Chapter 11 Flashcards
What are traits in personality?
Traits are adjectives describing someone’s personality, such as “kind” or “organized.” A collection of traits forms broader personality categories.
Example: Being “punctual” and “dependable” contributes to the conscientiousness trait.
What is personality?
Personality is the distinctive and characteristic patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior that define an individual’s interaction with the environment.
What are the four main personality theories?
- Psychoanalytic: Unconscious motivations drive behavior.
- Behaviorist: Environment shapes behavior through learning.
- Cognitive: Personality arises from how individuals process information.
- Humanistic: Focuses on self-actualization and personal growth.
What are Freud’s three components of personality?
- Id: Seeks immediate gratification.
- Ego: Mediates between id and reality.
- Superego: Represents moral conscience.
Example: The id wants to eat cake immediately, but the superego reminds you of your diet, while the ego suggests having a small slice later.
What are the Big Five personality traits?
- Openness: Curious, creative, adventurous.
Example: Enjoys trying new cuisines. - Conscientiousness: Organized, dependable.
Example: Always plans tasks ahead. - Extraversion: Outgoing, sociable.
Example: Thrives at networking events. - Agreeableness: Kind, trusting.
Example: Volunteers to help others. - Neuroticism: Anxious, moody.
Example: Worries excessively about minor problems.
How is personality measured?
Through tools like the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), which uses 550 statements that requires responses such as true, false, or cannot say. This is to evaluate traits through the statements about attitudes, emotional reactions, and experiences.
What are Freud’s psychosexual stages of personality development?
Oral stage: Focus on mouth (birth to 1 year).
Anal stage: Focus on toilet training (1–3 years).
Phallic stage: Focus on genitals (3–6 years).
Latency period: Social and intellectual skills develop (6–12 years).
Genital stage: Sexual maturity and relationships develop (12+ years).
What is a defense mechanism?
Unconscious strategies used to protect oneself from anxiety or unpleasant emotions.
List some common defense mechanisms and examples.
Denial: Refusing to accept reality.
Example: Ignoring a serious medical diagnosis.
Repression: Suppressing distressing memories.
Example: Forgetting a traumatic childhood event.
Projection: Attributing personal feelings to others.
Example: Accusing someone else of being angry when you’re upset.
Rationalization: Justifying behavior with logical reasons.
Example: Claiming bad grades were due to an “unfair” teacher.
Regression: Reverting to immature behavior.
Example: Throwing a tantrum during an argument.
What is Bandura’s theory of reciprocal determinism?
Reciprocal determinism suggests behavior is influenced by:
External factors: Rewards and punishments.
Internal factors: Beliefs, thoughts, and expectations.
Example: A student studies harder after receiving praise for good grades (external) and believing they can excel (internal).
What is the core concept of Carl Rogers’ humanistic theory?
The self-actualizing tendency, which is the innate drive to grow, mature, and fulfill one’s potential.
How does the humanistic approach differ from other theories?
It focuses on personal growth, subjective experiences, and the individual’s drive to achieve their potential rather than unconscious drives or learned behaviors.
