Flashcards for Chapter 11: Personality

Personality

An individual's unique set of consistent behavioral traits.

Personality Traits

Durable dispositions to behave in particular ways across various situations.

Psychodynamic Theories

Theories that emphasize unconscious mental forces and early childhood experiences.

Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory

Suggests that behavior results from internal conflicts among the id, ego, and superego.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies to reduce anxiety, such as repression and projection.

Behavioral Theories

Theories that suggest personality is shaped by environmental influences and learning.

Skinner's Operant Conditioning

The theory that behavior is determined by reinforcement and punishment.

Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory

Emphasizes observational learning and self-efficacy.

Humanistic Theories

Theories that focus on individual growth and self-actualization.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A theory that suggests individuals are motivated by a series of hierarchical needs, culminating in self-actualization.

Rogers' Person-Centered Theory

Emphasizes the importance of unconditional positive regard in personal development.

Big Five Personality Traits

A model proposing that personality is composed of five broad dimensions: Extraversion, Neuroticism, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness.

Projective Tests

Tests that require individuals to respond to ambiguous stimuli, revealing hidden aspects of personality.

Rorschach Inkblot Test

A projective test where participants interpret inkblot images.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A projective test where individuals create stories based on ambiguous pictures.

Self-Report Inventories

Questionnaires where individuals assess their own behaviors and traits.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

A self-report inventory that assesses personality traits and psychopathology.

Strengths of Personality Theories

Provide frameworks for understanding individual differences and have practical applications in therapy and employment.

Critiques of Personality Theories

Some theories lack empirical support, and personality assessments can be influenced by social desirability biases.