Psychology Chapter 10: An Intro to Personality

Personality

refers to the unique, core set of characteristics that influence the way one thinks, acts, and feels

Psychoanalytic theory

personality develops early in life: we are greatly influenced by unconscious processes

Behavioral Theory

personality is shaped by interactions with the environment + learning

Humanistic Theory

we are innately good and in control of our destines; force moves us toward good

Social-Coginitive Theory

focuses on social influences and mental processes that affect personality; emphasizes the interaction of the environment, cognitive activity, and behavior

Biological Theory

emphasizes physiological and genetic influences on personality development; characteristics through genes

Trait Theory

looks at current traits to describe personality and predict behavior

The Topographical Model

created by Freud, proposed that the mind has 3 levels of consciouness

Name the 3 levels of consciousness in Freud’s Topographical model

1) conscious

2) preconscious

3) unconscious

Conscious

everything you’re aware of at this moment; thoughts, emotions, and sensations

Preconscious

mental activities outside your current awareness, can easily drift into the conscious relm

Unconscious

activities outside of your awareness, unconscious feelings, memories, wishes, thoughts, and urges may be difficult to bring to awareness

The Id

most primitive structure of the mind, fuels the impulsive and illogical side, follows the pleasure principle (seeks pleasure) and IS NOT rational

The Ego

preconscious, negotiates btwn the Id and the environmental, follows reality principles by adhering to the rules of the “real world” and delays gratification

The Superego

preconscious, guiding behavior to follow the rules of society, parents, authority; referred to as the “conscious” can be critical

Name the Ego Defense Mechanisms

1) sublimation

2) identification

3) displacement

4) repression

5) rationalization

6) projection

7) denial

Sublimation

redirecting unacceptable impulses into acceptable outlets

Identification

unconsciously modeling your feelings or action on the behaviors of someone you desire/admire

Displacement

shifting negative feelings and impulses to an acceptable target

Repression

anxiety-producing information is pushed into the unconscious

Rationalization

creating an acceptable excuse for an uncomfortable situation

Projection

attributing your own anxiety provoking thoughts/impulses to someone else

Denial

refusing to recognize a distressing reality

Name the 5 Freudian Psychosexual Stages

1) Oral

2) Anal

3) Phallic

4) Latency Period

5) Genital

Oral

(birth - 1.5 years) erogenous zone: mouth, focus: sucking, chewing, etc. conflict: weaning fixation: smoking, drinking, nail biting

Anal

(1.5-3 yrs) erogenous zone: anus focus: eliminating bodily waste and controlling bodily functions conflict: toilet training fixation: being rule-bound, stingy, chaotic, destructive

Phallic

(3-6 yrs) erogenous zone: genitals focus: sexual feelings and awareness of oneself conflict: self stimulation fixation: promiscuity, flirtation, vanity, etc.

Latency Period

(6 yrs to puberty) period which children develop mentally, socially, and physically

Genital

(puberty + beyond) erogenous zone: genitals focus: reawakening of sexuality, focus on relationships conflict: sexuality and aggression fixation: inability to thrive in adult experiences like work and love

Alfred Adler

• believed that humans are not just pleasure-seeking but conscious and intentional in behavior

• believed we are motivated by the need to feel superior

• created individual psychology

Individual Pyschology

created by A. Adler, focuses on each person’s unique struggle with feelings of inferiority

Carl Gustav Jung

• emphasized growth, self understanding, and the spiritual aspects of human nature

• created analytic psychology

• created collective unconscious

Analytic Psychology

created by Carl Gustav Jung, deemphasized biological urges and proposed we are driven by psychological energy (not sexual energy)

Collective Unconscious

holds the universal experiences of humankind passed from generation to generation (e.g. thoughts, feelings, urges. etc. all come from parents, grand parents, etc.)

Karen Horney

• emphasized the role of social environment, specifically the role of family

• believed that inadequate parenting leads to isolation and basic anxiety

• moving away, toward, and against ppl

Moving away from ppl

isolation and self-suffienciency

Moving toward ppl

affection and acceptance

Moving against ppl

controlling others

Carl Rodgers

• worked w A. Adler

• came up with Self-concept

Self-Concept

refers to knowledge of one’s strengths, abilities, behavior patterns, and temperament (can be high or low self concept)

Social-cognitive perspective

suggests that personality results from reinforcement, relationships, and other environmental factors and patterns of thinking

Self-efficacy

refers to beliefs about our ability and effectiveness in reaching goals

Traits

relatively stable properties that describe elements of personality

Surface traits

easily observable personality characteristics commonly used to describe ppl (ex: josie is quiet)

Source traits

the foundational qualities that give rise to surface traits (ex: “extraversion” then includes “warm”, ‘"assertive”

Name the 5 factor model of personality

1) Openness to Experience

2) Conscientiousness

3) Extraversion

4) Agreeableness

5) Neuroticism

Openness to Experience

conforming vs unconforming, uncreative vs creative, practical vs imaginative

Conscientiousness

unreliable vs reliable, lazy vs ambitious, spontaneous vs punctual

Extraversion

loner vs sociable, quiet vs talkative, reserved vs affectionate

Agreeableness

rude vs good-natured, uncooperative vs trusting, critical vs helpful

Neuroticism

calm vs emotional, even-tempered vs temperamental, secure vs worried