psych unit 4

Personality

An individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting

Psychodynamic theories

Theories that view personality with a focus on the unconscious and the importance of childhood experiences

Psychoanalysis

Freud’s theory of personality that attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts; also the techniques used in treating psychological disorders by seeking to expose and interpret unconscious tensions

Unconscious

A reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories of which we are unaware

Free association

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

Id

A reservoir of unconscious psychic energy that strives to satisfy basic sexual and aggressive drives; operates on the pleasure principle

Ego

The largely conscious executive part of personality that mediates among the demands of the id, superego, and reality; operates on the reality principle

Superego

The part of personality that represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgment (the conscience) and for future aspirations

Defense mechanisms

The ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality

Repression

A defense mechanism that banishes anxiety

Collective unconscious

Carl Jung’s concept of a shared inherited reservoir of memory traces from our species’ history

Terror management theory

a theory of death-related anxiety; explores people' emotional and behavioral responses to reminders of their impending death

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A projective test in which people express their inner feelings and interests through the stories they make up about ambiguous scenes

Projective test

A personality test that provides ambiguous stimuli designed to trigger projection of one’s inner dynamics

Rorschach inkblot test

A projective test in which people describe what they see in a set of inkblots

Humanistic theories

Theories that view personality with a focus on the potential for healthy personal growth

Hierarchy of needs

Maslow’s pyramid of human needs beginning with physiological needs that must first be satisfied before higher

Self actualization

according to Maslow, one of the ultimate psychological needs that arises after basic physical and psychological needs are met self-esteem is achieved; the motivation to fulfill one's potential.

Self transcendence

the ability to move beyond personal concerns and connect with larger purposes, enhancing psychological well-being and personal growth

Unconditional positive regard

According to Rogers an attitude of total acceptance toward another person

Self concept

all our thoughts and feeling about ourselves, in answer to the question, "Who am I?"

Trait

A characteristic pattern of behavior or a disposition to feel and act as assessed by self

Personality inventory

psychological assessment tool that measures and evaluates various aspects of an individual's personality, such as traits, behaviors, and attitudes.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

The most widely researched and clinically used of all personality tests; originally developed to identify emotional disorders

Empirically derived test

A test developed by testing a pool of items and then selecting those that discriminate between groups

Big Five Factors

The five major personality factors openness conscientiousness extraversion agreeableness and neuroticism

Social cognitive perspective

human behavior is shaped by the dynamic interaction of personal factors, behavior, and the environment, with learning occurring through observation and cognitive processes.

Behavioral approach

Views personality as the result of conditioning and learning

Reciprocal determinism

The interacting influences of behavior internal cognition and environment

Self

In contemporary psychology assumed to be the center of personality the organizer of our thoughts feelings and actions

Spotlight effect

The tendency to overestimate others noticing and evaluating our appearance performance and blunders

Self esteem

one’s feelings of high or low self worth

Self efficacy

individuals belief in their ability to successfully perform tasks and achieve specific goals

Self-serving bias

a readiness to perceive oneself favorably.

Narcissism

Excessive self

Individualism

Giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes

Collectivism

Giving priority to the goals of one’s group often one’s extended family or work group and defining one’s identity accordingly