Psychology of Personality, Development, and Motivation: Key Concepts and Theories

What is personality in psychology?

Personality is broadly defined as the enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that characterise an individual.

What do individual differences refer to?

Individual differences refer to the unique variations between people in traits, abilities, and dispositions.

Why are personality and individual differences important in psychology?

They account for both the consistency and variability observed in human behaviour and underpin research across various psychology fields.

What does the trait approach to personality focus on?

The trait approach focuses on identifying stable characteristics, such as the Big Five model: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

Who pioneered the psychodynamic approach to personality?

The psychodynamic approach was pioneered by Sigmund Freud.

What are the components of Freud's psychodynamic theory?

The components are the id, ego, and superego, which interact to influence behaviour.

What does the humanistic approach to personality emphasize?

The humanistic approach emphasizes personal growth and self-actualisation, focusing on free will and conscious choice.

What is the social-cognitive approach to personality?

The social-cognitive approach suggests that personality emerges from social learning, observation, and the interaction between personal factors, behaviour, and environmental influences.

What are narrow personality traits?

Narrow personality traits are specific subcomponents of broader dimensions that provide a more detailed understanding of behaviour.

What is the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised used for?

It is a self-report questionnaire used to assess personality traits.

What are projective tests in personality assessment?

Projective tests, such as the Rorschach Inkblot Test, aim to uncover unconscious motives.

What is neuroticism associated with in terms of health?

Neuroticism is associated with higher vulnerability to stress, anxiety, and depression.

How is conscientiousness related to health?

Conscientiousness is linked to healthier lifestyles and increased longevity.

What are personality disorders?

Personality disorders involve enduring patterns of cognition, affect, and behaviour that deviate markedly from cultural norms.

What characterizes Cluster A personality disorders?

Cluster A disorders are characterised by odd or eccentric behaviours.

What are the three types of Cluster B personality disorders?

Cluster B disorders include borderline, antisocial, histrionic, and narcissistic personalities.

What characterizes Cluster C personality disorders?

Cluster C disorders are typified by anxious and fearful behaviours.

What is the relationship between mood and personality?

Mood is closely linked to personality, with positive moods associated with creativity and negative moods contributing to stress.

What are the two types of intelligence mentioned?

Fluid intelligence (problem-solving in unfamiliar situations) and crystallised intelligence (accumulated knowledge and experience).

What is motivation in psychology?

Motivation is defined as the internal processes that initiate, guide, and sustain goal-directed behaviour.

What does Maslow's hierarchy of needs propose?

It proposes that human behaviour is driven by a progression from basic physiological requirements to self-actualisation.

What is the focus of Self-Determination Theory?

Self-Determination Theory differentiates between intrinsic motivation (from personal satisfaction) and extrinsic motivation (driven by external rewards).

What does developmental psychology study?

Developmental psychology studies how individuals change across the lifespan in physical, cognitive, emotional, and social domains.

What are prelinguistic skills?

Prelinguistic skills include cooing, babbling, and gesturing, which provide the foundation for later language acquisition.

What is theory of mind?

Theory of mind is the ability to attribute beliefs, intentions, and emotions to oneself and others.

What role does play have in development?

Play is critical for cognitive, social, and emotional development, allowing children to practice problem-solving and cooperation.

What are the stages of moral reasoning according to Kohlberg?

The stages are preconventional, conventional, and postconventional, progressing from punishment/reward to universal ethical principles.

How do personality traits influence health?

Personality traits influence coping strategies, adherence to medical advice, and engagement in health-promoting behaviours.