Ch 11

What is Personality?

- Personality refers to the enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish individuals from one another.

### Psychoanalytic Theory

How does psychoanalytic theory see human nature?

- Psychoanalytic theory, developed by Sigmund Freud, views human nature as driven by unconscious desires and conflicts, particularly those stemming from childhood experiences.

Levels of Consciousness:

1. Conscious: Thoughts and feelings we're currently aware of.

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

3. Unconscious: Contains repressed memories, desires, and instincts that influence behavior.

Parts of Personality:

1. Id: Primitive and instinctual part; operates on the pleasure principle.

2. Ego: Rational part; mediates between the id and reality, operates on the reality principle.

3. Superego: Moral conscience; internalized societal norms and values.

Defense Mechanisms:

- Strategies used by the ego to protect against anxiety. Types include:

- Repression: Burying distressing thoughts.

- Denial: Refusing to accept reality.

- Projection: Attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts to others.

- Displacement: Redirecting emotions to a safer outlet.

- Rationalization: Justifying behaviors with logical reasons.

- Sublimation: Channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities.

Stages of Psychosexual Development:

1. Oral Stage (0-1 year)

2. Anal Stage (1-3 years)

3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years)

4. Latency Stage (6-puberty)

5. Genital Stage (puberty onward)

Pros/Cons of Psychoanalytic Theory:

- Pros: Emphasizes the influence of the unconscious and childhood experiences.

- Cons: Lacks empirical support and is often criticized for being unscientific.

### Humanistic Theory

Humanistic theory view of human nature:

- Views humans as inherently good, with a drive toward self-actualization and personal growth.

Maslow's Motivation and Hierarchy of Needs:

- Behavior is motivated by a hierarchy of needs, from physiological needs to self-actualization at the top.

- Hierarchy of Needs:

1. Physiological

2. Safety

3. Love/Belonging

4. Esteem

5. Self-Actualization

Characteristics of Self-Actualized People:

- Autonomy, authenticity, creativity, and a deep appreciation for life.

Self-Concept:

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

Congruence/Incongruence:

- Congruence: Alignment between self-concept and actual experiences.( thoughts match your actions )

- Incongruence: Discrepancy between self-concept and experiences.( thoughts don't match your actions )

Unconditional Positive Regard:

- Acceptance and support of a person regardless of what they say or do, promoting congruence and a healthy self-concept.

Actualizing Tendency:

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

Pros/Cons of Humanistic Theory:

- Pros: Emphasizes personal growth and the positive aspects of human nature.

- Cons: May overlook the influence of social and environmental factors.

### Social-Cognitive Theory

Social-Cognitive Theory of Personality:

- Emphasizes the role of cognitive processes and social context in shaping personality.

Self-Efficacy:

- Belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations; originates from experiences, observations, and encouragement.

Reciprocal Determinism:

- The concept that behavior, personal factors, and environmental influences interact and influence each other.

Marshmallow Test:

- A study measuring self-control in children; relates to personality by illustrating the ability to delay gratification.

Pros/Cons of Social-Cognitive Theory:

- Pros: Integrates cognitive processes and recognizes the role of environment.

- Cons: May downplay biological factors in personality development.

### Trait Theory

Trait Theory of Personality:

- Focuses on identifying and measuring individual personality characteristics.

Source Traits vs. Surface Traits:

- Source Traits: Fundamental traits that underlie human personality (e.g., Cattell’s 16 factors).

- Surface Traits: Observable behaviors that are influenced by source traits.

**Cattell and Eysenck’s Trait Proposals: Certainly! Continuing from where we left off regarding trait theory:

### Trait Theory (continued)

Cattell and Eysenck’s Trait Proposals:

- Cattell: Proposed 16 primary source traits, which can be measured using the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF). He emphasized the importance of using factor analysis to determine the underlying traits.

- Eysenck: Proposed a model of personality based on three dimensions:

1. Extraversion-Introversion: Describes where an individual derives energy (from social interactions or solitude).

2. Neuroticism-Stability: Refers to emotional stability and the tendency to experience negative emotions.

3. Psychoticism: Relates to aggressiveness and interpersonal hostility, indicating a person’s degree of socialization.

### The Big Five Personality Traits:

The Big Five Model (also known as the Five Factor Model) identifies five broad traits that are used to describe human personality:

1. Openness to Experience: Reflects creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to try new things. High scorers are imaginative and open-minded, while low scorers may prefer routine and familiarity.

2. Conscientiousness: Indicates how organized, dependable, and disciplined a person is. High scorers are responsible and goal-oriented, while low scorers may be more spontaneous and less reliable.

3. Extraversion: Reflects sociability and assertiveness. High scorers are outgoing and energetic, while low scorers (introverts) may be reserved and prefer solitary activities.

4. Agreeableness: Relates to being compassionate and cooperative. High scorers are empathetic and kind, while low scorers may be more competitive or antagonistic.

5. Neuroticism: Indicates emotional stability. High scorers tend to experience negative emotions like anxiety and mood swings, while low scorers are more calm and resilient.

### Pros/Cons of Trait Theory:

- Pros:

- Provides a clear framework for understanding and measuring personality.

- Strong empirical support from studies correlating traits with behaviors and outcomes.

- Easy to self-assess and apply in various contexts (e.g., workplaces, therapy).

- Cons:

- May oversimplify the complexity of human personality by reducing it to a limited number of traits.

- Can neglect the impact of situational factors and the dynamic nature of personality over time.

### Cultural Influences on Personality:

- Personality is shaped by cultural contexts, which can influence values, behaviors, and social norms. Different cultures may emphasize varying traits as desirable, leading to diverse expressions of personality.

- Selective Migration: Refers to the tendency of individuals to move to environments that match their personality traits, thereby influencing the personality composition of communities and social groups.

### Measuring Personality:

1. Projective Tests:

- Techniques that involve open-ended tasks (e.g., Rorschach Inkblot Test, Thematic Apperception Test) where individuals project their thoughts and feelings onto ambiguous stimuli.

- Useful for exploring the unconscious but can be subjective and difficult to interpret.

2. Self-Report Inventories:

- Standardized questionnaires where individuals rate themselves on various traits (e.g., Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Big Five Inventory).

- Provides quantifiable data but may be influenced by social desirability bias or lack of self-awareness.