Personality - Essentials of Psych ch 11

unit 7

What is personality?

Individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

What does the Psychodynamic Perspective suggest about personality and behavior?

They are shaped by unconscious forces and conflicts.

What are the three levels of consciousness according to the Psychodynamic Perspective?

1. Conscious: present awareness 2. Preconscious: retrievable information 3. Unconscious: primitive impulses and troubling experiences.

What is the Id in Freud's theory of personality?

The Id is present at birth and operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification.

What is the Ego in Freud's theory of personality?

The Ego balances the desires of the Id with social realities and expectations, operating on the reality principle.

What is the Superego in Freud's theory of personality?

The Superego is the internal moral guardian or conscience that develops through moral teachings from parents.

What are Freud's Psychosexual Stages of Development?

Stages include Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, and Genital, each associated with specific erogenous zones and conflicts.

What is fixation in the context of Freud's Psychosexual Stages?

Fixation occurs when a child receives too much or too little gratification during a stage, potentially leading to adult issues.

What is the Oedipus Complex?

A theory that suggests young boys have an unconscious desire for their mother and jealousy towards their father.

What are defense mechanisms according to Freud?

Strategies used by the ego to prevent anxiety from troubling desires or memories entering conscious awareness.

What is repression in the context of defense mechanisms?

Motivated forgetting that involves pushing painful thoughts into the unconscious.

What is denial as a defense mechanism?

Refusing to recognize a desire or threatening impulse, such as denying a rejection.

What is regression as a defense mechanism?

Returning to behaviors characteristic of an earlier stage of development when faced with stress.

What is displacement as a defense mechanism?

Redirecting emotions from a threatening target to a safer one.

What is projection as a defense mechanism?

Attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else.

What is rationalization as a defense mechanism?

Creating logical reasons for behaviors that are actually motivated by irrational impulses.

What is the reality principle in Freud's theory?

The principle that the Ego operates on, focusing on what is practical and acceptable.

What is the pleasure principle in Freud's theory?

The principle that the Id operates on, seeking immediate satisfaction of desires.

What is regression in the context of defense mechanisms?

Regression involves retreating to behaviors typical of a child, such as throwing a tantrum or sucking one's thumb when faced with stress.

What does displacement refer to in psychological terms?

Displacement is the transfer of unacceptable impulses to a more acceptable target, such as slamming a door when angry at a parent.

How does projection function as a defense mechanism?

Projection involves imposing one's own wishes or impulses onto someone else, such as wanting to break up with a partner and accusing them of wanting to break up.

What is reaction formation?

Reaction formation is acting in a way that is opposite to one's desires to keep them repressed, like pretending to dislike country music when one actually enjoys it.

Define sublimation as a defense mechanism.

Sublimation is channeling unacceptable impulses into socially constructive activities, such as playing ice hockey to deal with aggressive feelings.

What is rationalization in psychological terms?

Rationalization involves using logical explanations to justify unacceptable behavior.

What does intellectualization mean in the context of defense mechanisms?

Intellectualization is blocking emotions and responding in a detached, robotic manner.

What is the personal unconscious according to Carl Jung?

The personal unconscious contains repressed memories and impulses unique to an individual.

Define the collective unconscious as described by Carl Jung.

The collective unconscious consists of ideas and images shared among all humans, passed down through genetics, such as archetypes like the nurturing mother or all-powerful god.

What is the significance of the creative self in Alfred Adler's individual psychology?

The creative self is the self-aware part of personality that organizes goal-seeking behavior.

What does the inferiority complex refer to in Adler's theory?

The inferiority complex describes feelings of inferiority that all children possess, which can shape their personality through compensation.

How did Karen Horney critique Freud's theories?

Karen Horney accepted that unconscious conflicts shape personality but emphasized social and cultural forces over sexual drives.

What is basic anxiety according to Horney?

Basic anxiety is the anxiety children feel due to isolation and helplessness in a hostile world, often caused by harsh or uncaring parents.

Define basic hostility as per Horney's theories.

Basic hostility refers to the deep feelings of resentment that children may harbor towards their parents.

What are projective tests in psychology?

Projective tests involve presenting individuals with unstructured or ambiguous stimuli to interpret, revealing their unconscious needs and motives.

What is the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)?

The TAT involves interpreting pictures of ambiguous scenes to explain the scene and its outcome, revealing aspects of personality.

How does the Rorschach Inkblot Test work?

The Rorschach test involves individuals projecting their personality onto inkblots, where their interpretations can indicate how they relate to others.

What are some critiques of Freud's theories?

Critiques include the lack of scientific basis, failure to consider environmental and cultural influences, and excessive focus on aggressive and sexual drives.

What is the main focus of analytical psychology?

Analytical psychology, developed by Carl Jung, emphasizes the influence of unconscious conflicts on behavior and the role of defense mechanisms.

What is the role of defense mechanisms according to psychodynamic theory?

Defense mechanisms distort or cover up underlying motives and conflicts within an individual.

What is the significance of the APA TOPPS activity mentioned in the notes?

The APA TOPPS activity illustrates the application of psychological concepts, such as coping with failure despite dedication and respect for authority.

What does the term 'Creative Self' signify in Adler's theory?

The Creative Self signifies the self-aware aspect of personality that actively organizes and directs goal-seeking behavior.

What is the purpose of the Rorschach Test?

To test a subject's perceptions and mental health using ten inkblots.

Who detailed how the Rorschach Test can help us understand perceptions?

Damion Searls.

What are the three types of traits identified in Gordon Allport's trait perspective?

