4.4 Psychodynamic and Humanistic Theories of Personality

Psychodynamic theory of personality

unconscious processes drive personality

Ego defense mechanisms

serve to protect the ego unconsciously from threats

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

7 defense mechanisms-

Regression- retreating to an earlier psychosexual stage, where some psychic energy remains fixated

Reaction formation- switching unacceptable impulses into their opposites

Projection- disguising one’s own threatening impulses by attributing them to others

Rationalization- offering self-justifying explanations in place of the real, more threatening unconscious reasons for one’s actions

Displacement- shifting sexual or aggressive impulses toward a more acceptable or less threatening object or person

Sublimation- transferring of unacceptable impulses into socially valued motives

Denial- refusing to believe or even perceive painful realities

Psychodynamic personality psychologists

assess personality using projective tests that are designed to probe the preconscious and unconscious mind

Projective test

a personality test, such as Rorschach, that provides ambigous images designed to trigger projection of one’s inner dynamics

Rorschach inkblot test

the most widely used projective test'; a set of 10 inkblots designed by Hermann Rorschach; seeks to identify peoples’ inner feelings by analyzing their interpretations of blots

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

a projective test in which people express their inner feelings and interests through the stories they make up about ambiguous scenes

Humanistic theory of personality

According to humanistic psychology, personality focuses on unconditional regard and the self-actualizing tendency as primary motivating factors.

Unconditional regard

a caring, accepting, nonjudgmental attitude, which Carl Rogers believed would help people develop self awareness and self acceptance.

A growth promoting social climate provides acceptance(including unconditional positive regard), genuineness, and empathy according to Rogers

Self-actualizing tendency

need to live up to our fullest and unique potential