Theories of Personality

Flashcards summarizing key concepts from the lecture on theories of personality.

Theory

A set of assumptions used to generate research to prove a fact.

Personality

A pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Focuses on the influence of the unconscious and conscious mind on behavior.

Humanistic Perspective

Emphasizes the importance of individuals serving their purpose.

Dispositional Perspective

Suggests that behavior is shaped by individual traits.

Biological Perspective

Explores the influence of brain composition on personality.

Social-Cognitive Perspective

Emphasizes that behavior is learned through the environment.

Character

Refers to personality traits that can change through reinforcement.

Determinism

The idea that all behaviors are predetermined by external factors.

Free Choice

The ability of individuals to make choices independently.

Abnormal Behavior

Behaviors that deviate from cultural norms and may cause dysfunction, distress, or danger.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Focuses on unconscious desires and the influence of early experiences on personality.

Psychosexual Stages of Development

A series of stages (Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital) that shape personality.

Iceberg Theory

A metaphor for the mind's structure: conscious, preconscious, and unconscious.

Defense Mechanisms

Psychological strategies used to cope with anxiety.

Alfred Adler

Founder of Individual Psychology, emphasizing social interest and overcoming inferiority.

Carl Jung

Developed Analytical Psychology, highlighting the collective unconscious and archetypes.

Individuation

The process of integrating different aspects of the self towards psychological wholeness.

Archetypes

Innate tendencies to form images or concepts shared among all humans.

Synchronicity

The concept that events are meaningfully related, despite being separate in cause.