Chapter 10 PSYC 1100

Personality

A pattern of enduring, distinctive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that characterize how an individual adapts.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Theoretical view emphasizing that personality is primarily unconscious and shaped by early childhood experiences.

Id

The Freudian structure of personality consisting of unconscious drives; operates on the pleasure principle.

Ego

The Freudian structure of personality that deals with the demands of reality; operates on the reality principle.

Superego

The Freudian structure of personality that serves as the harsh internal judge of our behavior; our conscience.

Defense Mechanisms

Tactics the ego uses to reduce anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality.

Denial

Defense mechanism where the ego refuses to acknowledge anxiety-producing realities. Example: Refusing a cancer diagnosis.

Displacement

Defense mechanism directing unacceptable impulses at a less threatening target. Example: Yelling at your dog instead of your boss.

Repression

The most powerful defense mechanism; pushes unacceptable id impulses back into the unconscious mind.

Freud's 1st Psychosexual Stage

Oral Stage (first 18 months): Infant's pleasure centers on the mouth.

Freud's 2nd Psychosexual Stage

Anal Stage (18 to 36 months): Child's pleasure involves eliminative functions of the anus and urethra.

Freud's 3rd Psychosexual Stage

Phallic Stage (3 to 6 years): Pleasure focuses on the genitals; triggers the Oedipus complex.

Freud's 4th Psychosexual Stage

Latency Period (6 years to puberty): Psychic time-out where interest in sexuality is repressed.

Freud's 5th Psychosexual Stage

Genital Stage (adolescence and adulthood): Sexual reawakening; source of sexual pleasure shifts outside the family.

Humanistic Perspective

Theoretical view stressing a person's capacity for personal growth and positive human qualities.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Rogers's term for being accepted, valued, and treated positively regardless of one's behavior.

Self-Concept

Our conscious representation of who we are and who we wish to become.

Conditions of Worth

Standards we must meet to receive positive regard from others, which can distort self-concept.

Trait Perspectives

Theoretical views stating that personality consists of broad, enduring dispositions (traits) that tend to lead to characteristic responses.

Big Five: Openness to Experience

Personality dimension characterized by imagination, curiosity, and a preference for variety.

Big Five: Conscientiousness

Personality dimension characterized by organization, dependability, discipline, and goal-directed behavior.

Big Five: Extraversion

Personality dimension characterized by sociability, assertiveness, and emotional expressiveness.

Big Five: Agreeableness

Personality dimension characterized by trust, altruism, kindness, and affection.

Big Five: Neuroticism

Personality dimension characterized by emotional instability, anxiety, and moodiness (also called emotional instability).

Social Cognitive Perspective

Theoretical view emphasizing conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals, incorporating behavioral principles.

Reciprocal Determinism

Bandura's concept that behavior, environment, and person/cognitive factors interact to create personality.

Internal vs. External Locus of Control

Internal: Belief that we control our own destiny. External: Belief that outside forces control our fate.

Self-Efficacy

The belief that one can master a situation and produce positive change.

Self-Report vs. Projective Tests

Self-report: Objective questionnaires directly asking about behavior. Projective: Subjective interpretations of ambiguous stimuli.

Empirically Keyed Test

A self-report test that presents questionnaire items to two groups known to differ on some trait.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

The most widely used and researched empirically keyed self-report personality test.

Face Validity

The extent to which a test item seems, on the surface, to fit the trait it is measuring.

Projective Test Examples

The Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).

Rorschach Inkblot Test

Projective test using 10 inkblots to identify people's inner feelings by analyzing their interpretations.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

Projective test designed to elicit stories that reveal an individual's subconscious needs and feelings.

Fanny M. Cheung, Ph.D.

Psychologist who co-developed the Chinese Personality Assessment Inventory (CPAI) to ensure cross-cultural validity.