Chapter 12 (Unit 5)

archetypes

ancestral memories referred to by Carl Jung

Not memories of actual personal experiences but rather emotionally charged images and thought forms that have universal meaning

Behaviourism

theoretical orientation based on the premise that scientific psychology should study only observable behaviour

collective unconscious

A deeper level of the unconscious that contains shared memories and instincts inherited from human ancestors

Includes universal patterns of thought called archetypes that are common to all humans

collectivism

involves putting the group goals ahead of personal goal and defining one's identity in the terms of the group one belongs to

compensation

involves efforts to overcome imagined or real inferiorities by developing one's abilities

conscious

The part of the mind containing thoughts, perceptions, and awareness currently in attention

defence mechanisms

largely unconscious reactions that protect a person from unpleasant emotions such as anxiety and guilt

displacement

diverting emotional feelings from their original source to a substitute target

Ego

the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle

extraverts

individuals who are outgoing, sociable, and energized by interaction with others; a key personality dimension in trait theories

factor analysis

A statistical method used to identify clusters of related traits or variables, often used to discover underlying personality dimensions

fixation

a failure to move forward from one stage to another as expected

hierarchy of needs

a systematic arrangement of needs, according to priority, in which basic needs must be met before less basic needs are aroused

hindsight bias

the tendency to mould one's interpretation of the past to fit how the events actually turned out

humanism

a theoretical orientation that emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, especially their freedom and potential for personal growth

Id

the primitive, instinctive component of personality that operates according to the pleasure principle

identification

bolstering self-esteem by forming an imaginary or real alliance with some person or group

incongruence

the degree of disparity between one's self concept and one's actual experience

individualism

involves putting personal goals ahead of group goals and defining one's identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group memberships

introverts

a personality type characterized by reserved, quiet, and reflective behaviour, with energy gained from solitude or low-stimulation environments rather than social interaction

model

a person whose behaviour is observed by another

narcissism

a personality trait characterized by grandiosity, excessive self-focus, and a strong need for admiration

need for self-actualization

the drive to reach one's full potential and achieve personal growth, a key concept in humanistic psychology

observational learning

occurs when an organism's responding is influenced by the observation of others, called models

Oedipal complex

children manifest erotically tinged desires for their opposite-sex parent, accompanied by feelings of hostility toward their same-sex parent

personal unconscious

The part of the mind that contains memories, thoughts, and experiences that have been forgotten or repressed

Unique to each individual based on their personal life experiences

Personality

refers to an individual's unique constellation of consistent behavioural traits

personality trait

A relatively stable characteristic that influences how a person thinks, feels, and behaves across situations

phenomenological approach

a humanistic perspective focusing on an individual's subjective experiences and personal perceptions of reality

pleasure principle

demands immediate gratification of its urges

preconscious

mental material that is not currently in awareness but can be easily brought into conscious thought

projection

attributing one's own thoughts, feelings or motives to another

projective tests

ask participants to respond to vague, ambiguous stimuli in ways that reveal the subjects' needs, feelings, and personality traits

Thematic apperception test and Rorschach test (ten inkblots)

psychodynamic theories

include all of the diverse theories descended from the work of Sigmund Freud, which focus on the unconscious mental forces

psychosexual stages

developmental periods with a characteristic sexual focus that leave their mark on adult personality

rationalization

creating false but plausible excuses to justify unacceptable behaviour

reaction formation

behaving in a way that is exactly opposite of one's true feelings

reality principle

seeks to delay gratification of the id's urges until appropriate outlets and situations can be found

reciprocal determinism

the idea that internal mental events, external environmental events and overt behaviour all influence one another

regression

a reversion to immature patterns of behaviour

repression

keeping distressing thoughts and feelings buried in the unconscious

self-actualizing persons

people with exceptionally healthy personalities marked by continued personal growth

self-concept

a collection of beliefs about one's own nature, unique qualities and typical behaviour

self-efficacy

refers to one's belief about one's ability to perform behaviours that lead to expected outcomes

self-enhancement

involves focusing on positive feedback from others, exaggerating one's strengths and seeing oneself as above average

self-report inventories

personality tests that ask individuals to answer a series of questions about their characteristic behaviour

striving for superiority

a key concept in Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology: the innate drive to overcome personal limitations, improve oneself, and achieve mastery or success

Seen as a healthy motivator for growth and personal development

sublimation

occurs when unconscious, unacceptable impulses are channelled into socially acceptable perhaps even admirable behaviours

superego

the moral component of personality that incorporates social standards about what represents right and wrong

unconscious

A level of the mind containing thoughts, memories, and desires outside conscious awareness that influence behaviour