Personality test flashcards

Psychoanalysis

Definition: “Freud's theory of personality that attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts

Example: A person may have an unexplained fear of spiders stemming from a getting a spider bite as a kid.”

Free Association

Definition: “A method of exploring the unconscious in which the person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind, no matter how trivial or embarrassing

Example: A therapist asks a patient to describe their first memory without walls up.”

Id

Definition: “A reservoir of unconscious psychic energy that strives to satisfy basic sexual and aggressive drives, operating on the pleasure principle.

Example: A child demands candy in the store, focusing on immediate gratification.”

Ego

Definition: “The largely conscious executive part of personality that mediates among the demands of the id, superego, and reality, operating on the reality principle.

Example: An adult decides to save money for a car rather than spending it all on immediate pleasures”.

Superego

Definition: “The part of personality that represents internalized ideals, providing standards for judgment and future aspirations.

Example: A person feels guilty for lying, reflecting their superego's moral standards.”

Oral Stage

Definition: “The first psychosexual stage focused on pleasure centers on the mouth.

Example: An infant finds comfort by sucking on their thumb or a pacifier.”

Anal Stage

Definition: “The second psychosexual stage where pleasure focuses on bowel and bladder elimination.

Example: A toddler experiences toilet training and may show resistance or compliance.”

Phallic Stage

“The third psychosexual stage where pleasure zone is in the genitals.

Example: A young boy develops a fascination with his own body and may exhibit rivalry with the father figure.”

Latency Stage

Definition: “The fourth psychosexual stage characterized by a phase of dormant sexual feelings.

Example: A child focuses on developing friendships and skills rather than sexual interests.”

Genital Stage

Definition: “The final psychosexual stage where mature sexual intimacy develops.

Example: A teenager begins to form romantic relationships.”

Identification

Definition: “The process by which children incorporate their parents' values into their developing superego.

Example: A child who admires a parent adopts their values and behaviors, such as honesty or teamwork.”

Fixation

Definition: “A lingering focus of pleasure-seeking energies at an earlier psychosexual stage where conflicts were unresolved.

Example: An adult may exhibit excessive dependency or clinginess, indicating unresolved issues from the oral stage.”

Defense Mechanisms

Definition: “Psychological strategies used to cope with reality and maintain self-image.

Example: A student blames a bad test score on a teacher rather than their own lack of preparation.”

Regression

Definition: “Retreating to a previous developmental stage due to anxiety.

Example: An adult throwing a temper tantrum when faced with stress.”

Reaction Formation

Definition: “Expressing the opposite of one's feelings to hide true emotions.

Example: A person who feels insecure about their appearance may constantly compliment others' looks excessively.”

Projection

Definition: “Attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others.

Example: Someone who is angry at their partner accuses them of being the one who is upset.”

Rationalization

Definition: “Offering excuses for an action or feeling while avoiding the real reasons.

Example: A person justifies cheating on a test by convincing themselves that everyone does it.”

Displacement

Definition: “Shifting aggressive impulses towards a more acceptable object.

Example: A person gets angry at their boss and then takes it out on their family at home.”

Sublimation

Definition: “Transforming unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable actions.

Example: A person channels their aggressive energy into competitive sports.”

Denial

Definition: “Refusing to accept reality or facts.

Example: A smoker refusing to believe that smoking is harmful to their health.”

Repression

Definition: “Blocking painful thoughts from conscious awareness. Example: A person who experienced a traumatic event might not remember it at all.”

Collective Unconscious

Definition: “Carl Jung's concept of shared, inherited memory traces from our species' history.

Example: Universal symbols in mythology that appear across different cultures.”

Projective Test

Definition: “A personality test that triggers projection of one's inner dynamics through ambiguous images.

Example: The Rorschach test uses inkblots to reveal hidden feelings.”

Thematic Apperception Test

Definition: “A projective test where people express inner feelings through stories made up about ambiguous scenes.

Example: Participants are shown a picture and asked to create a story, revealing their desires and conflicts.”

Rorschach Inkblot Test

Definition: “The most widely used projective test; a set of inkblots interpreted to understand inner feelings.

