Social and Personality

AP Psych

Free Association

Definition: the mental process by which one word or image may spontaneously suggest another without any apparent connection

Characteristics/Facts:

• no cencorship

• unconscious process

• repressed memories

Examples: sharing the first word that comes to mind when thinking of a situation or person or sharing thoughts without censorship

Non-examples: structured or guided responses that require logical reasoning.

Psychodynamic theory

Definition: A psychological approach that emphasizes the role of unconscious mental processes, early childhood experiences, and interpersonal relationships in shaping human behavior and personality

Characteristics/Facts:

• unconscious mind

• Early childhood experiences

• internal conflicts and drives

Examples: defense mechanisms like repression and projection

Non-examples: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and behavioral therapy

Unconscious

Definition: mental processes and contents outside of conscious awareness, influencing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, often stemming from repressed or forgotten experiences.

Characteristics/Facts:

Consists of:

• human thoughts

• feelings

• memories

Examples: a “freudian slip”- a verbal error revealing hidden thoughts

Non-examples: purposely acting on something through words or events

Unconditional positive regard

Definition: Accepting and valueing someone, regardless of their actions or thoughts without judgement or conditions,

Characteristics/Facts:

• Core concept

• person-centered therapy

Examples: Being friends with someone despite the fact they collect teeth, or liking someone despite not having the same music taste

Non-examples: Discontinuing a friendship because you found out that they root for the Patriots

Extraversion

Definition: Tendency to focus on gratification obtained from outside ones self

Characteristics/Facts:

• outgoingness

• socialbility

• Gains energy from social interactions

Examples: Someone who enjoys being the center of attention or someone who likes to start new conversations with new people

Non-examples: An individual who likes to keep to themself or who doesn't like to meet new people

Humanistic Psychology

Definition: emphasizes the individual’s unique, subjective experiences and capacity for growth, focusing on concepts like free will, self-actualization, and the inherent goodness fo humans

Characteristics/Facts:

• free will

• self-efficacy

• self-actualization

Examples: client-centered therapy and existential therapy

Non-examples: approaches that focus on deterministic factors, pathology, or reductionist views of human nature

Social Norm

Definition: Unwritten, shared expectations and rules about how people should behave in specific situations

Characteristics/Facts:

• universal

• cultural

• internalizedd

Examples: tipping in Aamerica and chewing with your mouth closed

Non-examples: laws and rules

Discrimination

Definition: negative or unfair treatment of an individual or group based on theor

Characteristics/Facts:

• race

• gender

• age

• sexual orientation

Examples: Being treated unfairly due to gender or race, like not getting into college or not getting a job for one of those reasons

Non-examples: getting a job due to your credentials disagreements about the quality of work or educational performance