Untitled Flashcards Set

Erich Fromm

A German social psychologist and philosopher known for his humanistic theory, emphasizing the importance of love, freedom, and the search for meaning.

Rollo May

An existential psychologist who emphasized the importance of human choice and responsibility.

Victor Frankl

An Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, known for developing logotherapy, a form of existential analysis.

Abraham Maslow

An American psychologist best known for creating Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Carl Rogers

A humanistic psychologist who developed Rogerian Therapy (client-centered therapy).

Existentialism

A philosophical movement that focuses on individual freedom, choice, and the search for meaning.

I-Thou Dialogue

A concept developed by Martin Buber, referring to a genuine, open, and reciprocal relationship between individuals.

I-It Monologue

Relating to others as objects or tools, without authentic connection or mutual understanding.

Being-in-the-world

A term from existential philosophy, referring to the human condition of being actively engaged in the world.

Positivism

A philosophical theory that asserts knowledge is valid only if it is observable and scientifically measurable.

Phenomenological

A philosophical approach that focuses on the lived experience of individuals.

Humanism

A psychological perspective that emphasizes the inherent goodness of people and self-actualization.

Human Potential Movement

A psychological and cultural movement that emerged in the 1960s, focused on exploring and realizing human potential.

Dialectical Tension

The idea that people experience conflicting desires or motivations in their lives.

Dialectical Humanism

A synthesis of existential and humanistic philosophies.

Existential Alienation

The sense of isolation and disconnection that individuals may feel.

Rogerian Therapy

A therapeutic approach developed by Carl Rogers emphasizing empathy and unconditional positive regard.

Logotherapy

A type of existential psychotherapy developed by Viktor Frankl, focusing on finding meaning in life.

Self-Actualization

The realization or fulfillment of one's talents, potential, and creativity.

Peak Experience

A moment of intense joy, creativity, and fulfillment.

Deficiency Need (D-Needs)

Needs related to survival and well-being that create tension when unmet.

Being Level (B-motives)

The higher-level needs in Maslow's hierarchy, including self-actualization.

Positive Psychology

A psychological approach that focuses on the study and promotion of positive aspects of human functioning.

American Paradox

The contrast between high levels of material success and low levels of happiness in the United States.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

A model ranking human needs from basic physiological needs to self-actualization.

Rogerian Therapy Three Tenets

1. Unconditional Positive Regard 2. Empathy 3. Congruence.

Harry Stack Sullivan

A psychiatrist focused on the role of interpersonal relationships in personality development.

Henry Murray

A psychologist known for developing the Personological System.

Walter Mischel

A psychologist best known for his work on the delay of gratification and the person-situation debate.

Konrad Lorenz

A biologist known for his work on imprinting and animal behavior.

Chumship

The concept of close friendship and companionship in childhood and adolescence.

Interpersonal Theory of Psychiatry

A theory suggesting personality development arises from social experiences.

Social Self

The part of an individual’s identity shaped by social interactions.

Illusion of Individuality

The belief that an individual’s personality is unique and independent.

Personological System

Henry Murray's model that focuses on the interplay between needs, motives, and environmental factors.

Environmental Press

External forces that influence behavior and personality development.

Thema

An individual's unique combination of needs and environmental pressures.

Delay of Gratification

The ability to resist immediate rewards for larger, long-term rewards.

Strategies

Plans or methods used to achieve goals or cope with challenges.

Competencies

Skills and abilities developed over time to handle various situations effectively.

Encoding Strategies

Methods used to encode and interpret information in social contexts.

Expectancies

Beliefs about likely outcomes based on past experiences.

Plans

Structured intentions designed to achieve specific goals.

Behavioral Signature

The unique pattern of behavior that emerges from personality in various situations.

Attribution Theories

Theories exploring how people explain the causes of behavior.

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that fire when an action is performed and when observed.

Ego-Resilient

The ability to adapt to challenges while maintaining psychological stability.

Cumulative Continuity

The concept that personality traits become more stable over time.

Readiness

A state of being prepared for a specific situation or challenge.

Critical Period

A window of time in development necessary for proper growth.

Imprinting

A rapid form of learning in early life, forming attachments to the first moving object encountered.

Mischel’s Critique of Personality

The argument that personality traits are influenced by situational factors.

Implicit Personality Theory

The idea that people make assumptions about others' personalities based on limited information.

Low vs. High Self-Monitoring

Low: Internal consistency across situations; High: Adjusting behavior to fit social cues.

Powerful Situation

A situation that strongly influences behavior, overriding personality traits.

Egoistic Dominance

A personality trait where an individual prioritizes their needs over social harmony.

Sex

Biological attributes that differentiate males and females.

Gender

Socially constructed roles, behaviors, and identities related to sex.

Masculinity

Attributes, behaviors, and roles traditionally associated with men.

Femininity

Attributes, behaviors, and roles traditionally associated with women.

Male-Female Differences

Psychological differences between males and females, often small.

Psychosomatic Medicine

A field examining the interaction between psychological factors and physical health.

Diathesis-Stress Model

Explaining mental health disorders as the result of genetic and environmental interaction.

Diathesis

Biological predisposition to a particular mental health disorder.

Terman Life-Cycle Study

A long-term study tracking gifted children and their development.

Self-Healing Personalities

Resilient individuals who recover from stress while thriving in meaningful environments.

Salutogenesis

A concept focusing on factors promoting health and well-being.

Coherence

A sense of understanding and predictability in life.

Murray’s Personological System

A theory emphasizing understanding the person as a whole.

Cultural Effects

Influences of cultural beliefs on individual behavior and identity.

Etic

An outsider’s perspective focused on universal aspects of culture.

Emic

An insider's perspective on culture, focusing on unique features.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one’s own culture is superior.

Collectivist Cultures

Cultures that emphasize group goals and interdependence.

Individualistic Cultures

Cultures that prioritize individual rights and personal achievement.

Race

A social construct used to categorize people based on physical characteristics.

Ethnic Group

A group of people sharing common cultural traits.

The American Dilemma

The tension between democratic ideals and historical racism.

SES Gradient

The relationship between socioeconomic status and health outcomes.

SES Status

An individual's social and economic position influencing behavior.

Idiolect

An individual's unique way of speaking.

Dialect

A form of language defined by regional or cultural factors.

Linguistic Relativity

The hypothesis that language influences thought and perception.

Stereotype Threat

The anxiety of confirming negative stereotypes about a social group.

Cultural Imperialism

The imposition of one culture's beliefs on another.

Purpose of Studying Culture in Personality Psychology

Understanding how culture shapes personality to explain behavioral differences.

Role of Culture, Ethnicity, and Religion in Personality

They shape values, beliefs, behaviors, and identity.

Language and Gender

How language influences perceptions of gender roles.

Eight Perspectives in Personality Psychology

1. Trait Perspective 2. Biological Perspective 3. Psychodynamic Perspective 4. Cognitive Perspective 5. Humanistic Perspective 6. Behavioral Perspective 7. Social-Cognitive Perspective 8. Existential Perspective.

Definition of Personality Psychology

The study of individual differences in thinking, feeling, and behaving.