Module 4: Psychological Perspective of the Self

Flashcards covering key vocabulary, theorists, personality structures, stages, and concepts from Module 4: Psychological Perspective of the Self.

Psychodynamic Perspective

A psychological view stating that childhood events strongly influence adult personality and that many mental processes occur outside conscious awareness.

Primacy of the Unconscious

The assumption that a major portion of mental activities, including memories, motives, feelings, and desires, are inaccessible to consciousness.

Critical Importance of Early Experiences

The assumption that early childhood events initiate personality processes that shape later adult behavior years or decades later.

Psychic Causality

The principle that psychological events do not occur by chance; thoughts, motives, and behaviors arise from identifiable biological and psychological processes.

Sigmund Freud

Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis who emphasized unconscious processes, childhood experiences, drives, and conflicts.

Conscious Level

The level of mental functioning containing thoughts, feelings, and perceptions of which a person is currently aware.

Preconscious Level

The level of mental functioning containing information that is not currently in awareness but can be easily retrieved into consciousness.

Unconscious Level

The level of mental functioning containing hidden drives, instincts, and memories outside awareness that motivate behavior.

Drive

In Freudian theory, a mental representation of an inner bodily source of excitement.

Freudian Slip

An accidental verbal statement that may unintentionally reveal an underlying unconscious thought.

Iceberg Model

Freud's structural analogy comparing the mind to an iceberg, where conscious activity is above water, preconscious is near the surface, and unconscious is deep below.

Id

The primitive, unorganized, inborn structure of personality operating on the Pleasure Principle, asking 'What do I want?'

Pleasure Principle

The governing rule of the Id that demands immediate satisfaction of primitive desires such as hunger, sex, and aggression.

Ego

The rational, reasonable part of personality operating on the Reality Principle, asking 'What is realistic?'

Reality Principle

The principle governing the Ego that balances the Id's desires, the Superego's restrictions, and the demands of reality.

Superego

The moral branch of personality developing around age 5 or 6 that represents internal moral ideals and conscience, asking 'What is right?'

Erogenous Zone

A specific area of the body that serves as a primary source of potential pleasure or frustration during a psychosexual stage.

Oral Stage

The first psychosexual stage (Birth–1 year) where pleasure centers on the mouth through activities like sucking, biting, and swallowing.

Anal Stage

The second psychosexual stage (1–3 years) where pleasure is associated with bowel and bladder control.

Phallic Stage

The third psychosexual stage (3–6 years) centered on genital awareness, giving rise to the Oedipus or Electra complex.

Latency Stage

The fourth psychosexual stage (6 years to puberty) where sexual urges remain hidden and focus shifts to schoolwork, hobbies, and peer friendships.

Genital Stage

The final psychosexual stage (Puberty to adulthood) characterized by mature sexual interest and adherence to social rules.

Alfred Adler

Austrian psychotherapist and founder of Individual Psychology who proposed that people are motivated by social interest and striving for superiority.

Individual Psychology

Adler's theoretical approach focusing on feelings of inferiority, striving for superiority, life goals, and social interest.

Self-Ideal

The fictional goal of personality representing an individual's image of success, achievement, and perfection.

Inferiority Complex

An unhealthy condition resulting from excessive feelings of inferiority and overcompensation, leading to helplessness and hopelessness.

Creative Power

Adler's concept of an individual's freedom to shape behavior, form personality, and set final goals, developing around ages 4–5.

Superiority Complex

A socially nonproductive pattern of behavior aimed at gaining personal superiority with little concern for others.

Social Interest

A feeling of oneness with humanity (community feeling) that motivates psychologically healthy individuals to cooperate and contribute to society.

Style of Life

An individual's unique flavor of life, encompassing self-concept, life goals, and attitudes toward others and the world.

Ruling Type

A style of life characterized by aggressive, dominating behavior and low social interest.

Getting Type

A dependent style of life where people take rather than give, expecting others to satisfy their needs.

Avoiding Type

A style of life where individuals attempt to escape life's challenges and avoid socially constructive activities.

Socially Useful Type

A healthy style of life marked by high social interest, social activity, and genuine concern for others.

Family Constellation

The social structure of the family, including parents and siblings, in which a child's birth order shapes lifestyle choices.

Erik Erikson

Developmental psychologist who proposed Psychosocial Theory, outlining eight stages of personality development across the lifespan.

Ego Identity

An individual's evolving sense of self shaped by ongoing social interactions and relationships across psychosocial stages.

Epigenetic Principle

The theory that personality unfolds through a predetermined sequence of eight life stages, each presenting a distinct psychosocial crisis.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Stage 1 (Birth–1 year): Infants learn to trust caregivers for basic needs; successful resolution leads to the virtue of Hope.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Stage 2 (18 mo.–2/3 years): Toddlers develop independence in exploring the environment; success yields the virtue of Will.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Stage 3 (3–5 years): Preschoolers plan activities and assert control; successful resolution develops the virtue of Purpose.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Stage 4 (5–12 years): Children navigate school demands and peer relationships; successful completion develops the virtue of Competence.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Stage 5 (12–18 years): Adolescents explore personal identity and life directions; successful resolution produces the virtue of Fidelity.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Stage 6 (19–40 years): Young adults form loving, intimate relationships; success develops the virtue of Love.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Stage 7 (40–65 years): Adults strive to create positive change and guide the next generation; success yields the virtue of Care.

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Stage 8 (65+ years): Older adults reflect on their lives with satisfaction or regret; successful resolution yields the virtue of Wisdom.

Humanistic Perspective

A psychological perspective focusing on free will, self-efficacy, self-actualization, and the innate goodness of individuals.

Carl Rogers

American psychologist and founder of person-centered psychotherapy who emphasized the actualizing tendency and human potential.

Formative Tendency

Rogers' proposition that all organic and inorganic matter possesses an inclination to evolve from simpler to more complex forms.

Actualizing Tendency

The single master human motive to move toward completion, potential fulfillment, and holistic self-realization.

Positive Regard

The basic human need to be liked, prized, valued, and accepted by significant others.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Accepting and valuing a person completely without any conditions, qualifications, or expectations.

Conditions of Worth

Perceptions developed when a person feels acceptance is conditional, believing they are valued only when meeting specific expectations.

Real Self

The perception of who an individual currently is in reality, including their attributes and behaviors.

Ideal Self

The image of the person an individual aspires or desires to become, including personal goals and ambitions.

Congruence

A state of harmony and balance occurring when the Real Self closely matches the Ideal Self, promoting psychological health.

Incongruence

A discrepancy between the Real Self and the Ideal Self that gives rise to psychological distress and anxiety.

Fully Functioning Person

An individual who is continually growing, open to experience, living existentially, trusting feelings, creative, and living a fulfilled life.