AP Psych Unit 10 personality

Psychodynamic Theory

Personality is shaped by unconscious forces, internal conflicts, and defense mechanisms

Preconscious Mind

contains thoughts and feelings that are not currently in conscious awareness but can be easily accessed when needed

Unconscious Mind

consists of processes and memories that are beyond conscious awareness and significantly influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

Projective Tests

tools used by psychodynamic personality psychologists

to assesses personality by eliciting responses that reveal the contents of the preconscious and unconsious

Rorschach Inkblot Test (Hermann Rorschach)

The most widely used projective test, a set of 10 inkblots, During the test, participants are shown the inkblots and asked what each one looks like

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

Projective test in which people express their inner feelings and interests through the stories they make up about ambiguous scene

Ego Defense Mechanisms

unconscious strategies used by the ego to protect itself from anxiety and perceived threats

Denial

an individual unconsciously refuses to acknowledge reality or facts, thereby protecting themselves from uncomfortable truths

Displacement

emotional impulses are redirected from the original source to a safer or more acceptable substitute target

Projection

individuals attribute their own unacceptable feelings, thoughts, or motives to someone else, thus deflecting self-criticism

Rationalization

individuals justify and explain their behaviors or feelings in a seemingly rational or logical manner to avoid confronting the true underlying reasons

Regression

an individual reverts to earlier stages of development and childlike behaviors when faced with stress or emotional conflict

Reaction Formation

individuals suppress unacceptable impulses by unconsciously displaying the opposite behavior or emotion

Repression

distressing thoughts and feelings are unconsciously blocked from entering conscious awareness

Sublimation

negative urges and impulses are channeled into socially acceptable or constructive activities

Humanistic Psychology

emphasizes the study of the whole person and the uniqueness of each individual; focusing on self-growth and unconditional positive regard as essential for achieving personal potential

Unconditional Regard

an individual is accepted and loved as they are, without any conditions or judgments, fostering personal growth and self-acceptance

Self-Actualizing Tendency

the innate drive in every individual to grow, develop, and realize their fullest potential

Social-Cognitive Theory

emphasizes the influence of cognitive processes, behaviors, and context in understanding personality and human actions

Reciprocal Determinism

concept in social-cognitive theory proposing that an individual's behavior, personal factors (like thoughts and emotions), and environment influence each other interactively

Self-Concept

An individual's perception of themselves, encompassing self-awareness and the evaluation of their role in relation to others

Self-Efficacy

belief in one's own ability to succeed in specific situations, which plays a crucial role in how goals, tasks, and challenges are approached

Self-Esteem

A person's overall subjective emotional evaluation of their own worth; it is a judgment of oneself as well as an attitude toward the self

Trait Theories

suggest that personality is made up of stable characteristics, called traits, that consistently influence how a person thinks and behaves

Big Five Theory

identifies five broad dimensions of personality—Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism—that describe the main traits of human personality

Personality Inventories

standardized tools used to assess and measure individual personality traits and characteristics through self-report questionnaires

Factor Analysis

a statistical method used to identify clusters of related items (factors) in a set of data

Openness to Experience

encompasses a person's imagination, curiosity, and willingness to engage with new ideas, experiences, and creative pursuits

Conscientiousness

marked by organization, dependability, discipline, and a goal-directed approach to life

Extraversion

characterized by high levels of sociability, energy, assertiveness, and a strong preference for social interaction and stimulation

Agreeableness

characterized by warmth, kindness, empathy, and a cooperative and trusting nature

Emotional Stability (Neuroticism)

refers to the trait of having consistent emotional reactions, resilience, and the ability to remain calm and composed under stress