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Psychodynamic Theory

A theory of personality developed by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes the role of unconscious processes, early childhood experiences, and inner conflicts in shaping behavior and personality.

Id

The primitive, instinctual part of the personality that operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification of basic drives and desires.

Ego

The part of personality that operates on the reality principle, mediating between the unrealistic demands of the id and the constraints of the external world.

Superego

The component of personality that represents internalized societal and parental standards of right and wrong.

Ego Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies the ego uses to manage anxiety and internal conflicts between the id and superego.

Denial

A defense mechanism involving refusal to accept reality or facts, blocking external events from awareness.

Displacement

A defense mechanism that involves shifting emotional impulses from a threatening target to a safer or more acceptable one.

Projection

A defense mechanism where one attributes their own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others.

Rationalization

Creating logical but false explanations for behaviors or feelings that are actually driven by unconscious motives.

Reaction Formation

A defense mechanism that involves converting unacceptable impulses into their opposites.

Regression

Reverting to behaviors characteristic of an earlier stage of development when faced with stress or conflict.

Repression

Unconsciously blocking unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or desires from conscious awareness.

Sublimation

Channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable or constructive activities.

Projective Tests

Psychological assessment tools that present ambiguous stimuli to individuals, revealing aspects of their personality and internal conflicts.

Humanistic Psychology

A psychological perspective that emphasizes the study of the whole person and the uniqueness of each individual, focusing on potential and personal growth.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Accepting and valuing a person without conditions or judgments, key in person-centered therapy.

Self-Actualizing Tendency

The inherent drive within individuals to realize their full potential and become the best version of themselves.

Social-Cognitive Theory

A theory of personality that emphasizes the interaction between individuals and their environment and posits that learning occurs in a social context.

Reciprocal Determinism

The concept that behavior, personal factors, and environmental influences all interact and influence each other bidirectionally.

Self-Efficacy

An individual's belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish tasks.

Self-Esteem

The overall sense of self-worth or personal value, broader than self-efficacy.

Trait Theories

Theories of personality that focus on identifying and measuring individual personality characteristics known as traits.

The Big-Five Theory

A model describing personality in terms of five broad dimensions: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (OCEAN).

Openness

A trait characterized by creativity and willingness to try new things.

Conscientiousness

A trait that includes organization, dependability, and discipline.

Extraversion

A trait associated with sociability, assertiveness, and excitement-seeking.

Agreeableness

A trait reflecting compassion, cooperation, and trust in others.

Neuroticism

A trait indicating a tendency toward emotional instability and negative emotions.