Psych 2

Psychology Study Guide

1. Definition of Personality

Personality refers to the unique and relatively stable patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that characterize an individual.

2. Major Perspectives of Personality

Psychoanalytic Perspective

  • Freud: Personality shaped by unconscious conflicts, childhood experiences, and sexual/aggressive drives. Id, ego, superego.

  • Erikson: Focused on social and cultural influences. Personality develops across 8 psychosocial stages.

Behavioral Perspective

  • Personality is learned through conditioning (classical and operant) and environmental reinforcement.

Trait Theory (Big Five)

  • Personality described using five broad traits:

    • Openness

    • Conscientiousness

    • Extraversion

    • Agreeableness

    • Neuroticism

Social-Cognitive Perspective

  • Personality develops from interactions between behavior, cognition, and environment (reciprocal determinism).

  • Includes concepts like self-efficacy.

3. Freud’s Psychosexual Theory

  1. Oral (0–1 yr): Pleasure from mouth; fixation → dependency or oral habits.

  2. Anal (1–3): Toilet training; fixation → anal-retentive or anal-expulsive traits.

  3. Phallic (3–6): Oedipus/Electra complex.

  4. Latency (6–12): Sexual feelings dormant.

  5. Genital (12+): Mature sexual interests.

4. Erikson’s Eight Psychosocial Stages (GREAT LENGTH)

1. Trust vs. Mistrust (0–1)

  • Crisis: Can I trust caregivers?

  • Success: Hope, secure attachment.

  • Failure: Mistrust, fear.

2. Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt (1–3)

  • Crisis: Independence vs. reliance.

  • Success: Willpower, confidence.

  • Failure: Shame, doubt in ability.

3. Initiative vs. Guilt (3–6)

  • Crisis: Taking initiative vs. feeling guilty for desires.

  • Success: Purpose, leadership.

  • Failure: Guilt, inhibition.

4. Industry vs. Inferiority (6–12)

  • Crisis: Mastery of skills vs. feeling inferior.

  • Success: Competence.

  • Failure: Inferiority.

5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (12–18)

  • Crisis: "Who am I?" Identity formation.

  • Success: Stable identity.

  • Failure: Confusion, insecurity.

6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (18–40)

  • Crisis: Forming deep relationships.

  • Success: Love, meaningful bonds.

  • Failure: Loneliness, isolation.

7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (40–65)

  • Crisis: Contribution vs. feeling stuck.

  • Success: Productivity, mentoring.

  • Failure: Self-absorption.

8. Integrity vs. Despair (65+)

  • Crisis: Life reflection.

  • Success: Wisdom, acceptance.

  • Failure: Regret, despair.

5. Imaginary Audience

Adolescents believe others are constantly watching/judging them.

6. Personal Fable

Belief in one’s uniqueness and invincibility; "It won’t happen to me."

7. Marcia’s Identity Status Theory

Based on exploration + commitment:

  • Identity Diffusion: No exploration, no commitment.

  • Identity Foreclosure: Commitment without exploration.

  • Identity Moratorium: Active exploration, no commitment.

  • Identity Achievement: Exploration + commitment.

8. Emerging & Established Adulthood

  • Emerging adulthood: Ages ~18–25; exploration, instability, identity.

  • Established adulthood: Late 20s–40s; stability, career, relationships.

9. Quarter-Life Crisis

Early adulthood stress related to identity, career, finances, relationships.

10. Midlife Crisis

Emotional turmoil around midlife; questioning meaning/purpose.

11. Successful Aging Theories

  • Activity Theory: Staying active leads to satisfaction.

  • Continuity Theory: Maintaining previous lifestyle patterns.

Disengagement Theory

Older adults gradually withdraw from roles and society; controversial.

Section 13: Development & Attachment

1. Attachment Theory (Ainsworth)

Strange Situation & Behaviors

  • Secure: Distressed when mom leaves; comforted upon return.

  • Avoidant: Not distressed; avoids caregiver.

  • Ambivalent/Resistant: Intense distress; not easily soothed.

  • Disorganized: Confused, inconsistent behaviors.

Attachment in Adulthood

  • Secure: Healthy relationships, trust.

  • Avoidant: Emotionally distant, difficulty with intimacy.

  • Anxious (Ambivalent): Clingy, fear of abandonment.

2. Harlow’s Monkey Experiment

  • Monkeys preferred comfort (cloth mother) over food (wire mother).

  • Demonstrated importance of contact comfort in bonding.

3. Play Development (Parten)

  1. Unoccupied

  2. Solitary

  3. Onlooker

  4. Parallel

  5. Associative

  6. Cooperative

4. Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love

Love consists of:

  • Intimacy

  • Passion

  • Commitment
    Different combinations → different types of love.

Section 11: Gender & Sexuality

Gender Roles

Societal expectations for masculine/feminine behavior.

Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Terms

  • Sexual orientation: Attraction (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, etc.).

  • Gender identity: Personal sense of gender (cisgender, transgender, nonbinary).

  • Gender expression: Outward presentation of gender.

Section 12: Kohlberg’s Moral Development Theory

Three levels, six stages:

Level 1: Preconventional

  1. Obedience & Punishment: Avoid punishment.

  2. Self-Interest: What’s in it for me?

Level 2: Conventional

  1. Interpersonal Harmony: Being "good" to gain approval.

  2. Authority & Social Order: Following rules/laws.

Level 3: Postconventional

  1. Social Contract: Rules are flexible; greatest good for greatest number.

  2. Universal Ethical Principles: Personal moral code above laws.