AP Psychology - Chapter 10.1

Personality

an individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting

• This means it is consistent over time and in different situations

psychodynamic theory

proposes that unconscious processes influence, and essentially drive, personality

Humanistic theories

focus on our inner capacity for growth and self-fulfillment

What did Freud conclude in treating patients whose disorders had no clear physical explanation?

these problems reflected unacceptable thoughts and feelings that were hidden away in the unconscious mind

Free association

a method of exploring the unconscious by relaxing and saying whatever comes to mind; the therapist looks for themes

What did Freud believe?

personality results from conflict arising from the interaction among the mind's three systems

Id

pleasure principle - impulses that demand immediate gratification

Superego

internalized set of ideals (conscience) - how we ought to behave

Ego

reality principle - conscious thought; satisfy/mediate id & superego in acceptable way

What did Freud believe anxiety was?

the product of tensions between the demands of the id and superego

Defense Mechanisms

in psychoanalytic theory, the ego's unconscious tactics that protect the conscious mind

How does the ego cope?

by using unconscious defense mechanisms to reduce tension, even if it means using self-deception

Various defense mechanisms

Repression, Regression, Projection, Rationalization, Reaction Formation, Displacement, Sublimation, & Denial

Repression

pushing away unwanted thoughts

Regression

retreating to an earlier immature age

Projection

disguising your own thoughts and attributing them to others

Rationalization

self-justification/logical excuses

Reaction formation

adopting behaviors/attitudes/beliefs that are opposite true feelings/desires

Displacement

shifting fear/aggression towards less threatening objects

Sublimation

unacceptable drives are unconsciously channeled into socially acceptable modes of expression

Denial

refusing to accept/believe reality

How do psychodynamic theorists use projective tests (think 'psychological x-ray') to gain insight to the road into the unconscious?

By asking clients to interpret ambiguous images, the psychologist may presume that the client is revealing unconscious thoughts - their hopes desires fear etc.

What did Swiss psychoanalyst Hermann Rorschach create in 1921?

the most widely used projective test - the Rorschach inkblot test

By the 1960s, what were some psychologists becoming discontented with?

the psychodynamic theory and the behaviorist approach

Who offered approaches that emphasized the way people strive for self- determination through their experiences and feelings?

Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers

Rogers felt that all people are endowed with self-actualizing tendencies unless…?

they are thwarted by an environment that inhibits growth

3 steps of Roger’s growth-promoting social climate:

Acceptance, Congruence, and Empathy

Acceptance

an accepting person offers unconditional positive regard (attitude of acceptance)

• If your coach only likes you if you get to Districts, that is conditional positive regard

Congruence (genuineness);

being open/honest with our feelings (both client and therapist)

Empathy

sharing/mirroring/understanding others' feelings

• A central feature of personality is one's self concept - all the thoughts and feelings about ourselves in answer to the question 'Who am I?'; includes how we view ourselves in relation to others

What do Humanistic psychologists sometimes reject?

standardized assessments of personality and instead rely on interviews and conversations

Factor analysis

a statistical technique that measures correlations between variables [factors]