Personality and Psychological Theories

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to personality and psychological theories, including terminology from psychoanalytic, humanistic, and trait approaches.

Psychic Determinism

The idea that everything has a cause—there are no accidents or free will.

Id

Part of the mind that operates on the pleasure principle, driven by primitive drives.

Ego

Part of the mind that operates on the reality principle and employs defense mechanisms.

Superego

The moral component of personality that internalizes rules and standards.

Repression

A defense mechanism that blocks memories into unconsciousness.

Projection

A defense mechanism where one attributes their own faults to others.

Manifest Content

The literal content of dreams as experienced by the dreamer.

Self-Actualization

The realization of one's potential, the goal of Maslow's theory.

Conditional Positive Regard

Acceptance that is dependent on certain conditions being met.

Trait Approach

A framework that focuses on stable traits as the basis for personality.

Reciprocal Determinism

The idea that personal factors, behavior, and environmental factors influence each other.

Schizophrenia

A severe brain-based disorder marked by distorted thought processes and perceptions.

Cognitive Triad

Beck's concept of negative thoughts about self, world, and future contributing to depression.

Dissociative Disorders

Disorders characterized by a separation from conscious awareness of thoughts and feelings.

Biomedical Therapy

Treatment of psychological disorders through medication or other medical interventions.

Free Association

A psychodynamic technique where patients speak freely to uncover unconscious processes.

Transference

The phenomenon where patients project feelings about important people onto their therapist.