PSYC 1000 – Module 8 Flashcards Personality

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to personality psychology, including definitions of personality, major theories, contributors to the field, and assessment methods.

What is personality?

An individual’s characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

What is the psychodynamic approach?

Emphasizes unconscious processes and early childhood experiences.

What are the id, ego, and superego?

Id: instincts; Ego: reality-based; Superego: morals.

What are defense mechanisms?

Unconscious strategies to reduce anxiety.

What are Freud’s psychosexual stages?

Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital.

What is fixation?

Being stuck in a developmental stage.

What was Adler’s contribution?

Inferiority complex and striving for superiority.

What did Erikson contribute?

Psychosocial stages across the lifespan.

What did Carl Jung contribute?

Collective unconscious and archetypes.

What did Karen Horney contribute?

Coping styles for anxiety.

What is reciprocal determinism?

Interaction of person, behavior, and environment.

What is self-efficacy?

Belief in one’s ability to succeed.

What is locus of control?

Beliefs about control over outcomes.

What is the person-situation debate?

Personality vs. situation influence on behavior.

What is the humanistic approach?

Focus on free will and personal growth.

What did Maslow contribute?

Hierarchy of needs and self-actualization.

What did Carl Rogers contribute?

Unconditional positive regard and person-centered therapy.

What does the biological approach emphasize?

Genetics and physiology.

What did twin studies show?

Personality has a genetic component.

What is heritability?

Degree to which traits are genetically influenced.

What is temperament?

Innate personality characteristics.

Who was Cattell?

Early trait theorist.

Who was Eysenck?

Trait theorist focusing on dimensions.

What are the Big Five traits?

Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism.

What is collectivist culture?

Group-focused values.

What is individualist culture?

Individual-focused values.

What is the MMPI?

A standardized personality assessment tool.

What are projective tests?

Tests using ambiguous stimuli to assess personality.