3A Self: The Psychology of Personality Flashcards

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1
Q

Define personality.

A
  • Personality: characteristic ways in which we think, feel and behave. Personality makes each person unique and different, and are relatively unchanging psychological characteristics and behaviours
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2
Q

Define ‘ID’ in relation to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory.

A
  • ID: represents the innate, raw biological urges which help us to survive, unconscious below the surface of thoughts, feelings, memories and wishes
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3
Q

Define ‘EGO’ in relation to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory.

A
  • EGO: tries to ensure that the needs of ID are met whilst ensuring it is done in a socially acceptable way, is conscious
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4
Q

Define ‘SUPEREGO’ in relation to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory.

A
  • SUPEREGO: The voice of conscious of how we should behave, incorporating the values and morals of society which have been learned by the individual, is preconscious
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5
Q

How does ID, EGO and SUPEREGO play a role in the development of personality?

A
  • Conflict between these parts and the way in which each conflict is resolved determines almost all behaviour and shapes personality.
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6
Q

Define ‘fixation’

A
  • Fixation: an emotional hang up caused by the person being frustrated or overindulged (e.g. freudian example - binge eating or smoking)
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7
Q

Explain the contributions of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory.

A
  • Explains how personality differences occur as a result of development/childhood experiences
  • Explains how people with different personality types will behave
  • Explains defence mechanisms and why people react differently in the same situations
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8
Q

Explain the limitations of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory.

A
  • Not falsifiable
  • Failed to include the impact of the environment
  • Lacked empirical evidence
  • Lacks consideration of culture
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9
Q

Describe the first stage of Freud’s psychosexual stages of development.

A
  • Oral stage (0-1 years): centre of pleasure is the mouth, shown through weaning. If cease to breastfeeding occurs too early or late, fixation can occur where it can be manifested into adult behaviour
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10
Q

Describe the second stage of Freud’s psychosexual stages of development.

A
  • Anal stage (2-3 years): centre of pleasure is the anus, shown through potty training. In this stage, individuals are said to become healthy and well-adjusted
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11
Q

Describe the third stage of Freud’s psychosexual stages of development.

A
  • Phallic Stage (4-5 years): centre of pleasure is the genitals, as the child develops a strong sense of affection for the opposite sex parent.
  • Male resentment towards father = castration anxiety
  • Female resentment towards mother = penis envy
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12
Q

Describe the fourth stage of Freud’s psychosexual stages of development.

A
  • Latency stage (6-12 years): no sexual urges and the child focuses on same-sex friendships and relationships
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13
Q

Describe the fifth stage of Freud’s psychosexual stages of development.

A
  • Genital stage (13-adulthood): centre of pleasure is the genitals, focus of attracting and maintaining a sexual partner, rather than parents
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14
Q

What are humanistic theories based upon in relation to personality?

A
  • Assumption that all people are born good

- Personality is a result of people trying to achieve their potential

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15
Q

Explain Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

A
  • Human motives are categorised into a hierarchy of needs
  • Gratification needs must be met before person moves to the next level, and basic needs must be met before less basic needs
  • Physiological – safety – love and belonging – esteem – self actualisation
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16
Q

Explain Roger’s humanistic theory.

A
  • The basic human motive is actualising tendency, the innate drive to maintain and enhance one’s self
  • Said that people are naturally good (positive, forward-moving, constructive, realistic and trustworthy)
  • Blamed cultural factors for the human capacity for evil
17
Q

What are the contributions of humanistic theories?

A
  • Can explain different traits that make all people ‘human’
  • Show that all people have the same needs and wants
  • People’s personalities change after they acquire certain levels
18
Q

What are the limitations of humanistic theories?

A
  • Doesn’t account for the human capacity for evil
  • Too vague, difficult to investigate scientifically
  • Not all people strive to reach their potential
19
Q

Define trait.

A
  • Trait: unique and enduring characteristics that pre-dispose people to behave in certain ways
20
Q

What are Eyesenck’s three dimensions of personality and four personality types?

A
  • Introversion/Extraversion
  • Neuroticism/Stability
  • Psychoticism
  • Introverted - neurotic
  • Introverted - stable
  • Extraverted - neurotic
  • Extraverted - stable
  • The dimensions can be seen as continuous, and people can vary with a combination of the traits
21
Q

What are McCrae & Costa’s ‘Big Five’ traits?

A
  • Extraversion
  • Neuroticism
  • Agreeableness
  • Conscientiousness
  • Openness to experience
22
Q

What 5 categories did Allport develop from analysing 4500 trait like words?

A
  • Central traits: the building blocks of personality
  • Individual traits: define a person’s unique personal qualities
  • Common traits: characteristics shared by most of a culture
  • Cardinal traits: have a significant impact on everything we do
  • Secondary traits: superficial aspects of a person circumstantial traits
23
Q

What are the contributions of trait theories?

A
  • Traits are stable, enduring characteristics
  • Testable theories
  • Widely accepted and used throughout psychology
24
Q

What are the limitations of trait theories?

A
  • Traits are not personality but predispositions to behave in certain ways
  • Doesn’t tell of nature or differences in personality
  • Fails to take into account unconscious processes, beliefs and motives that may influence personality