Ch 11

Personality

Enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish individuals from one another.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Theory developed by Sigmund Freud that views human nature as driven by unconscious desires and conflicts stemming from childhood experiences.

Conscious

Mental activity (thoughts, feelings, and memories) that we can access at any time.

Preconscious

Memories and information not currently in awareness but can be accessed.

Unconscious

Contains repressed memories, desires, and instincts that influence behavior.

Id

Primitive and instinctual part of personality that operates on the pleasure principle.

Ego

Rational part of personality that mediates between the id and reality, operates on the reality principle.

Superego

Moral conscience; internalized societal norms and values.

Repression

Burying distressing thoughts as a defense mechanism.

Denial

Refusing to accept reality as a defense mechanism.

Projection

Attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts to others as a defense mechanism.

Displacement

Redirecting emotions to a safer outlet as a defense mechanism.

Rationalization

Justifying behaviors with logical reasons as a defense mechanism.

Sublimation

Channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities as a defense mechanism.

Oral Stage

Psychosexual stage from 0-1 year focused on the mouth.

Anal Stage

Psychosexual stage from 1-3 years focused on bowel and bladder movements.

Phallic Stage

Psychosexual stage from 3-6 years focused on the genitals.

Latency Stage

Psychosexual stage from 6 years to puberty where sexual feelings are dormant.

Genital Stage

Psychosexual stage from puberty onward focused on mature sexual interests.

Self-Actualization

The drive toward personal growth and fulfillment.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A motivational theory comprising five levels of human needs, from physiological needs to self-actualization.

Self-Concept

The perception of oneself, encompassing beliefs and feelings about one's identity.

Congruence

Alignment between self-concept and actual experiences.

Incongruence

Discrepancy between self-concept and experiences.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Acceptance and support of a person regardless of actions, promoting a healthy self-concept.

Actualizing Tendency

The innate drive to maintain and enhance the self, leading to growth.

Social-Cognitive Theory

Theory emphasizing cognitive processes and social context in shaping personality.

Self-Efficacy

Belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations.

Reciprocal Determinism

Concept that behavior, personal factors, and environmental influences interact and influence each other.

Marshmallow Test

Study measuring self-control and ability to delay gratification.

Cattell's Source Traits

Fundamental traits using factor analysis identified by Cattell.

Eysenck's Extraversion-Introversion

Dimension describing where an individual derives energy (from social interactions or solitude).

Neuroticism-Stability

Dimension referring to emotional stability and the tendency to experience negative emotions.

Psychoticism

Dimension relating to aggressiveness and interpersonal hostility.

Big Five Personality Traits

Model identifying five broad traits: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism.

Openness to Experience

Reflects creativity, curiosity, and willingness to try new things.

Conscientiousness

Indicates how organized, dependable, and disciplined a person is.

Extraversion

Reflects sociability and assertiveness.

Agreeableness

Relates to being compassionate and cooperative.

Neuroticism

Indicates emotional instability and tendency to experience negative emotions.

Cultural Influences on Personality

Personality is shaped by cultural contexts influencing values, behaviors, and norms.

Selective Migration

Tendency of individuals to move to environments matching their personality traits.

Projective Tests

Open-ended tasks where individuals project thoughts and feelings onto ambiguous stimuli.

Self-Report Inventories

Standardized questionnaires for individuals to rate themselves on various traits.

Defense Mechanism

Unconscious protective behaviors designed to reduce ego anxiety.

Displacement

Redirecting emotions to a safer outlet as a defense mechanism.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

Personality test composed of true/false questions to establish a clinical profile.

Rorschach Inkblot Test

Projective test using inkblot images to reveal unconscious desires and fears.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

Projective test using ambiguous images for storytelling to uncover desires and fears.

Temperament

How a person reacts to the world, beginning from a very young age.

Real Self

The person who we actually are.

Ideal Self

The person we would like to be.

Neurosis

Tendency to experience negative emotions.

Altruism

Selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Sublimation

Channelling unacceptable urges into appropriate activities.

Heritability

Proportion of difference among people attributed to genetics.

Collective Unconscious

Shared unconscious psychological traits passed down through generations.

Archetype

Universally understood symbol or pattern that occurs across cultures.

Analytical Psychology

Jung's theory focusing on balance within personality and the significance of the collective unconscious.

Individual Psychology

Adler's focus on personality and compensation for feelings of inferiority.

Inferiority Complex

Feelings of lack of worth compared to others or societal standards.

Locus of Control

Beliefs about control over outcomes in life.

Latency Period

Psychosexual stage where sexual feelings are dormant.

Reaction Formation

Ego defense mechanism where unacceptable urges are swapped for their opposites.

Regression

Ego defense mechanism where a person returns to a more immature state of behavior.

Repression

Defense mechanism of keeping anxiety-related thoughts in the unconscious.

Rationalization

Making excuses to justify behavior as a defense mechanism.

Projection

Disguising unacceptable urges by attributing them to other people.