Cognitive and Biological Perspectives on Personality

Individual Traits

Unique personality traits specific to a person.

Common Traits

Traits shared by people in similar cultures.

Functional Autonomy

Traits develop independently of their original causes.

The Proprium

Core sense of self that develops in 8 stages.

8 Stages of the Proprium

Bodily self, Self-identity, Self-esteem, Self-extension, Self-image, Self as rational coper, Propriate striving, Self as knower.

Well-Developed Proprium

Purpose, close relationships, realistic worldview, humor, ethics.

Julian Rotter - Expectancy (E)

Anticipation of being rewarded for behavior.

Behavior Potential (BP)

Likelihood of behavior in a situation.

Reinforcement Value (RV)

Importance of a specific reinforcement.

Locus of Control

Internal: Outcomes depend on own efforts. External: Outcomes depend on luck or fate.

Albert Bandura - Self-Efficacy

Belief in one's ability to handle life's challenges.

Self-Reinforcement

Regulating behavior by rewarding yourself.

Agency

Intentionality, Forethought, Self-reactiveness, Self-reflectiveness.

Social Learning Theory

Learning through observation (e.g., Bobo Doll experiment).

Self-Reinforcement vs External Rewards

Setting goals for yourself rather than waiting for external rewards.

Idiographic Methods

Focus on unique aspects of individuals (case studies).

Nomothetic Methods

Focus on general traits in groups of people.

Pleiotropy

One gene affects multiple traits.

Epistasis

Multiple genes interact to influence one trait.

Epigenetics

Environmental factors that change gene expression.

Evolved Psychological Mechanisms (EPMs)

Traits that help us survive and reproduce.

Twin Studies

Examine heritability of traits through genetics and environment.

Limbic System

Brain structure for emotions and survival responses.

Amygdala

Controls fear and aggression.

Hippocampus

Converts short-term to long-term memory.

Insula Cortex

Self-awareness and emotional experience.

Genes & Behavior

Genes can activate/suppress other genes and impact traits indirectly.

Zahavian Handicap

Traits that appear disadvantageous but signal genetic fitness (e.g., peacock tails).

Prisoner's Dilemma

Mutual cooperation is rewarded; selfishness provides short-term gains.

Reciprocal Altruism

Helping others with the expectation of help in return.

Personality Disorder Definition

Enduring and inflexible traits that deviate from cultural expectations and impair functioning.

Cluster A Disorders

Odd/Eccentric: Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal.

Cluster B Disorders

Dramatic/Emotional: Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic.

Cluster C Disorders

Anxious/Fearful: Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive.

Splitting

Viewing people as either "all good" or "all bad."

Aaron Beck - Cognitive Distortions

Overgeneralization: Judging based on one event. Personalization: Taking blame for unrelated events. Magnification/Minimization: Exaggerating or downplaying.

Attachment Styles

Secure: Trusting and balanced. Anxious: Fear of abandonment. Avoidant: Values independence, avoids intimacy. Disorganized: Unstable and unpredictable relationships.

Still Face Experiment

Shows the effect of emotional neglect on infants.

Object Relations Theory

Poor internalized relationships lead to inconsistent behaviors.

Ego Psychology

The ego manages life's struggles; dysfunction causes instability.

Rational Emotive Behavior Theory (REBT)

Focus on how beliefs influence emotions and behaviors.

Irrational Beliefs

Dysfunctional, extreme beliefs that create distress.

Musturbation

The "must" demands placed on oneself or others.

Awfulizing

Exaggerating negative events.

Low Frustration Tolerance

Belief that struggles are intolerable.

ABC Model

A: Activating Event, B: Belief, C: Consequences, D: Disputing Beliefs, E: Effective New Beliefs.

Defense Mechanisms

Ineffective coping strategies used to avoid anxiety.

Hedonism

Pursuing pleasure; responsible hedonism focuses on long-term goals.

Unconditional Self-Acceptance

Accepting yourself and others without judgment.

Goal of REBT

Replace irrational beliefs with rational, healthier ones for long-term change.