Unit 1

A set of vocabulary flashcards derived from a study guide on personality theories and related concepts.

Psychoanalytic Theory

A theory of personality developed by Sigmund Freud that focuses on the role of unconscious processes, childhood experiences, and defense mechanisms.

Sigmund Freud

A neurologist and the founding figure of psychoanalysis, known for his theories on the unconscious mind, personality structures, and defense mechanisms.

Ego

The component of personality that mediates between the desires of the id and the moral constraints of the superego.

Superego

The part of personality that represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgment.

Id

The primitive and instinctual part of personality that contains sexual and aggressive drives and hidden memories.

Free Association

A psychoanalytic technique in which a patient speaks freely to reveal the unconscious thoughts and feelings.

Defense Mechanisms

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

Psychodynamic Theory

A perspective that views personality as shaped by dynamics of the unconscious mind, influenced by the work of Freud and later theorists.

Carl Jung

A Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology and introduced concepts like the collective unconscious.

Collective Unconscious

A part of Jung's theory that holds universal memories and experiences shared among all humans.

Alfred Adler

An Austrian psychiatrist who founded individual psychology and introduced the concept of the inferiority complex.

Inferiority Complex

A psychological condition stemming from feelings of inferiority, often leading to compensatory behaviors.

Rorschach Test

A projective psychological test consisting of inkblots used to assess personality and emotional functioning.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A projective test that involves telling a story based on pictures to reveal underlying motives and themes.

Humanistic Theory

A psychological perspective that emphasizes the study of the whole person and stresses concepts like self-actualization.

Abraham Maslow

An American psychologist best known for creating Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the concept of self-actualization.

Self-Actualization

The realization or fulfillment of one's talents and potential, considered as a drive or need in Maslow's hierarchy.

Carl Rogers

An American psychologist known for developing client-centered therapy and emphasizing unconditional positive regard.

Unconditional Positive Regard

An attitude of total acceptance toward another person, a key concept in Rogers' humanistic approach.

Trait Theory

A theory of personality that focuses on identifying and measuring individual personality characteristics.

Big Five Personality Traits

A model describing five key dimensions of personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

Social-Cognitive Theory

A theory that emphasizes the importance of observational learning, imitation, and modeling in personality development.

Albert Bandura

A psychologist known for his work in social learning theory and the concept of self-efficacy.

Reciprocal Determinism

Bandura's concept that personal, behavioral, and environmental factors interact to influence behavior.

Self-Efficacy

An individual's belief in their own ability to succeed in specific situations.

Self-Serving Bias

The tendency to attribute positive outcomes to oneself and negative outcomes to external factors.

Self-Esteem

An individual's overall subjective emotional evaluation of their own worth.

Spotlight Effect

The belief that others are paying more attention to our appearance and behavior than they really are.

Individualistic Culture

A culture that emphasizes individual goals and personal achievements over group goals and social conformity.

Collectivist Culture

A culture that emphasizes group goals, interpersonal relationships, and community over individual desires.

Positive Psychology

A branch of psychology that focuses on factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive.

Post-Traumatic Growth

A phenomenon where individuals experience positive change following a traumatic event or life crisis.

Spiritual Development

Growth or progress in an individual's spiritual beliefs, often leading to a deeper understanding of meaning in life.