AP Psych Unit 4B Vocab

Personality

an individual’s characteristics patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting.

Psychodynamic theories

theories that view personality with a focus on the unconscious mind and the importance of childhood experiences

Psychoanalysis

Freud’s theory of personality that attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts; the technique used in treating psychological disorders by seeking to expos and interpret unconscious tensions.

Unconscious

according to Freud, a reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories. According to contemporary psychologists, information processing of which we are unaware.

Free Association

in psychoanalysis, a method of exploring the unconscious in which the person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind, no matter how trivial or embarrassing.

ID

is the primitive and unconscious part of the mind that contains our basic drives and instincts. It operates on the pleasure principle, which seeks immediate gratification of desires and needs, regardless of the consequences.

Ego

the rational part of the personality that operates according to the reality principle. It mediates between the demands of the Id (which seeks immediate gratification), the Superego (which represents moral standards), and external reality.

Superego

the part of the personality that represents internalized moral standards and ideals. It develops during childhood through interactions with parents and society and acts as a conscience, guiding behavior by imposing feelings of guilt or pride.

Collective Unconscious

Carl Jung’s concept of shared, inherited reservoir of memory traces from our specie’s history.

Terror management Theory

a theory of death related anxiety; explores people’s emotional and behavioral responses to reminders of their impending death.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

is a projective test in which individuals are shown ambiguous images (often of people) and asked to create a story about each one. The idea is that people will project their own unconscious thoughts, feelings, and desires onto the images, revealing aspects of their personality and inner conflicts.

Projective Test

is a type of psychological test in which individuals are asked to respond to ambiguous stimuli, such as pictures or words, with the assumption that their responses will reveal hidden emotions, thoughts, and personality traits. The TAT and Rorschach Inkblot Test are examples of projective tests.

Rorschach Inkblot Test

is a projective test in which individuals are shown a series of inkblot images and asked what each one looks like or reminds them of. The idea is that the responses reflect aspects of the person’s inner thoughts, emotions, and personality. The test is often used to explore underlying issues in a person’s psychological state.

Hierarchy of needs

Maslow’s level of human needs, beginninig at the base with physicogical needs. Often visualized as a pyramid, with needs nearer the base taking priority until they are satisfied.

Self Actualization

according to Maslow, one of the ultimate phsiolgoical needs that arises after physical and psycholgoical needa re met and self esteem is achieved; the motivation to fulfill one’s potential.

Self transcendence

according to maslow, the striving for identity, meaning, and purpose beyond self.

Humanistic Theories

Theories that view personality with a focus on the potential for healthy personal growth.

Unconditioned Positive Regard

A nonjudgmental attitude toward an individual, in which they are accepted and valued for who they are, regardless of their behavior or feelings.

Self Concept

all our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in answer to the question, “who am I?”

Trait

a characteristic pattern of behavior or a disposition to feel and act in certain ways, as assessed by self report inventories and peer reports.

Personality Inventory

A questionnaire or survey designed to measure and assess an individual's personality traits, characteristics, or behaviors. It typically consists of a series of statements or questions to which the individual responds, providing insights into aspects such as attitudes, interests, and emotional functioning.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

A widely used personality test designed to assess psychological disorders and personality traits. It consists of a series of true or false questions that measure various aspects of personality and mental health, such as depression, anxiety, and social introversion.

Empirically Derived Test

A psychological test that is developed by gathering data from a large group of people and using statistical methods, such as factor analysis, to identify which items or questions best differentiate between different groups or traits.

Big Five Factors

A model of personality that identifies five broad dimensions of personality traits. These traits are (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism).

Social Cognitive Perspective

A theoretical approach to understanding personality that emphasizes the interaction between individuals, their environment, and their cognitive processes (such as thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes).

Behavioral Approach

focuses on the effects of learning on our personality development.

Reciprocal Determinism

the interacting influences of behavior, internal cognition, and environment.

Self

in modern psychology, assumed to be the center of personality, the organizer of our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Spotlight Effect

The tendency for people to overestimate how much others are paying attention to them. It refers to the belief that one’s appearance, behavior, or mistakes are more noticeable to others than they actually are.

Self Esteem

our feelings of high or low self worth.

Self efficacy

our sense of competence and effectiveness.

Self Serving Bias

a readiness to perceive ourselves favorably.

Narcissism

excessive self love and self absorption.

Individualism

a cultural pattern that emphasizes people’s own goals over group goals and defines identity mainly in terms of unique personal attributes.

Collectivism

a cultural pattern that prioritizes the goals of important groups (often one’s extended family or work group).