Psych 101: Introduction to Psychology - Personality

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts from Chapter 10 on Personality in Introduction to Psychology, focusing on various theoretical perspectives, stages of personality development, and assessment methods.

Psychodynamic Perspectives

Theoretical perspectives that emphasize the influence of the unconscious mind and childhood experiences on personality.

Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory

The theory by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes the role of unconscious drives and experiences in shaping personality.

Psychoanalysis

A therapeutic approach that aims to provide insight into unconscious conflicts causing psychological distress.

Id

The part of personality that operates on the pleasure principle, containing basic instinctual drives.

Ego

The part of personality that mediates between the demands of reality, the id, and the superego.

Superego

The aspect of personality that internalizes societal standards and morality.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious tactics used by the ego to reduce anxiety through distorting reality.

Denial

A defense mechanism where the ego refuses to acknowledge painful realities.

Displacement

A defense mechanism involving directing emotional impulses at a less threatening target.

Sublimation

A defense mechanism that channels unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable actions.

Projection

A defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own undesirable traits onto others.

Reaction Formation

A defense mechanism that converts unwanted thoughts into their opposites.

Repression

The defense mechanism that pushes unacceptable thoughts into the unconscious mind.

Psychosexual Stages

Freud's stages of childhood development that shape personality through conflicts at each stage.

Oral Stage

The first psychosexual stage, occurring from birth to 18 months, focused on oral pleasures.

Anal Stage

The second psychosexual stage, from 18 months to 3 years, associated with bowel and bladder control.

Phallic Stage

The third psychosexual stage, from ages 3 to 6, where the focus is on the genitals and Oedipal complex.

Oedipal Complex

A child's desire to replace the same-sex parent and possess the opposite-sex parent.

Latency Period

A stage from age 6 to puberty where sexual feelings are suppressed.

Genital Stage

The final stage of psychosexual development, beginning in adolescence, focused on mature sexual intimacy.

Critics of Psychodynamic Theory

Critiques argue that Freud's model overemphasizes sexuality and childhood experiences.

Horney's Sociocultural Approach

Focuses on the role of social relationships and feelings of security in personality development.

Jung's Analytical Theory

Emphasizes the importance of the collective unconscious and archetypes in personality.

Archetypes

Universal symbols shared across cultures that influence personality and behavior.

Adler's Individual Psychology

Focuses on conscious thought and the social influences on personality, especially birth order.

Five-Factor Model

Model outlining five broad dimensions of personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism.

Openness to Experience

A personality trait characterized by imagination, curiosity, and a willingness to try new things.

Conscientiousness

A trait denoting reliability, organization, and goal-directed behavior.

Extraversion

A personality trait associated with sociability, enthusiasm, and assertiveness.

Agreeableness

A trait reflecting kindness, empathy, and cooperative behavior.

Neuroticism

A trait associated with emotional instability and a tendency toward negative emotions.

Social Cognitive Theory

Bandura's theory that personality is shaped by social influences and cognitive processes.

Observational Learning

Learning through observing others' behaviors and the outcomes of those behaviors.

Locus of Control

The degree to which individuals believe they can control events affecting them.

Self-Efficacy

Belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations.

CAPS Theory

Mischel's theory focusing on cognitive-affective units influencing personality.

Delay of Gratification

The ability to put off immediate rewards for larger future rewards, associated with self-control.

Biological Perspectives

The view that biological processes, including genetics and brain function, significantly influence personality.

Eysenck's Arousal Regulation Theory

The theory stating that personality traits like extraversion and introversion are linked to arousal levels.

Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory

Gray's theory that explains responses to rewards and punishments through the Behavioral Activation System and the Behavior Inhibition System.

Neurotransmitters and Personality

Chemicals in the brain that influence various personality traits, such as dopamine and serotonin.

Personality Assessment

Various methods used to measure and evaluate personality traits.

Self-Report Tests

Tests requiring individuals to describe their own traits and behaviors.

MMPI

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, a commonly used self-report questionnaire.

NEO-PI

NEO Personality Inventory, assesses the Big Five personality traits and their sub-factors.

Projective Tests

Assessment methods involving ambiguous stimuli to uncover unconscious desires.

Rorschach Inkblot Test

A projective test involving interpretation of inkblot images.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A projective test where individuals create stories from ambiguous images.

Peer Ratings

Assessment method involving evaluations by friends or colleagues.

Behavioral Observations

Assessment through observing an individual's behavior in various contexts.

Brain Imaging

Techniques used to visualize brain activity and structure in relation to personality.