Study Guide Sousas Test

Personality is an individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.
Personality is relatively consistent over time and across situations.
Personality can adapt to different environments.

Psychodynamic theories emphasize unconscious processes and early childhood experiences.
Humanistic theories focus on personal growth, self-concept, and free will.
Trait theories examine stable characteristics that differ among individuals.
Social-cognitive theories highlight interaction between traits, thinking, and environment.
These perspectives explain both consistency and differences in behavior.

Sigmund Freud treated hysteria through talking about hidden memories.
He developed the concept of the unconscious mind (hidden thoughts, wishes, memories).
Personality is shaped by the conflict between unconscious drives and conscious control.

Defense mechanisms are unconscious distortions of reality used to reduce anxiety.
Repression pushes distressing thoughts out of awareness.
Denial refuses to accept reality.
Projection attributes one’s own thoughts to others.
Regression involves reverting to childlike behavior.
Reaction formation expresses the opposite of true feelings.
Rationalization creates logical excuses for behavior.

Neo-Freudians accepted the unconscious and importance of childhood experiences.
They rejected Freud’s strong emphasis on sexual drives.
Carl Jung proposed the collective unconscious and archetypes.
Alfred Adler introduced the inferiority complex and striving for superiority.
Karen Horney emphasized social and cultural influences and criticized Freud.
Modern psychologists accept the unconscious but question Freud’s methods and lack of scientific testing.

Projective tests use ambiguous stimuli to reveal unconscious thoughts.
Examples include the Rorschach Inkblot Test and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).
These tests are criticized for low reliability, low validity, and subjective interpretation.

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow focused on healthy individuals and personal growth.
Humanistic theory emphasizes self-actualization (reaching full potential).
Self-concept is how individuals perceive and evaluate themselves.
Congruence leads to a healthy personality (alignment of self-concept and experience).
Incongruence leads to anxiety and dissatisfaction.
Unconditional positive regard supports healthy development.
Humanistic psychology emphasizes free will, personal choice, and self-improvement.
Criticisms include a lack of scientific measurement and being overly optimistic.