ap psych - unit 5 - psychodynamic & humanistic theories of personality

psychodynamic theory

unconscious processes

rationalization

• self-justifying explanations for bad behavior

• lying about the real reason for doing something

• replaces the real reasons we don’t want to admit

reaction formation

• when the ego switches socially unacceptable impulses to their opposites to hide their feelings

• person being nice to someone they can’t stand

regression

• retreat into a previous or immature stage of development

• person acting immature

• an adult throwing a temper tantrum

repression

• the banishment of unpleasant memories/feelings to unconscious

• causes us to “forget”

• results in freudian slips

2`ego defense mechanisms

denial

sublimation

• replacing a socially unacceptable passion/desire with a socially acceptable

• peeping tom — becomes playboy photographer

projective tests

preconscious mind

unconscious mind

displacement

• shifting sexual or aggressive impulses to more acceptable or less threatening person or object

projection

• disguising your own inappropriate or threatening impulses on others

• you hate your boyfriend—accuse him of hating you

humanistic psychology

unconditional regard

self-actualizing tendency