Ch. 14 Theories of Personality

Personality

The consistent, enduring, and unique characteristics of a person

Unconscious

The part of the mind that contains material of which we are unaware but that strongly influences conscious processes and behaviors

Preconscious

The part of the mind that includes thoughts that can be recalled with relatively little effort, including memories of recent events or simple facts

Id

The part of the unconscious that contains our needs, drives, instincts, and repressed material

Ego

The part of the personality that is in touch with reality and strives to meet the demands of the drives for pleasure and the conscience

Superego

The part of the personality that is the source of conscience and counteracts the socially undesired impulses of the id

Defense mechanisms

Certain specific means by which the ego unconsciously protects itself against unpleasant impulses or circumstances

Rationalization

A defense mechanism in which a person makes up excuses for behavior

Repression

A defense mechanism in which a person pushes painful memories and thoughts to the unconscious because they cause too much anxiety

Denial

A defense mechanism in which a person refuses to accept reality because it causes anxiety

Projection

A defense mechanism in which a person throws their inner feelings outside themself and assigns them to others

Reaction formation

A defense mechanism in which a person replaces their unacceptable feeling with an opposite one

Regression

A defense mechanism in which a person goes back to an earlier, less mature pattern of behavior

Displacement

A defense mechanism in which a person transfers negative feelings from one thing to another

Sublimation

A defense mechanism in which a person redirects a forbidden desire into a socially acceptable desire

Collective unconscious

A storehouse of instincts, urges, and memories of the entire human species throughout history

Archetypes

Inherited, universal ideas that are present in every person and that reflect the common human experiences of mothers, fathers, nature, war, etc.

Inferiority complex

A pattern of avoiding feelings of inadequacy rather than trying to overcome their source

Self-efficacy

Our view of our ability to succeed

Self-actualization

The realization of our potential as unique individuals

The Self

Your image of who you are and what you value

Unconditional positive regard

The perception that your significant others value you for what you are as a whole person, and eventually, you value yourself the same way

Observational learning

A person acquires a new behavior by watching the actions of another person

Trait

A tendency to react in a situation in a way that remains stable over time

Cardinal trait

A characteristic that is so pervasive that the person is almost identified with it

Central trait

A characteristic that makes someone predictable in most situations

Secondary trait

A person's preference for things like food or music

Openness

The quality of being open to new experiences, open-minded and willing to try new intellectual experiences, creative experiences, or new ideas

Conscientiousness

The quality of being dutiful, dedicated to completing tasks, organized, and responsible, rather than being careless or impulsive

Extraversion

A quality associated with warmth, talkativeness, and being energetic

Introversion

A quality associated with being quiet or reserved

Agreeableness

The quality of being sympathetic to others, kind, and trusting.

Neuroticism

A tendency to experience unpleasant emotions frequently