Psychology Concepts
Vocabulary
Self-efficacy: The belief in one's capabilities to execute the behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments.
Collective unconscious: A term coined by Carl Jung, referring to structures of the unconscious mind shared among beings of the same species. It is a repository of shared memories and archetypes across cultures.
Collectivism: A cultural value that emphasizes the group over the individual, promoting social cohesion and the well-being of the community as a priority.
Concepts to Know
Defense Mechanisms
Understanding defense mechanisms is crucial in psychology as they help to protect the individual from anxiety and stress. Here are key defense mechanisms:
Repression: The unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts, feelings, and impulses. It represents a failure to confront fears or memories.
Displacement: Redirecting emotions from a dangerous subject to a safe one. For example, taking out frustrations from work on a family member.
Denial: Refusing to accept reality or facts. This might manifest as an individual asserting that a problem doesn’t exist when it clearly does.
Sublimation: Transforming unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable actions, like channeling aggressive energy into sports.
Projection: Attributing one’s own undesirable thoughts or feelings to others. For instance, someone who is unfaithful may accuse their partner of infidelity.
Reaction Formation: Exhibiting behavior that is the opposite of one’s true feelings, often as a defense mechanism. For example, treating someone you dislike in an overly friendly manner.
The Id, Ego, and Superego
These components of personality as defined by Sigmund Freud explain individual behavior:
Id: The primal part of the personality that seeks immediate gratification and operates on the pleasure principle.
Ego: The rational part that mediates between the desires of the id and the realities of the outside world, functioning on the reality principle.
Superego: The moral conscience that incorporates the values and norms of society, striving for perfection and often conflicting with the id.
Self-Actualization
Characteristics of a self-actualizing person, as described in humanistic theories (especially by Abraham Maslow), include:
Autonomy and independence
Acceptance of themselves and others
Ability to problem-solve autonomously
Authenticity and spontaneity in relationships
Pursuit of peak experiences
Locus of Control
Internal locus of control: Belief that outcomes are controlled by one’s own efforts or decisions.
External locus of control: Belief that life events are influenced by external factors such as luck or fate.
Reciprocal Determinism
This principle, formulated by Albert Bandura, posits that personal, behavioral, and environmental factors are interrelated and can influence one another, creating a cycle of mutual influence.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow's model illustrates the progression of human needs:
Physiological needs (food, water, warmth)
Safety needs (security, stability)
Love and belonging (relationships, social connections)
Esteem needs (self-esteem, recognition)
Self-actualization (achieving potential)
The Big Five Traits
The five major personality traits, commonly referred to as the Big Five, include:
Openness: Creativity and willingness to try new experiences.
Conscientiousness: Organization and dependability.
Extraversion: Sociability and assertiveness.
Agreeableness: Compassionate and cooperative.
Neuroticism: Emotional instability and sensitivity to stress. These traits are associated with the trait perspective of personality.
Projective Tests
Types of projective tests (used to uncover hidden desires and motivations) include:
Rorschach Inkblot Test
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Criticism includes concerns over their reliability and validity, as interpretations can be subjective.
Stabilization of Traits
Personality traits typically begin to stabilize in early adulthood, around age 30, as individuals settle into roles and responsibilities.
Humanists vs. Behaviorists
The main differences lie in their focus:
Humanists center on individual growth, free will, and self-actualization, while
Behaviorists emphasize observable behaviors and environmental influences, often dismissing internal processes as irrelevant.
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