Cardinal traits, central traits, and secondary traits.

What are cardinal traits?

The most influential and important characteristics that dominate an individual's entire life.

Can you give an example of a cardinal trait?

Honesty, as exemplified by Abraham Lincoln.

What are central traits?

Basic building blocks of personality that influence behavior, such as arrogance or kindness.

How many central traits does an individual typically have?

5-10 central traits.

What are secondary traits?

Situational traits that reflect attitudes or preferences, like music taste or clothing style.

Who is a major trait theorist associated with personality traits?

Raymond Cattell.

What are surface traits according to Cattell?

Characteristics that can be observed, such as friendliness or carelessness.

What are source traits?

Traits at a deep level of personality that are not observable and are inferred through surface trait relationships.

What is Cattell's 16PF?

A model that identifies 16 personality factors.

Name one of Cattell's 16 personality factors related to emotional stability.

Emotional Stability: Calm versus high-strung.

What does the personality factor 'Openness to Change' describe?

Flexibility versus attachment to the familiar.

What is the personality factor 'Self-Reliance'?

Self-sufficient versus dependent.

What does 'Sensitivity' refer to in Cattell's personality factors?

Tender-hearted versus tough-minded.

What does the personality factor 'Perfectionism' indicate?

Controlled versus undisciplined behavior.

How does 'Dominance' manifest in personality traits?

As forceful versus submissive behavior.

What is the significance of the Rorschach Test in psychology?

It provides insights into the workings of a person's mind through their perceptions of inkblots.

What is the relationship between traits and experience according to Allport?

Traits are inherited but influenced by experience.

What is the difference between surface traits and source traits?

Surface traits are observable characteristics, while source traits are deeper and inferred.

What does 'Rule-Consciousness' refer to in Cattell's 16PF?

The tendency to conform versus non-conform.

What are the two extremes of Social Boldness?

Uninhibited versus shy.

What are the two extremes of Tension?

Impatient versus relaxed.

What are the two extremes of Vigilance?

Suspicious versus trusting.

What are the two extremes of Warmth?

Outgoing versus reserved.

Who is a major trait theorist known for the Introversion-Extraversion model?

Hans Eysenck.

What characterizes an Introverted personality according to Eysenck?

Solitary, reserved, unsociable.

What characterizes an Extraverted personality according to Eysenck?

Outgoing, talkative, friendly.

What does high Emotional Stability indicate in Eysenck's model?

Tense, anxious, worrisome (neurotic).

What does low Emotional Stability indicate in Eysenck's model?

Relaxed, calm, stable.

What is Psychoticism in Eysenck's model?

A trait indicating antisocial, hostile, insensitive behavior.

What does high Psychoticism indicate?

Antisocial, hostile, insensitive.

What does low Psychoticism indicate?

Warm, sensitive, and concerned for others.

What are the Big Five personality traits represented by the acronym OCEAN?

Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism.

What does Openness in the Big Five refer to?

Imaginative, curious, intellectual, open to non-traditional values.

What does Conscientiousness in the Big Five refer to?

Reliable, responsible, self-disciplined, ethical, hardworking.

What does Extraversion in the Big Five refer to?

Outgoing, friendly, fun-loving.

What does Agreeableness in the Big Five refer to?

Sensitive, warm, tolerant, easy to get along with.

What does Neuroticism in the Big Five refer to?

Prone to anxiety, worry, guilt, emotional instability.

What percentage of variability in personality traits is attributed to genetics?

40%.

What percentage of variability in personality traits is attributed to the environment?

60%.

What is the purpose of Self-Report Inventories in personality assessment?

To measure single or multiple dimensions of personality based on individuals' responses.

What is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2)?

A self-report inventory used to assess various psychological conditions.

What is a critique of personality trait theories?

They do not account for behavioral differences in situations.

What is the Social-Cognitive Perspective in personality psychology?

It emphasizes the roles of cognitive and environmental factors in determining behavior.

What is Reciprocal Determinism according to Albert Bandura?

The mutual influence of cognitions, behaviors, and environmental factors.

What are Outcome Expectancies in Bandura's theory?

Predictions of the outcomes of behavior that determine how we will behave.

What are Efficacy Expectations in Bandura's theory?

Predictions about one's ability to perform tasks.

Who proposed the concept of understanding behavior through reinforcement history and expectations?

Julian Rotter.

What are Expectancies in Rotter's theory?

Personal predictions of the outcomes of one's behavior.

What is Subjective Value in psychology?

The worth placed on desired outcomes.

How does a dedicated athlete view winning?

They place a high value on winning and are more likely to practice.

What are the two types of Locus of Control according to Julian Rotter?

Internal (belief in achieving through work and effort) and External (belief that outcomes are controlled by outside forces).

What does a strong internal locus of control imply about an individual's beliefs?

They believe that hard work and persistence can lead to achieving any goal.

What is the significance of Walter Mischel's work in psychology?

He emphasized that behaviors are influenced by situational variables, environmental factors, and person variables.

What are Situational Variables in the context of behavior prediction?

Factors such as punishment and rewards that influence behavior.

What are Person Variables that influence behavior?

Expectations, values, knowledge/skills, perceptions of events, and ability to plan.

List the five Person Variables that influence behavior according to Walter Mischel.

1. Competencies 2. Encoding Strategies 3. Expectancies 4. Subjective Values 5. Self-regulatory Systems.

What is the Humanistic Perspective in psychology?

It emphasizes conscious choice and personal freedom, rejecting the idea that humans are merely puppets.