ap psych personality

Nature versus Nurture

The debate in psychology about the influence of biology (nature) and environment (nurture) on human behavior.

Behavior

An action or response of an individual influenced by internal or external stimuli.

Mental Processes

Internal cognitive activities such as thinking, dreaming, and problem-solving.

Traits Theory

A psychological approach that focuses on individual personality characteristics.

Gordon Allport

Psychologist known for emphasizing individual uniqueness in personality traits.

Hans Eysenck

Psychologist known for his three-dimensional theory of personality: psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism.

Hippocrates

Ancient physician who linked personality traits to bodily fluids (humors).

Big Five Factor Model

A model identifying five key personality traits: Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Openness, Extraversion.

Objective Personality Tests

Structured assessments that use standardized techniques to evaluate personality traits.

MMPI

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, used for assessing personality structure and psychopathology.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

A personality assessment categorizing individuals into 16 types based on Carl Jung's theory.

CPI

California Psychological Inventory, assessing interpersonal behavior and social interaction.

Personality Inventory

Self-report questionnaires that reveal aspects of an individual's character.

Factor Analysis

A statistical method identifying patterns in data for personality research.

Carl Rogers

Psychologist who developed client-centered therapy and emphasized Unconditional Positive Regard.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Valuing a person without any conditions attached.

Conditional Positive Regard

Acceptance that depends on meeting certain criteria or conditions.

Self-actualization

The realization of one's talents and potential, striving for personal growth.

Identity Status Categories

Marcia's categories describing adolescents' identity development: Diffusion, Moratorium, Foreclosure, Achievement.

Diffusion (Identity Status)

A state of having no commitments to one's identity.

Moratorium (Identity Status)

An active exploration phase in identity development.

Foreclosure (Identity Status)

Commitment to an identity without exploring alternatives.

Achievement (Identity Status)

Identity status achieved after exploration and commitment.

Erikson's Stages

Theory proposing eight psychosocial stages, each with a central conflict.

B.F. Skinner

Behaviorist known for developing the operant conditioning theory.

Albert Bandura

Psychologist who developed social learning theory, highlighting learning through observation.

Reciprocal Determinism

The interaction of personal, behavioral, and environmental factors in shaping behavior.

Internal Locus of Control

Belief that one can control their own outcomes through their efforts.

External Locus of Control

Belief that outcomes are determined by external factors such as luck.

Attribution Theory

Theory that examines how individuals explain the causes of behaviors.

Dispositional Attribution

Attributing behavior to inherent individual traits or characteristics.

Situational Attribution

Attributing behavior to external circumstances.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to overemphasize personal traits while minimizing situational influences.

Learned Helplessness

A condition where a person feels unable to control their environment after repeated failures.

Spotlight Effect

The belief that one is being noticed more than they actually are.

Self-Concept

Overall perception and understanding of oneself.

Self-Efficacy

The belief in one's abilities to succeed in specific situations.

Self-esteem

Sense of personal worth and value.

Self-serving Bias

Attributing successes to oneself and failures to external factors.

Individualist Cultures

Cultures that prioritize personal goals over group goals.

Collectivist Cultures

Cultures that emphasize group goals over individual achievements.

Sigmund Freud

Founder of psychoanalysis, known for the therapeutic dialogue between patient and analyst.

Conscious Mind

The part of the mind that holds current thoughts and perceptions.

Unconscious Mind

Part of the mind that influences behavior and emotions but is not accessible to consciousness.

Id

The part of the psyche that contains basic instinctual drives operating on the pleasure principle.

Ego

The rational aspect of the psyche mediating between id and reality.

Superego

The ethical component of the personality that provides moral standards.

Free Association

Psychoanalytic technique allowing patients to share thoughts freely.

Defense Mechanisms

Psychological strategies used to cope with reality and self-image.

Repression

A defense mechanism that involves burying uncomfortable thoughts in the unconscious.

Regression

A defense mechanism where individuals revert to earlier developmental stages under stress.

Reaction Formation

A defense mechanism where one behaves oppositely to their true feelings.

Projection

A defense mechanism that involves attributing one's feelings to others.

Rationalization

Providing logical reasons for emotional reactions.

Displacement

Redirecting emotions from a troubling target to a safer one.

Denial (Defense Mechanism)

Refusal to accept reality, blocking awareness of external events.

Sublimation

Transforming negative impulses into positive actions.

Projective Personality Tests

Tests that use ambiguous stimuli to evoke responses revealing personal feelings.

Rorschach Inkblot Test

A projective test that uses inkblots to analyze personality and emotional states.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A projective test where individuals create stories from ambiguous images to reveal motives.