4.4- Psychodynamic & Humanistic Theories of Personality

The Psychodynamic Psyche

Ego (conscious), Superego (preconscious), Id (unconscious)

Ego

The largely conscious, "executive" part of personality that, according to Freud, mediates among the demands of the id, superego, and reality. The ego operates on the reality principle, satisfying the id's desires in ways that will realistically bring pleasure rather than pain

Superego

The part of personality that, according to Freud, represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgment (the conscience) and for future aspirations

Id

A reservoir of unconscious psychic energy that, according to Freud, strives to satisfy basic sexual and aggressive drives. The id operates on the pleasure principle, demanding immediate gratification

Repression

The basic defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories from consciousness

Regression

Psychoanalytic defense mechanism in which an individual faced with anxiety retreats to an earlier developmental stage

Projection

Defense mechanism by which people disguise their own threatening impulses by attributing them to others

Displacement

Defense mechanism that shifts sexual or aggressive impulses toward a more acceptable or less threatening object or person, as when redirecting anger toward a safer outlet

Reaction Formation

Defense mechanism by which the ego unconsciously switches unacceptable impulses into their opposites

Rationalization

Defense mechanism that offers self-justifying explanations in place of the real, more threatening, unconscious reasons for one's actions

Denial

Defense mechanism by which people refuse to believe or even to perceive painful realities

Sublimation

Defense mechanism that channels socially unacceptable impulses into constructive, even admirable, behavior

Projective Tests

Personality assessments that present ambiguous visual stimuli to the client and ask the client to respond with whatever comes to mind (Rorschach Inkblot, Thematic Apperception)

Unconditional Positive Regard

An attitude of total acceptance toward another person

Self-Actualizing Tendency

The human motive toward realizing our inner potential

Ideal Self

One's perception of whom one should be or would like to be

Real Self

One's perception of actual characteristics, traits, and abilities