CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS OUTSIDE THE DISPOSITIONAL PARADIGM

A set of flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on personality and individual differences including theories, approaches, and influential factors.

Psychoanalysis

A therapeutic and method theory pioneered by Sigmund Freud, based on the idea that unconscious motivations and needs influence behavior.

Psychodynamic theories

Theories that view personality as the result of dynamic conflict between unconscious and conscious psychological forces.

Behaviorism

The study of observable behavior that explains human behavior based on conditioning rather than internal psychological processes.

Conditioning

The process of learning how to respond in specific ways to appropriate stimuli.

Radical behaviorism

An approach developed by B.F. Skinner that focuses on environmental factors as the main causes of behavior.

Phenomenology

The study of phenomena as they are perceived or represented, emphasizing subjective experience.

Self-actualization

The capacity for personal improvement and realization of one's potential.

Congruence

The state achieved when an individual's ideal self aligns with their actual self.

Relational schemas

Knowledge structures arising from social interaction that help individuals process expectations and beliefs.

Trait theory

A theory that focuses on inherent personality traits to explain differences between individuals.

Biological approaches to personality

Approaches that aim to identify links between physical and psychological variables relevant to personality.

Behavioral genetics

The study of the influence of genetic and environmental factors on personality traits.

Evolutionary psychology

The study of how evolution has shaped psychological traits and behaviors.

Cultural approaches to personality

The examination of how cultural factors influence personality traits and behaviors.

Empirical testing

The process of testing theories through observation and experimentation.

Collectivist cultures

Cultures that emphasize group goals and the importance of the community over individual goals.

Individualist cultures

Cultures that prioritize individual goals and personal autonomy over group goals.

Defense mechanisms

Psychological strategies used to cope with reality and maintain self-image.

Unconscious mind

Part of the mind that is not accessible to conscious thought but influences feelings and behavior.

Social cognitive theory

A theory that emphasizes the role of social interaction and cognitive processes in personality development.

Implicit learning

Learning that occurs without conscious awareness of what has been learned.

Behavioral change

The process of altering behaviors through various conditioning methods.

Phenomenological principles

Concepts that focus on individual subjective experience and the meaning ascribed to those experiences.

Self-perception

An individual’s understanding and beliefs about their own characteristics and abilities.

Trait stability

The consistency of an individual's trait behaviors over time and across situations.

Schema

A cognitive framework or concept that helps organize and interpret information.

Evolutionary psychology

The study of psychological traits as adaptations that have evolved to solve problems of survival or reproduction.

Testable hypothesis

A statement that can be empirically tested and proven or disproven.

Reductionism

The practice of analyzing complex phenomena by breaking them down into simpler components.

Personality development

The process through which individuals form and grow their personality traits throughout life.

Personal improvement

The ongoing process of enhancing one's personal abilities and qualities.

Conflict between motives

The struggle between different psychological forces that influence behavior.

Behavioral outcomes

The results of learned behaviors and their effects on an individual's actions.