Personality-Psychology

Unit 5 of the Textbook, Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic Theories, Humanistic Theories, Trait Theories, Social Cognitive Theories, Exploring Self

Psychodynamic Theories

theories that view personality with a focus on the unconscious and the importance of childhood experiences

Psychoanalysis

Freud’s theory of personality that attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts

Free Association

a method of exploring the unconscious where the patient says whatever they want

Id

unconscious psychic energy that operates on the pleasure principle

Ego

the conscious part that operates on the reality principle, mediating between the superego and the id

Superego

the conscious part that focuses on how we ought to behave

Identification

children incorporate their parents values into their superegos

Defense Mechanism

the ego’s protective methods for reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality

Repression

the basic defense mechanism that banishes anxiety inducing thoughts from consciousness

Humanistic Theories

theories that view personality with a focus on the potential for personal growth

Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s pyramid of human needs, starting with physiological needs then psychological needs

Self-actualization

the motivation to fulfill one’s potential

Self-transcendence

the striving for identity, meaning, and purpose beyond the self

Unconditional Positive Regard

a caring, accepting, non-judgmental attitude towards patients

Self-concept

all our thoughts and feelings in the answer to the question “Who am I?”

Traits

a characteristic pattern of behavior to feel/act in certain ways

Social-Cognitive Perspective

views behavior as influenced by the interaction between people’s traits and their social context

Behavioral Approach

focuses on the effects of learning on our personality development

Reciprocal Determinism

the interacting influences of behavior, internal cognition, and environment

Self-efficacy

our feelings of competence and effectiveness