Psychology Unit 4B

Psychodynamic view of personality

Theory that behavior is driven by unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences

Role of the unconscious

Thoughts and desires outside awareness that influence behavior

Denial

Refusing to accept reality

Displacement

Shifting emotions to a safer target

Projection

Attributing your feelings to others

Rationalization

Justifying behavior with logical excuses

Reaction formation

Acting opposite of true feelings

Regression

Reverting to childlike behavior

Repression

Pushing distressing thoughts out of awareness

Sublimation

Channeling impulses into acceptable activities

Projective tests

Personality tests using ambiguous stimuli to reveal unconscious thoughts

Humanistic psychology

Focus on growth, potential, and free will

Unconditional positive regard (UPR)

Accepting someone without conditions

Self Actualization

Drive to reach full potential

Social cognitive view

Personality shaped by interaction of behavior, thoughts, and environment

Reciprocal determinism

Behavior, environment, and cognition influence each other

Self-efficacy

Belief in ability to succeed

Self-concept

Overall view of oneself

Self-esteem

Sense of self-worth

Trait view of personality

Personality based on stable characteristics

Big Five Theory

Model of five major personality traits

Openness

Creativity and curiosity

Conscientiousness

Organization and responsibility

Extraversion

Sociability and outgoingness

Agreeableness

Kindness and cooperation

Emotional stability (neuroticism)

Calmness vs. anxiety

Personality inventories

Questionnaires measuring personality traits

Factor analysis

Statistical method to group traits

Drive reduction theory

Motivation to reduce physical discomfort

Homeostasis

Maintaining internal balance

Arousal theory

Motivation to maintain optimal alertness

Optimal arousal

Best level of alertness for performance

Yerkes Dodson Law

Moderate arousal leads to best performance

Self determination theory

Motivation based on autonomy, competence, and relationships

Intrinsic motivation

Doing something for enjoyment

Extrinsic motivation

Doing something for rewards

Incentive theory

Behavior driven by external rewards

Instincts

Inborn patterns of behavior

Approach-approach conflict

Choice between two good options

Avoidance-avoidance conflict

Choice between two bad options

Approach-avoidance conflict

One option has both positive and negative aspects

Sensation seeking theory

Need for novel and intense experiences

Experience seeking

Desire for new mental experiences

Thrill/adventure seeking

Desire for risky activities

Disinhibition

Seeking social excitement

Boredom susceptibility

Dislike of routine

Emotion (affect)

Feeling involving body, thoughts, and behavior

Facial

feedback hypothesis - Facial expressions influence emotions

Broaden

and-build theory - Positive emotions expand thinking and build resources

Universality of emotional expression

Basic emotions recognized worldwide

Display rules

Cultural rules for expressing emotions

Eating motivation

Biological and environmental drives to eat

Ghrelin

Hunger-increasing hormone

Leptin

Fullness-signaling hormone

Hypothalamus

Brain region regulating hunger

Pituitary gland

Controls hormone release

Hunger

Desire to eat

Satiety

Feeling of fullness

External factors (cues)

Environmental triggers for eating