4.4 - Psychodynamic & Humanistic Theories of Personality

Personality

Personality is an individuals unique and relatively stable patterns of behavior, characteristics, thoughts, and emotions.

  • Patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting

  • It is persistent in your life and influences behaviors

Psychodynamic Theory of Personality

Psychodynamic theory of personality assumes that unconscious processes drive personality

Structure of Personality

  • Id wants instant pleasure

    • Doesn’t think about consequences

  • Ego balances the id’s desires with reality

    • Makes sure we act in a socially acceptable way

  • Superego is our conscience

    • Guides us with moral values and a sense of right and wrong

Id

Ego

Superego

Principle

Pleasure principle

Reality principle

Morality principle

Level of Consciousness

Unconscious

Conscious & unconscious

Conscious & unconscious

Ego Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms protect the ego unconsciously from threats (protects the conscious mind)

  • Denial is when you refuse to believe a painful reality

    • "I don’t drink that much," even if it’s affecting their life.

  • Displacement happens when you displace negative emotions onto a less threatening target

    • Asal yells at her friends when she is upset with her mom

  • Projection is when you blame others for your own feelings

    • If someone feels guilty about lying, they might accuse a friend of being dishonest instead

  • Rationalization is when you make excuses to avoid feeling bad about something

    • "The teacher hates me," instead of admitting they didn’t study

  • Reaction formation is acting the opposite of how you really feel

    • If I secretly feel insecure, I might act overly confident to hide it

  • Regression is when a person deals with stress by reverting to earlier, comforting behaviors

    • An adult might throw a tantrum when things don’t go their way

  • Repression is when we unconsciously push away painful thoughts or memories from our conscious awareness

    • A person who had a tough childhood might not remember much about it.

  • Sublimation is when we turn negative feelings into something positive

    • Instead of getting angry and lashing out, someone might channel their frustration into painting or exercising

Projective Tests for Assessments

Projective tests attempt to reveal hidden thoughts and feelings. Instead of answering direct questions, people respond to unclear images or situations, allowing their subconscious mind to influence their answers.

  • Rorschach inblock test

    • Involves asking people to look at a series of inkblots and describe what they see

      • since the images are random, their answers might revel deeper thoughts and emotions

  • Thematic apperception test (TAT)

    • Involves asking people to look at several cards and describe what is happening in the pictures

Humanistic Theory of Personality

Humanistic theories focuses on how experiences, choices, and the desire to grow shape personality.

  • Unconditional positive regard is when we feel valued and accepted no matter what

    • Helps build a healthier self-image and confidence

  • Self-actualization is the natural motivation to grow, improve, and reach one’s full potential

    • Developing talents

    • Setting goals

    • Living a meaningful life

Assessing Personality

Humanistic psychologists focus on personal experiences rather than strict tests

  • Interviews and open-ended conversations

    • To understand how a person sees themselves

  • Self-report questionnaires

    • To explore personal growth, values, and self-perception