful or avoidant in unfamiliar situations.

Low reactive (uninhibited): easy-going and spontaneously approach novel people and objects.

Middle reactive: a mix of traits from high and low reactive

What did Kagan 1997 do to test temperament?

A longitudinal study, classified infants as high or low reactive after exposing them to colored toys, recordings of voices, cotton swabs with alcohol applied to the nose. Number of fear expressions observed in various lab situations. At follow-up, children were interviewed and their behaviors (such as talkativeness) observed.

How old were Kagan’s infants at first test, how old at retest?

At first test: 14 and 21 months old. At retest: 4 1/2 years old

What does early temperament predict?

From slides: Prenatal behavior is predictive of temperament, and early temperament is predictive of conformity and obedience; low reactives are more likely to disobey and be less intimidated by authority figures. In addition, temperament is predictive of later reactions to emotional discomfort.

From Kagan (1997): Infants with low threshold to become distressed and motorically aroused to unfamiliar stimuli are more likely than others to become fearful and subdued during early childhood, whereas infants who show a high arousal threshold are more likely to become bold and sociable.

What are the Big 5 factors of personality?

Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism