module 8 part 1

What is personality?

The relatively enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish one individual from another.

What does personality influence?

How people think, feel, behave, and interact with others.

What is trait theory?

A theory suggesting personality is made up of stable characteristics called traits.

What is psychodynamic theory?

Freud's theory that unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences shape personality.

Who developed psychodynamic theory?

Sigmund Freud.

According to Freud, what are the three parts of personality?

Id, Ego, and Superego.

What is the id?

The primitive, unconscious part of personality that seeks immediate gratification of basic drives.

What principle does the id follow?

The pleasure principle.

What is the pleasure principle?

The tendency to seek immediate gratification and avoid pain.

Examples of behaviors driven by the id.

Eating when hungry, acting impulsively, seeking pleasure without considering consequences.

What is the ego?

The rational part of personality that mediates between the id, superego, and reality.

What principle does the ego follow?

The reality principle.

What is the reality principle?

The tendency to satisfy desires in realistic and socially acceptable ways.

What is the superego?

The moral component of personality that represents internalized societal and parental values.

What does the superego do?

Judges actions as right or wrong and produces feelings of pride or guilt.

Which part of personality is completely unconscious?

The id.

Which part of personality operates mostly consciously?

The ego.

Which part of personality represents morality?

The superego.

Which personality structure develops first?

The id.

Which personality structure develops second?

The ego.

Which personality structure develops last?

The superego.

What happens if the id dominates personality?

The person may become impulsive, reckless, and self-centered.

What happens if the superego dominates personality?

The person may become overly guilty, perfectionistic, or rigid.

What happens if the ego functions well?

The person balances desires, morals, and reality effectively.

What are defense mechanisms?

Unconscious strategies used by the ego to reduce anxiety caused by internal conflict.

According to Freud, why do defense mechanisms exist?

To protect the individual from anxiety and psychological distress.

How do modern psychologists view defense mechanisms?

Many are considered common coping strategies, although excessive reliance can become unhealthy.

What is repression?

Unconsciously blocking distressing thoughts or memories from awareness.

Example of repression.

A person cannot remember a traumatic childhood event.

What is denial?

Refusing to accept reality because it is too threatening.

Example of denial.

A smoker insists smoking is not harmful despite medical evidence.

What is projection?

Attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else.

Example of projection.

A dishonest person accuses others of lying.

What is displacement?

Redirecting emotions from the original source to a safer target.

Example of displacement.

Yelling at your sibling after being criticized by your boss.

What is regression?

Returning to behaviors typical of an earlier developmental stage when stressed.

Example of regression.

A toilet-trained child begins wetting the bed after a new sibling is born.

What is reaction formation?

Behaving in a way opposite to one's true feelings.

Example of reaction formation.

Treating someone you dislike with excessive friendliness.

What is rationalization?

Creating logical explanations to justify unacceptable behavior.

Example of rationalization.

Saying you failed an exam because the questions were unfair instead of admitting you didn't study.

What is sublimation?

Channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable behaviors.

Example of sublimation.

A person with aggressive impulses becomes a boxer.

Which defense mechanism is considered the healthiest?

Sublimation.

Which defense mechanism involves forgetting traumatic memories?

Repression.

Which defense mechanism involves refusing reality?

Denial.

Which defense mechanism involves blaming others for your own feelings?

Projection.

Which defense mechanism involves taking frustration out on a safer target?

Displacement.

Which defense mechanism involves returning to childlike behaviors?

Regression.

Which defense mechanism involves acting opposite your true feelings?

Reaction formation.

Which defense mechanism involves making excuses?

Rationalization.

According to Freud, what creates anxiety?

Conflict among the id, ego, and superego.

What is unconscious processing?

Mental activity that occurs outside conscious awareness.

Why is Freud's theory criticized today?

Many concepts are difficult to scientifically test or falsify.

What contribution did Freud make despite criticism?

He emphasized the importance of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences.