4.4 - Psychodynamic and Humanistic Theories of Personality

Personality

individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving

Psychodynamic Thory

Freud’s theory that personality is shaped by unconscious drives and conflicts

Conscious

refers to thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that we are actively aware of at any given moment

Preconscious

consists of memories and info that are not currently in awareness that can be easily brought to consciousness

Unconscious

contains thoughts and memories that are outside of conscious awareness, often influencing behavior without our realization

Free Association

method of exploring the unconscious in which a person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind, no matter how embarrassing

Id

reservoir of unconscious psychic energy that strives to satisfy basic sexual and aggressive drives; pleasure principle

Superego

represents internalized ideas and provides standards for judgement; morality principle

Ego

largely conscious, “executive” part of personality that mediates among the demands of the id, superego, and reality; reality principle

Defense Mechanisms

unconscious strategies used by individuals to reduce anxiety by distorting reality in various ways

Repression

unconscious blocking of distressing thoughts, memories, or impulses from conscious awareness

Denial

refusing to believe or even perceive painful realities

Displacement

Redirecting emotions toward a more acceptable or less threatening target

Projection

projecting one’s own poor qualities onto others

Rationalization

justifying behaviors with logical but false explanations to avoid feeling the underlying reasons; ex. alcoholic drinking “just to be sociable” with her friends

Regression

Reverting (regressing) to earlier stages of development when faced with stress

Sublimation

Channeling unacceptable desires into socially acceptable activities; ex. anger into playing sports

Reaction Formation

switching unacceptable impulses into their opposites

Projective Tests

personality test that provides ambiguous stimuli designed to trigger projection of one’s inner dynamics

Rorschach Inkblot Test

most widely used projective test; seeks to identify people’s inner feelings by analyzing their interpretations of the ink blots

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

projective test in which people are thought to express their inner feelings and interests through the stories they make up about ambiguous images

Humanistic Psychology

focuses on personal growth, free will, and belief that people have desire to become their best selves

Unconditional Positive Regard

accepting and valuing a person without conditions or judgement, fostering self-growth and self-acceptance

Self-Actualizing Tendency

Innate drive in humans to grow, fulfill their potential, and strive toward personal development and self-improvement