Unit 4 - Part 4 - Personality: Psychodynamic/analytic and Humanistic

This set of flashcards covers vocabulary terms related to personality theories, including psychodynamic and humanistic perspectives, defense mechanisms, and assessment methods.

Personality

Individual’s characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, which persist over time/situations.

Psychodynamic Theories

Focus on unconscious motives and conflicts, stemming from early childhood experiences.

Psychoanalysis

Freud’s theory that seeks to uncover unconscious conflicts and repressed thoughts.

Unconscious

A reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories that influence behavior.

Free Association

A person says whatever comes to mind without censorship, aiming to uncover unconscious thoughts.

Id

The primitive/instinctual part of the personality that operates on the pleasure principle, immediate gratification.

Ego

The rational, conscious part of the personality that operates on the reality principle, mediating between the desires of the id and the constraints of the superego.

Superego

The part of the personality that represents internalized moral values and societal standards (conscious).

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious psychological strategies used by the ego to reduce anxiety and protect itself.

Repression (DM)

Anxiety-provoking thoughts or memories are unconsciously pushed out of awareness.

Reaction Formation (DM)

Individual unconsciously switches unacceptable impulses into their opposites (e.g., acting overly kind to someone they dislike).

Projection (DM)

Individuals attribute their own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others (e.g., accusing someone else of being angry when they are the one feeling anger).

Rationalization (DM)

Individual justifies unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or behaviors with seemingly explanations (e.g., a student who fails a test blaming the teacher rather than their own lack of preparation).

Displacement (DM)

Emotions are redirected from their original source to a less threatening target (e.g., yelling at a sibling after being scolded by a teacher).

Sublimation (DM)

Unacceptable impulses are transformed into socially acceptable behaviors (e.g., channeling aggressive tendencies into sports).

Denial (DM)

Individual refuses to accept reality or recognize an anxiety-inducing truth (e.g., a smoker insisting that smoking isn’t harmful).

Inferiority Complex

Referring to feelings of inadequacy that may lead to overcompensation in other areas of life.

Collective Unconscious

Suggests all humans share a deep layer of unconscious memories inherited from ancestors.

Archetypes

Universal, symbolic images or themes found in myths, religions, and literature that arise from the collective unconscious (e.g., the hero, the mother figure, the shadow).

Terror-Management Theory

Humans cope with the anxiety of mortality by seeking meaning, reinforcing cultural worldviews, and boosting self-esteem.

Projective Test

A type of personality test designed to uncover unconscious desires and conflicts by presenting ambiguous stimuli and analyzing the test-taker’s responses.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

Individuals create stories based on ambiguous images (reveals unconscious).

Rorschach Inkblot Test

Individuals describe what they see in a series of inkblots (reveals unconscious).

Humanistic Theories

Focuses on individual potential, self-growth, and personal fulfillment. Humanistic theories emphasize free will, self-awareness, and the importance of a positive self-concept.

Hierarchy of Needs

Suggests human needs are arranged in a hierarchy, starting with basic physiological needs.

Self-Actualization

Representing the fulfillment of one’s potential and the pursuit of personal growth/meaning.

Self-Transcendence

Individual seeks meaning, purpose, and connection beyond themselves (spirituality or service).

Unconditional Positive Regard

Individual is accepted/valued without conditions, fostering self-acceptance/growth.

Genuineness

Where a person (therapist) expresses honesty and openness, which fosters trust and self-growth.

Empathy

Ability to understand and share the feelings of others.

Life Story Approach

Focuses on the unique narratives people construct about their lives to create meaning.

Self-Concept

Overall perception of themselves, including their beliefs, feelings, and self-image.