Personality Psychology 1, 2, 3

Personality

It is the constant and relatively stable patterns of thoughts and feelings that characterize the individual.

Hunger, Arousal or Temporary mood

Fleeting feelings

What does openness describe in the Big Five

creativity, curiosity and openness to new experiences

What does consciousness describe in the Big Five

organization, responsibility and dependability

What does extraversion describe in the Big Five

sociability, assertiveness, and enthusiasm

What does agreeableness describe in the Big Five

kindness, empathy and cooperation

What does neuroticism describe in the Big Five

emotional instability, anxiety and moodiness

Psychoanalytic Theory

Unconscious thoughts, early childhood experiences, and instinctual drives shape personality and behavior, with the mind comprising the id (instincts), ego (reality), and superego (morality).

Difference Between Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic Theories

Psychodynamics is an "umbrella term" that includes Freud’s work plus the theories of his followers (Neo-Freudians) like Jung, Adler, and Erikson.

Unconscious

Deep-seated drives and repressed memories that you cannot easily access. 

Preconscious

Memories that aren't currently active but can be recalled with ease (e.g., your middle name).

Conscious

Current awareness and thoughts.

Instincts

Driving force of personality; they are rooted in the unconscious and manage our behavior.

Two Types of Instincs

Life (Eros) & Death (Theanatos)

Life Instinct (Eros)

Drives related to survival, reproduction, and pleasure.

Death Instincts (Thanatos)

Drives related to aggression, destruction, and self-sabotage.

ID

Entirely unconscious; source of basic drives and desires (wants). Seeks immediate gratification. WANTS

EGO

Mostly conscious; rational self that negotiates between the id and superego. NAGOTIATES

SuperEgo

Partly conscious, partly unconscious; internalized societal rules and morals (should). Enforces ethical conduct. SHOULD

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies the ego uses to protect itself from anxiety and conflict.

Displacement

Redirecting impulses to a safer target.

You’re mad at your boss, so you go home and yell at your roommate (targeting someone "safer").

Projection

Attributing one’s own unacceptable desires to others.

You are cheating on your partner, but you constantly accuse them of being unfaithful (placing your faults on others).

Reaction Formulation

Adopting beliefs opposite to one’s true feelings.

You actually dislike someone, so you act excessively "fake" nice to them to hide your true feelings

Sublimation

Channeling unacceptable impulses into acceptable activities.

You have aggressive urges, so you join a boxing gym (turning "bad" energy into a socially acceptable activity).

Oral

Age Range: Birth- 1 year
Erogenous Zone: Mouth
Conflict/Focus: Weaning, ծծել
Resolved Outcome։ Trust, Maturity
Unresolved Outcome: Oral Fixation (smoking, overeating)

Anal

Age Range: 1-3 years
Erogenous Zone: Anus
Conflict/Focus: Toilet Training
Resolved Outcome: Order, Control
Unresolved Outcome: Anal-retentive (perfectionist) or anal-expulsive (messy, disorganized)

Phallic

Age Range: 3-6 years
Erogenous Zone: genitals
Conflict/Focus: Oedipus/Electra Complex
Resolved Outcome: Identity with the same-sex parent, healthy sexuality
Unresolved Outcome: Sexual/gender confusion, authority issues

Latency

Age Range: 6-puberty
Erogenous Zone: none
Conflict/Focus: Social Skills
Resolved Outcome: Social Confidence
Unresolved Outcome: Social Withdrawal

Genital

Age Range: Puberty to Adulthood
Erogenous Zone: Genitals
Conflict/Focus: Maturity, Sexuality
Resolved Outcome: Healthy Relationships
Unresolved Outcome: Difficulty with intimacy

Ego Psychology

Supports the integration of biological and psychosocial forces; focuses on the interpersonal, cultural, and historical context of personality.

Epigenetic Principle

The concept that development occurs in a series of universal stages for all people.

Lifespan Development

Erikson’s argument that development continues throughout a person's entire lifetime, not just childhood.

Psychosocial Crisis

A challenge faced at each stage that must be resolved to develop a healthy personality.

Basic Virtues

Characteristic strengths acquired through the successful resolution of a psychosocial crisis.

Stage 1

Oral-Sensory (Birth–1)

Stage 2

Muscular-Anal (2–3)

Stage 3

Locomotor-Genital (4–5)

Stage 4

Latency (6–12)

Stage 5

Adolescence (13–19)

Stage 6

Young Adulthood (20–24)

Stage 7

Middle Adulthood (25–64)

Stage 8

Late Adulthood (65–Death)

Oral-Sensory

(Birth–1) Trust vs. Mistrust. Virtue: Hope. Resolved: Consistent care leads to trust. Unresolved: Neglect leads to suspicion.

Muscular-Anal

(2–3) Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt. Virtue: Will. Resolved: Support for independence fosters confidence. Unresolved: Overprotection leads to shame.

Locomotor-Genital

(4–5) Initiative vs. Guilt. Virtue: Purpose. Resolved: Support for play and questions leads to security. Unresolved: Restricted behavior leads to guilt.

Latency

(6–12) Industry vs. Inferiority. Virtue: Competence. Resolved: Encouragement in skills leads to industry. Unresolved: Negative feedback leads to inferiority.

Adolescence

(13–19) Identity vs. Role Confusion. Virtue: Fidelity. Resolved: Exploration of roles leads to a strong sense of self. Unresolved: Restrictions lead to a weak identity.

Young Adulthood

(20–24) Intimacy vs. Isolation. Virtue: Love. Resolved: Successful relationships lead to safety and care. Unresolved: Fear of commitment leads to isolation.

Middle Adulthood

(25–64) Generativity vs. Stagnation. Virtue: Care. Resolved: Contributing to society through work or parenting leads to usefulness. Unresolved: Feeling unproductive or disconnected.

Late Adulthood

(65–Death) Ego Integrity vs. Despair. Virtue: Wisdom. Resolved: Acceptance of life leads to closure. Unresolved: Dissatisfaction leads to hopelessness and fear of death.