Example: A person sees a butterfly in one inkblot and a bat in another, which may reveal different aspects of their personality.”

Self-Actualization

Definition: “According to Maslow, the motivation to fulfill one's potential after basic physical and psychological needs are met.

Example: An artist pursuing their passion despite financial challenges, striving for creative fulfillment.”

Unconditional Positive Regard

Definition: “A caring, accepting, nonjudgmental attitude believed by Carl Rogers to help develop self-awareness.

Example: A parent offers love and support to their child regardless of their mistakes.”

Self-Concept

Definition: “All our thoughts and feelings about ourselves; the answer to the question 'Who am I?'.

Example: A person believes they are kind and hardworking, shaping their actions accordingly.”

Trait

Definition: “A characteristic pattern of behavior or disposition to feel and act, as evidenced by self-reports.

Example: Someone scoring high on the agreeableness trait may be seen as cooperative and empathetic.”

Personality Inventory

Definition: “A questionnaire designed to gauge a wide range of feelings and behaviors.

Example: The MMPI or similar tests used in psychological assessments.”

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

Definition: “The most widely researched and clinically used personality test, originally developed to identify emotional disorders.

Example: A psychologist uses the MMPI to assess a patient's mental health issues.”

Reciprocal Determinism

Definition: “The interacting influences of behavior, internal cognition, and environment.

Example: A person who is rewarded for studying is more likely to continue studying due to positive feedback from their environment.”

Spotlight Effect

Definition: “Overestimating others' noticing and evaluating our appearance and performance.

Example: A student feels everyone is focused on their awkward presentation more than they really are.”

Self-Efficacy

Definition: “One's sense of competence and effectiveness.

Example: A student believes they can master stats because of past success in mathematics.”

Self-Serving Bias

Definition: “The readiness to perceive oneself favorably.

Example: A team member credits their skill for winning a project while blaming others for any failures.”

Individualism

Definition: “Giving priority to one's own goals over group goals, defining identity in personal terms.

Example: A person pursuing a solo career despite the group's desire for collaboration.”

Collectivism

Definition: “Giving priority to the goals of one's group and defining identity accordingly.

Example: A team member putting group goals ahead of personal ambitions for the team's success.”

Big Five Personality Traits

Definition: “A model that includes Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

Example: Someone who is high in openness may enjoy trying new foods and traveling.”

Openness

Definition: “A personality trait reflecting a willingness to try new things and be open to new experiences.

Example: A person eager to explore different cultures and cuisines.”

Conscientiousness

Definition: “A personality trait characterized by organization, dependability, and a strong work ethic.

Example: An employee who always meets deadlines and keeps a tidy workspace.”

Extraversion

Definition: “A personality trait indicating how outgoing and socially confident a person is.

Example: A person who thrives at social gatherings and enjoys meeting new people.”

Agreeableness

Definition: “A measure of how friendly, cooperative, and compassionate a person is.

Example: A volunteer who is kind and understanding towards others in need.”

Neuroticism

Definition: “A personality trait indicating emotional instability and tendency towards anxiety.

Example: A person who frequently worries and feels anxious about their performance in social situations.”

Sigmund Freud

Definition: “The founder of psychoanalysis, known for his theories on the unconscious mind.

Example: Freud's analysis of dreams and their meanings in therapy”

Alfred Adler

Definition: “A psychoanalyst known for his theory of individual psychology and concepts of inferiority complex.

Example: An individual who feels inadequate strives for success to compensate for perceived shortcomings.”

Karen Horney

Definition: “A psychoanalyst known for her theories on neurosis and feminine psychology.

Example: Horney's ideas on the importance of social and cultural factors in shaping personality.”

Carl Jung

Definition: “A psychoanalyst known for his concepts of the collective unconscious and archetypes.

Example: Jung's notion of archetypes can be seen in recurring themes in literature and myths.”

Albert Bandura

Definition: “A psychologist known for his social learning theory and the concept of self-efficacy. '

Example: A child learns to tie their shoes by watching and imitating a parent.”