APPSYCH 4.1

march 13th, 2025

Personality

The enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish individuals from one another and make them unique.

Psychodynamic Theory

A perspective in psychology that emphasizes the influence of unconscious forces, early childhood experiences, and the importance of internal conflicts in shaping behavior and personality.

Psychoanalysis

A therapeutic approach and theory of personality developed by Sigmund Freud, which focuses on bringing unconscious thoughts and feelings into conscious awareness to resolve internal conflicts and emotional difficulties.

Free Association

A technique used in psychoanalysis where the patient is encouraged to say whatever comes to mind without censorship, which is believed to reveal unconscious thoughts and feelings.

Id

The part of the personality that contains our basic drives and operates according to the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification without regard for reality or consequences.

Ego

The rational, decision-making part of the personality that operates according to the reality principle. It mediates between the desires of the id and the moral constraints of the superego.

Superego

The part of the personality that represents internalized moral standards and ideals, often learned from parents and society. It strives for perfection and judges the actions of the ego.

Defense Mechanisms

Psychological strategies used by the ego to protect itself from anxiety caused by conflicts between the id, ego, and superego. They distort reality to reduce tension.

Denial

A defense mechanism in which a person refuses to acknowledge reality or the existence of a painful fact or event.

Displacement

A defense mechanism in which an individual shifts emotional impulses from a threatening or unsuitable target to a safer one.

Projection

A defense mechanism in which a person attributes their own undesirable feelings or thoughts onto another person.

Rationalization

A defense mechanism in which an individual justifies their actions or feelings with logical but false explanations to make them seem more acceptable.

Reaction Formation

A defense mechanism where a person behaves in the opposite way to what they truly feel to prevent anxiety or guilt.

Regression

A defense mechanism where an individual reverts to an earlier stage of development or behavior, often in response to stress.

Repression

A defense mechanism in which distressing thoughts, feelings, or memories are pushed into the unconscious mind, where they are not easily accessible.

Sublimation

A defense mechanism that involves channeling unacceptable impulses or desires into socially acceptable or productive behaviors, such as artistic or athletic pursuits.

Projective Tests

Psychological tests designed to assess unconscious thoughts, feelings, and motivations by asking individuals to respond to ambiguous stimuli. They are thought to reveal hidden aspects of the personality.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A projective test developed by Henry Murray that involves showing individuals a series of ambiguous pictures and asking them to create stories about the scenes, which are then analyzed for underlying psychological themes.

Rorschach Inkblot Test

A projective test consisting of ten inkblots created by Hermann Rorschach, used to assess an individual’s thought disorder, emotional functioning, and personality traits based on their interpretations of the inkblots.

Preconscious

The part of the mind that contains thoughts and feelings that are not currently conscious but can easily be brought into awareness.

Unconscious

A part of the mind that stores thoughts, memories, and desires that are outside of conscious awareness and can influence behavior, often in ways the individual is unaware of.

Collective Unconscious

A concept introduced by Carl Jung, referring to the shared, universal experiences and memories of humanity, stored in the unconscious mind of all individuals.

Humanistic Psychology

A perspective in psychology that emphasizes the inherent goodness of people, the potential for growth, and the importance of free will and self-determination in shaping personality and behavior.

Unconditional Positive Regard

A concept developed by Carl Rogers, referring to accepting and supporting a person without judgment, regardless of their behavior, to foster self-esteem and personal growth.

Self-Actualizing Tendency

The innate drive in humans to achieve their fullest potential and become the best version of themselves, central to humanistic psychology.

Social Cognitive Theory

A theory of personality developed by Albert Bandura, emphasizing the role of cognitive processes, social interactions, and environmental factors in shaping behavior and personality.

Behavioral Approach

An approach to psychology that focuses on observable behavior and the ways in which it is learned through interaction with the environment, often through conditioning.

Reciprocal Determinism

A concept from social cognitive theory, proposed by Albert Bandura, which suggests that personal factors, behavior, and the environment all influence each other in a continuous loop.

Self

The individual's overall sense of identity and perception of their own attributes, qualities, and characteristics.

Self Concept

An individual’s belief about themselves, including their abilities, traits, and behaviors. It is shaped by personal experiences and interactions with others.