Question

Which of the following would be an inductive approach to the study of personality?

A. After you spend time developing a theory about personality and people's behaviors at parties, you then go to a party to observe people.
B. After reading several journal articles about personality and social interaction, you then collect data on the topic.
C. After observing people at a party, you decide that extroverts enjoy parties more than introverts do.
D. After reading Freud's theory, you decide to examine people's behavior at a party.

Answer 1

Option C is an example of an inductive approach to studying personality, as it starts with observations and builds towards a general theory. It is related to the concept of extroversion and introversion, core to current personality models.

Step-by-step explanation:

An inductive approach to the study of personality involves making observations and then developing theories based on those observations. Option C, "After observing people at a party, you decide that extroverts enjoy parties more than introverts do," is an example of an inductive approach because it is based on specific observations that lead to a general conclusion about personality traits and enjoyment of social situations.

Sigmund Freud's method of developing his theory through in-depth interviews is referred to as a case study, which is a research approach that can provide detailed information about individuals but may have limited generalizability. Carl Jung introduced concepts of extroversion and introversion, which are central to current models of personality.