Theories of Personality: Key Concepts and Theorists Part 2

Personality

Pattern of traits giving consistency to behavior.

Theory of Personality

Organized explanation of personality development and differences.

Traits

Individual differences influencing consistent behavior over time.

Characteristics

Unique qualities such as temperature and intelligence.

Useful Theory

Generates research and is internally consistent.

Determinism vs. Free Choice

Debate on control over behavior and choices.

Pessimism vs. Optimism

Outlook on human potential for growth and happiness.

Causality vs. Teleology

Behavior explained by past experiences or future goals.

Conscious vs. Unconscious

Awareness of actions versus unconscious influences.

Biological vs. Social

Nature-nurture debate regarding personality development.

Uniqueness vs. Similarities

Focus on individual traits or common characteristics.

Hysteria

Disorder with paralysis or dysfunction of body parts.

Catharsis

Removing symptoms through talking about them.

Free Association Technique

Therapeutic method involving spontaneous verbalization.

Interpretation of Dreams

Freud's analysis of dreams for psychological insight.

Phylogenetic Endowment

Unconscious inherited from ancestral experiences.

Id

Pleasure principle seeking to reduce tension.

Ego

Reality principle reconciling id's demands with reality.

Superego

Moralistic principle demanding perfection without reality contact.

Conscience

Guides behavior based on punishment experiences.

Ego-Ideal

Guides behavior based on reward experiences.

Drive

Internal stimulus acting as a motivational force.

Sex Drive (Eros)

Motivation linked to sexual pleasure and erogenous zones.

Primary Narcissism

Libido focused exclusively on the self.

Secondary Narcissism

Moderate self-love transforming libido to object libido.

Love

Investment of libido on others instead of self.

Sadism

Pleasure from inflicting pain on others.

Masochism

Pleasure from suffering pain inflicted by self or others.

Aggression

Destructive drive aiming for an inorganic state.

Anxiety

Unpleasant state with physical sensations, ego-preserving.

Neurotic Anxiety

Apprehension about unknown danger from id dependence.

Moral Anxiety

Conflict between ego and superego causes distress.

Realistic Anxiety

Nonspecific feeling related to possible danger.

Defense Mechanisms

Ego strategies to manage anxiety and impulses.

Repression

Forcing threatening feelings into the unconscious.

Reaction Formation

Adopting opposite behavior to conceal repressed impulses.

Displacement

Redirecting urges onto different people or objects.

Fixation

Staying at a comfortable psychological stage due to anxiety.

Regression

Reverting to earlier developmental stage under stress.

Projection

Attributing one's unacceptable feelings to others.

Introjection

Incorporating positive qualities of others into self.

Sublimation

Repressing sexual aims by adopting cultural goals.

Rationalization

Making excuses to cover true reasons for actions.

Denial

Refusing to acknowledge anxiety-provoking information.

Oral Phase

Pleasure from sucking and biting in infancy.

Anal Phase

Pleasure from elimination; fixation leads to behaviors.

Anal Retentive

Characterized by neatness and behavioral rigidity.

Anal Expulsive

Characterized by messiness and carefree behavior.

Phallic Stage

Pleasure centered on genitals; Oedipus complex occurs.

Latency Stage

Repression of sexual thoughts; focus on skills.

Genital Stage

Puberty reawakens sexual impulses in development.

Dream Analysis

Transforming manifest content to latent content.

Manifest Content

Surface meaning of dreams described by dreamer.

Latent Content

Unconscious material represented in dreams.

Wish Fulfilment

Freud's belief that all dreams express desires.

Condensation

Manifest content is abbreviated from latent level.

Freudian Slips

Mistakes revealing unconscious thoughts or feelings.

Individual Psychology

Adler's theory emphasizing social interest and superiority.

Striving for Superiority

Dynamic force behind behavior according to Adler.

Inferiority Complex

Exaggerated feelings of personal inferiority.

Creative Power

Ability to shape behavior and personality freely.

Fictionalism

Behavior shaped by perceptions and future expectations.

Unity of Personality

Personality is unified and self-consistent.

Organ Dialect

Whole person strives toward a single goal.

Social Interest

Feeling of oneness with humanity and community.

Psychological Health

Measured by social interest according to Adler.

Style of Life

Flavor of a person's life reflecting personality.

Masculine Protest

Will to power, rejecting aggression as motivation.

Teleology

Behavior directed towards future goals and purposes.

Present Behavior

Shaped by individuals' views of the future.

Subjective Perceptions

Personal views shape behavior and personality.

Opposing Theory

Adler's theory contrasts with Freud's psychoanalysis.

Maladjustment

Inability to adapt to social environments.

Safeguarding Tendencies

Behaviors protecting self-esteem from threats.

Excuses

Rationalizations to avoid responsibility or change.

Depreciation

Undervaluing others to inflate self-worth.

Accusation

Blaming others for personal failures.

Self-Accusation

Self-blame leading to guilt or depression.

Withdrawal

Avoidance of challenges or difficulties.

Moving Backwards

Reverting to secure past for sympathy.

Standing Still

Avoiding responsibility by inaction.

Hesitating

Procrastination in facing difficult decisions.

Constructing Obstacles

Creating barriers to avoid challenges.

Family Constellation

Family dynamics influencing individual psychology.

Early Recollections

Memories shaping personality and behavior.

Dreams

Reflections of subconscious thoughts and desires.

Psychotherapy

Treatment aimed at enhancing courage and social interest.

Critique of Adler

Challenges in verifying Adler's psychological concepts.

Occult Phenomena

Supernatural influences affecting human behavior.

Collective Unconscious

Inherited emotional experiences from ancestors influencing behavior.

Archetypes

Universal symbols derived from the collective unconscious.

Analytical Psychology

Psychology focusing on opposites and unconscious influences.

Conscious

Ego's awareness; center of individual consciousness.

Personal Unconscious

Unique repressed experiences and memories of an individual.

Complexes

Emotionally charged ideas in the personal unconscious.

Shadow

Repressed qualities we deny in ourselves.

Persona

Public face presented to society; social identity.

Anima

Feminine aspect of male personality.

Animus

Masculine aspect of female personality.

Great Mother

Archetype symbolizing fertility and destruction.