Ch 11 Personality Day 2

Chapter Overview

Definition of personality
Various perspectives on personality:
- Psychoanalytic Perspective
- Humanistic Perspective
- Social Cognitive Perspective
- Trait Perspective
Assessing Personality: Psychological Tests

Class Cancellation: No class on Thursday, Feb 20.
Online Assignment: Complete The Big 5 Personality questionnaire.
- Write a 300-500 word reflection paper discussing the test results.
- Worth 50 points; deadline: Sunday, Feb. 23, 11:59 PM.
Late Submissions: Not accepted for this assignment.

Instructions:
- Complete Big 5 questionnaires through The Big Five Project.
- Write a reflection paper including:
  - Percentile ratings on each dimension.
  - Discussion of what each trait indicates about your personality.
  - 2-3 real-life examples per trait illustrating key personality features.
- Include screenshots of results in the same document.
Grading Rubric: Total of 50 points
- 45 points for trait analysis (9 points per trait).
- 3 points for percentiles.
- 3 points for personality insights.
- 3 points for real-life examples.
- 5 points for results screenshot.

Emergence: Positioned as the “Third Force” opposed to psychoanalysis and behaviorism.
Emphasis on:
- Innate goodness of people.
- Healthy personality development.
- Importance of conscious perception of self.

Focus:
- Free will and self-awareness.
- Psychological growth and self-actualization.
- Inherent goodness and potential of individuals.

Core Concept: Actualizing tendency is the main human drive, emphasizing personal growth.
Development:
- Self-concept and its impact on motivation.
- Focus on positive regard and its implications for personal development.

Definition: Set of perceptions and beliefs about oneself.
Development:
- Begins in early childhood (approximately age 2).
- Positive regard is essential for healthy self-concept.
Incongruence: Occurs when actual self contrasts with ideal self, leading to self-actualization barriers.

Types:
- Conditional: Value is given based on acceptable behavior.
- Unconditional: Value is given regardless of behavior.
Fully Functioning Person: Possesses a flexible and evolving self-concept, experiencing congruence.

Hierarchy of Needs: Ultimate goal is self-actualization, achieving one's potential.
Characteristics of Self-Actualized Individuals:
- Realistic perception of self and others.
- Spontaneity and openness.
- Acceptance of self and others.
- Focus beyond self, valuing privacy and independence.
- Ongoing appreciation of life’s positive aspects.
- Creativity.
- Few people achieve this state as defined by Maslow.

Strengths:
- Influential in therapy, education, and parenting.
- Validated importance of subjective experience and self-concept.
Limitations:
- Challenging to test scientifically; often based on philosophical views rather than empirical research.
- Overly optimistic; may overlook destructive human traits.

Core Focus:
- Conscious self-regulation over unconscious drives.
- Importance of context and situational factors.
- Personality influenced by thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Key Concepts:
- Observational learning and conscious processes.
- Self-efficacy: Belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations.
- Reciprocal Determinism: Interplay of behavior, cognitive processes, and environmental factors.
- Famous for Bobo Doll Study demonstrating observational learning.

Definition: Individuals' beliefs in their abilities affect their confidence.
Growth through mastery experiences: Success enhances self-efficacy.

Strengths:
- Supported by extensive laboratory research.
- Highlights self-regulated behavior and personal responsibility.
Limitations:
- Studies may oversimplify reality and ignore emotional complexity.
- Underemphasizes unconscious influences.

Freud: Pessimistic view; aggression as an innate destructive instinct.
Rogers: Positive view; belief in human growth towards betterment.
Bandura: Behaviors driven by conscious motives rather than unconscious instincts.

Office Hours for Dr. Adams:
- Monday 11:00 – 12:30 & Thursday 2:30 – 4:00
- Prioritized appointments recommended.
UTA Support:
- Appointments available via email scheduling.
- Specific times for Karen, Nikki, and Madhuri.