Since 2000, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has been producing the documentary Child of Our Time, in which they follow 25 children from birth to the teenage years. In 2010, in two episodes titled “The Big Personality Test" researchers visited children’s homes and schools and conducted interviews with parents and grandparents. They also conducted a number of experiments and observations in an effort to highlight unique aspects of development, with an emphasis on personality.
For this exercise, watch “The Big Personality Test” Episode 1 on YouTube. When you search for the episode by title, you will find that it is divided into six segments. You will have to click on each of the six segments to view an entire episode. Each segment is approximately 10 minutes long.
As you watch the Episode 1, answer the following questions:
List and briefly define the five basic personality traits that are the focus of the episode.
The first experiment described in the episode was an assessment of extraversion. How did researchers assess extraversion in the children and their families?
What difficulties did Helena face due to her prematurity? How do Helena’s parents and teacher describe her personality?
Alex and Ivo are identical twins. This means they share 100 percent of their genetic material. Are the boys identical in personality? How do environmental factors help shape personality in children?
According to the documentary, how do neurotic individuals respond to stressful situations? Include examples from the episode in your answer.
How has Paris’s life experiences likely contributed to his tendency toward neuroticism?
How does low conscientiousness affect children’s schoolwork?
In the documentary, how was creative intelligence assessed? That is, what task did researchers present to the children?
In the research study described in the documentary, which country in the United Kingdom scored highest in extraversion?
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According to the documentary, both _____ and low conscientiousness involve areas of the brain responsible for attention and planning.
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The narrator states that of all the Big Five personality traits, _____ is the least inherited and most affected by what happens to us and what we learn.
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In the segment focusing on Paris, the narrator points out that there is a plus side to neuroticism. Explain how neuroticism can have positive benefits.