AP Psych Personality Vocab

Instincts

innate fixed patterns of behavior in animals triggered by specific stimuli

Drive Reduction Theory

behavior is motivated by the need to reduce internal drives caused my physiological deficits such as hugner or thirst

Belongingness

the innate human desire to form and sustain close meaningful relationships

Arousal Theory

indiv are motivated to maintain an optimal level of alertness seeking to increase when it is too low and vice versa

Yerkes - Dodson Law

performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, only up to a point

Sensation Seeking theory

proposes that one’s motivation is driven by need for varied, novel, and intense experiences

Thrill Seeking

a component of sensation-seeking theory, where indiv are motivated by the desire for intense and exciting experiences

Adventure Seeking

a component of sensation-seeking theory, indiv are motivated by the desire for new and challenging experiences

Disinhibition

refers to the tendency to seek out social and experiential thrills by enganging in behaviors that are typically restrained by social norms + inhibitions

Boredom Susceptibility

refers to an indiv intolerance for repetitive or monotonous experiences, seeking new and stimulating activities.

Incentive Theory

behavior is motivated by desire for exteernal rewards ig money or praise

Self-Determination Theory

proposes that people are motivated by intrinsic motivations such as personal growth and fulfilment or external motivations

Intrinsic Motivation

is the drive to engage in activities for their own sake, resulting in personal satisfaction and fulfillment.

Extrensic Motivation

is the drive to engage in activities to earn external rewards or avoid negative outcomes, such as money, praise, or recognition.

Lewin’s Motivational Conflicts Theory

describes how people face conflicting motivations that can lead to different types of conflict, such as approach-approach, avoidance-avoidance, and approach-avoidance.

Emotion

or affect, is a feeling that invovles our thoughts, body reactions, and actions, and is influenced by what happens insides us and around us

Elicitors

are stimuli or events that provoke emotional responses or behaviors in individuals.

Arousal Comes Before emotion

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

suggests that facial expressoins can influence or emotions

Arousal and Emotion Occur Simultaneously,

indicating that emotional experiences can occur at the same time as physiological arousal.

Arousal + Cognitive Label = Emotion

is a theory proposing that physiological arousal combined with a cognitive interpretation leads to the experience of emotions.

Broaden and Build Theory of Emotion

positive emotions help us think more openly and try new things, making us stronger, negative vice versa

Display rules

cultural norms that dictate how when and where indiv should express emotions

Psychodynamic Theory

suggests that personality is shaped by unconscious forces, internal conflicts, and defense mechanisms.

Preconscious Mind

contains thoughts and feelings not expressed but could be easily accessed

Unconscious Mind

consists of processes and memories that are beyond conscious awareness significant influence

Projective Tests

tools used by psychodynamic personality psychologists to assess personality by eliciting responses that reveal the contents.

Ego Defense Mechanisms

unconscious strategies used by the ego to protect itself from anxiety and maintain psychological stability.

Denial

is a defense mechanism where an individual refuses to accept reality or facts, thereby blocking external events from awareness.

Displacement

emotional impulses are redirected from the og source to a safer or more acceptable target

Projection

where indiv. attributes their own unacceptable thoughts or feelings onto others,

Rationalization

where indiv. justify and explain their behaviors or feelings in a rational/logical manner

Reaction Formation

indiv suppress unacceptable impulses by expressing the opposite emotion

Repression

distressing thoughts and feelings are unconsciously blocked

Sublimation

where negative urges and impulses are channeled into sociall acceptable behaviors or activities.

Humanistic Psych

is a psychological perspective that emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and the inherent goodness of people. It focuses on the individual's subjective experience and the capacity for self-improvement.

Unconditional Regard

a fundamental acceptance and support of a person regardless of what they say or do, important in therapeutic relationships.

Self-Actualizing tendency

refers to the innate drive in everybody to grow

Social Cognitive Theory

theory that emphasizes the influence of cognitive processes, behaviors, and context in understanding personality

Reciprocal Determinism

and indiuv. behavior, personal factors, and environment influence each other interactively

Self Concept

an indiuviduals perception of themselves

Self Efficacy

the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.

Self Esteem

overall subjective emotional evalution of their own worth

Trait theories

personality is made up of stable characteristics called traits

Big 5 theory

identifies 5 broad dimnesions or personality, Open, Conscous, Extraverson, Agree, and Neuroticism

Personality Inventories

standardized tools used to measure personality traits and characteristics.

Factor Analysis

is a statistical method used to identify clusters or related items

Openness to Experiance

characterized by an individual's willingness to try new things, be imaginative, and engage in complex thought.

Conscientiousness

refers to the degree of organization, dependability, and discipline a person exhibits in their behavior and decision-making.

Extraversion

is a personality trait characterized by sociability, assertiveness, and a tendency to seek stimulation in the company of others.

Agreeableness

is a personality trait that reflects how much a person is accommodating, cooperative, and compassionate towards others.

Neuroticism

is a personality trait that involves emotional instability, anxiety, and moodiness, often leading to a tendency to experience negative emotions.