(EXAMPLES) AP Psych 4.4 - 4.5 🧠

Psychodynamic Theory

Feeling nervous around authority figures because of hidden childhood conflicts

Unconscious Mind

Forgetting a painful memory but it still affects your behavior

Ego Defense Mechanisms

Making excuses or changing behavior to avoid feeling anxious

Denial

Refusing to believe a test score is real after failing

Displacement

Yelling at a sibling because you’re mad at your teacher

Projection

Accusing someone else of being rude when you are actually being rude

Rationalization

Saying you failed because the test was unfair instead of not studying

Reaction Formation

Being overly nice to someone you actually dislike

Regression

Throwing a tantrum when things don’t go your way

Repression

Not remembering a traumatic event from childhood

Sublimation

Playing sports to release anger

Projective Tests

Looking at an unclear picture and describing it based on your own thoughts

Rorschach Inkblot Test

Saying an inkblot looks like something scary, revealing inner fears

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

Making up a story about a picture that reflects your own life feelings

Humanistic Theory

Working hard to improve yourself and reach your goals

Unconditional Positive Regard

Parents loving their child no matter what they do

Self-Actualizing Tendency

Practicing skills to become the best version of yourself

Social-Cognitive Theory

Your behavior changes depending on who you’re around and what you think

Reciprocal Determinism

Being friendly (behavior) makes others nicer (environment), which boosts your confidence (thoughts)

Self-Concept

Seeing yourself as a good student

Self-Efficacy

Believing you can pass a difficult test

Self-Esteem

Feeling proud of who you are

Trait Theories

Describing someone as always shy or always outgoing

Traits

Being consistently honest or kind

Big Five Theory

Describing personality using five main traits

Agreeableness

Helping a friend without being asked

Openness to Experience

Trying new foods or activities

Extraversion

Talking easily with new people at a party

Conscientiousness

Keeping your work organized and turning it in on time

Emotional Stability (Neuroticism)

Staying calm during stress or getting easily upset

Measurement (Personality)

Taking a personality quiz to see your traits

Factor Analysis

Grouping similar answers on a survey to find personality trait