Psychology - Personality Exam II Study Guide

These flashcards cover key theorists and concepts related to personality development, focusing on Margaret Mahler, Alfred Adler, and Erik Erikson's theories.

Margaret Mahler

A theorist primarily focused on attachment, separation, and individuation in child development.

Bridge theorist

A theorist who connects concepts between different schools of thought; Mahler connects Freud's drive reduction to object relations.

Anxiety

A key role in child development that can affect attachment and separation.

Autistic children vs Symbiotically psychotic children

A distinction made by Mahler to classify different developmental paths.

Six Phases of Development

Mahler's stages including Primary Autism, Normal Symbiosis, Differentiation, Practicing, Rapprochement, and Separation & Individuation.

Conditional Hallucinatory Omnipotence

A psychological phenomenon observed in early development where the child believes they are omnipotent.

Stages of Attachment

Developmental phases including Indiscriminate, Selective, and Multiple Attachments.

Stranger Anxiety

Fear of strangers typically observed in infants as they develop attachment.

Attachment Styles

Patterns of attachment including Secure, Avoidant, and Anxious Ambivalent.

Alfred Adler

A humanistic theorist who emphasized social influences on personality and development.

Differences between Adler and Freud

Adler viewed the ego as a mediator in social contexts, contrasting Freud's view of it mediating between id and superego.

Striving for Superiority

Adler's concept that drives human behavior towards achievement and social interest.

Neurotic Safeguards

Defense mechanisms that individuals use to protect their self-esteem.

Birth Order

The concept that the order in which a child is born affects their development and personality traits.

Impact of Early Memories

Significant influence early memories and childhood experiences have on adult personality.

Erik Erikson

Psychologist known for his theory on psychosocial development consisting of 8 stages.

Psychosocial Development

A theory proposed by Erikson outlining 8 stages that include stages such as Trust vs Mistrust.

Virtues and Ritualization

Positive traits and socially accepted behaviors associated with each of Erikson's stages.

Crisis or Hazard

Challenges faced at each stage of development that can lead to positive or negative outcomes.

Healthy Development according to Erikson

Requires experiencing both positive and negative aspects, but dominance of positive experiences.

Acute Infantile Depression

A significant psychological state resulting from poor early attachment experiences.

Precocious Conscience

An early development of conscience that can affect a child's autonomy and initiative.

Identity vs Identity Confusion

A critical stage in adolescence where a person struggles to establish a coherent sense of self.

Freud and Erikson

While both theorists emphasized stages of development, their approaches to motivation and ego differed.

Societal and Cultural Forces

Erikson highlighted how these factors influence individual psychological development.

Stage 1: Trust vs Mistrust

The first stage of Erikson's theory, focusing on the reliability of caregivers.

Virtue of Hope

Emerged from successfully navigating Trust vs Mistrust.

Stage 2: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt

The second stage where children strive for independence.

Virtue of Will

Arises when children successfully develop autonomy.

Stage 3: Initiative vs Guilt

Children explore and initiate actions within their environment.

Virtue of Purpose

Developed from successfully navigating Initiative vs Guilt.

Stage 4: Industry vs Inferiority

Focuses on achievement and competence in skills.

Virtue of Competence

Develops when children gain a sense of industry.

Stage 5: Identity vs Role Confusion

The challenge of developing a stable identity during adolescence.

Virtue of Fidelity

Emerges from successfully navigating Identity vs Role Confusion.

Stage 6: Intimacy vs Isolation

The challenge of forming intimate relationships during young adulthood.

Virtue of Love

Develops when individuals successfully form deep connections.

Stage 7: Generativity vs Stagnation

Focuses on contributing to society and future generations.

Virtue of Care

Emerged when individuals engage productively in generativity.

Stage 8: Integrity vs Despair

The final stage reflecting on one's life for meaning and fulfillment.

Virtue of Wisdom

Results from successful navigation of the Integrity vs Despair stage.

Ritualism in Erikson's Theory

Refers to the misuse of rituals in the development process, such as totalism.