Unit 4. Social Psychology and Personality - Pt 3: Theories of Personality

Psychodynamic theory

A personality theory that says unconscious thoughts and conflicts drive behavior.

Unconscious processes

Mental activities we're unaware of that influence thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Ego defense mechanisms

Unconscious strategies used by the ego to protect itself from anxiety.

(1) denial, (2) displacement, (3) projection, (4) rationalization, (5) reaction formation, (6) regression, (7) repression, (8) sublimation

Ego defense mechanisms (8)

Denial

Refusing to accept or acknowledge reality (e.g., ignoring a serious illness).

Displacement

Redirecting feelings toward a safer target (e.g., yelling at a sibling instead of a boss).

Projection

Attributing your own thoughts or feelings to someone else.

Rationalization

Making excuses to justify unacceptable behavior.

Reaction formation

Acting in a way that is opposite to your actual feelings.

Regression

Reverting to immature behavior in response to stress (e.g., tantrums).

Repression

Pushing painful memories or thoughts into the unconscious.

Sublimation

Redirecting unacceptable urges into productive or acceptable behaviors.

Projective tests

Tests used to reveal unconscious thoughts, such as the Rorschach Inkblot Test or TAT.

Humanistic theory

A personality theory that emphasizes personal growth and human potential.

Unconditional positive regard

Accepting and valuing someone without conditions or judgment.

Self-actualizing tendency

A natural drive to grow and become the best version of oneself.

Social-cognitive theory

A personality theory that emphasizes learning, thinking, and interaction with the environment.

Reciprocal determinism

The idea that personality is shaped by interactions between behavior, personal factors, and environment.

Self-concept

How someone thinks about, understands, and evaluates themselves.

Self-efficacy

A person’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations.

Self-esteem

A person’s overall sense of self-worth or personal value.

Trait theory

A theory that focuses on identifying and measuring consistent personality characteristics.

Big Five personality traits (OCEAN)

The five major traits that describe personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism.

Openness to experience

Being curious, imaginative, and open to new ideas.

Conscientiousness

Being organized, responsible, and hardworking.

Extraversion

Being outgoing, energetic, and sociable.

Agreeableness

Being kind, cooperative, and trusting.

Neuroticism

Tendency to be anxious, moody, or emotionally unstable.

Personality inventories

Questionnaires used to assess traits by having people respond to various statements.

Factor analysis

A statistical method used to identify clusters of related traits or behaviors.