Personality Psychology Study Guide

A series of flashcards covering essential concepts in personality psychology.

Humors

Four bodily fluids in ancient medicine believed to influence personality.

Phrenology

The study of the shape and size of the skull as a supposed indication of character and mental abilities.

Immanuel Kant

Philosopher who contributed to the understanding of human nature and personality.

Wilhelm Wundt

Considered the father of experimental psychology, emphasizing the study of consciousness.

Sigmund Freud

Psychoanalyst who believed that unconscious drives significantly influence personality.

Freudian Slip

An unintentional error that reveals subconscious thoughts or feelings.

Id, Ego, Superego

The three parts of Freud's model of the psyche that interact to shape personality.

Neo-Freudians

Psychologists who expanded upon Freudian theory but focused more on social and cultural factors.

Defense Mechanisms

Psychological strategies used by the ego to protect itself from anxiety arising from unacceptable thoughts.

Alfred Adler

Proposed that feelings of inferiority are central to personality development and that social factors are crucial.

Social Tasks of Happiness

Three fundamental tasks proposed by Adler: work, friendship, and love.

Erik Erikson

Psychologist who believed social relationships significantly impact personality development through his psychosocial stages.

Carl Jung

Psychoanalyst known for his concepts of collective unconscious and archetypes.

Collective Unconscious

Jung's concept of shared memories and archetypes present in human experience.

Archetypes

Universal symbols that shape human experience, as proposed by Jung.

Persona

The social face or mask an individual presents to the world.

Introversion vs. Extroversion

Jung’s distinction between focusing on the inner self versus the outer world.

Karen Horney

Proposed that coping strategies in childhood shape adult personality.

B.F. Skinner

Psychologist who believed behavior and environment shape personality.

Albert Bandura

Psychologist known for his social-cognitive theory of personality.

Reciprocal Determinism

Bandura's concept that personal factors, behavior, and the environment interact to shape personality.

Observational Learning

Learning through observing others, a key aspect of Bandura's theory.

Self-efficacy

Belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations, influencing personality behavior.

Locus of Control

The degree to which individuals believe they can control events affecting them.

Marshmallow Study

A study on delayed gratification and self-control in children.

Person-Situation Debate

Discussion on whether personality traits or situational factors are more influential in behavior.

Humanistic Approach

Psychological perspective that emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization.

Carl Rogers

Proposed that the ideal self and real self should ideally align for psychological health.

Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart

Research revealing significant heritability of certain personality traits.

Somatotypes Theory

Theory proposing that body type influences personality.

Trait Theorists

Psychologists who believe that individual traits are central to personality.

Cardinal Traits

Dominant characteristics that influence most of a person's behavior.

Central Traits

General characteristics that form the foundation of personality.

Secondary Traits

Traits that are less consistent and may only appear in certain situations.

Eysenck’s Model

Theory categorizing personality based on dimensions of extroversion/introversion and neuroticism/stability.

Five Factor Model

Personality model identifying five key traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism.

Culture and Personality

Cultural context influences the expression and understanding of personality.

Individualist vs. Collectivist Cultures

Individualist cultures prioritize personal goals, while collectivist cultures emphasize group goals.