Chapter 2

Question 0

Summarize the criticisms of psychodynamic theories in general

Answer 0

• violating principle of falsifiability
• over generalizing from atypical patients to everyone
• basing theories on the unreliable memories & retrospective accounts of adults, which can create an illusion of casualty

Question 1

Discuss the challenges to psychoanalytic theory made by Jung and by the object-relations school

Answer 1

Jung believed ppl share a collective unconscious that contains universal memories and images or archetypes
Object-relations school: importance of the first 2 yrs of life rather than Oedipal phase; babies relationships w/ their mothers rather than sexual needs

Question 2

Distinguish between scientific and unscientific personality tests

Answer 2

-scientific personality tests are more valid & useful in research; heavily rely on inventories to identify & study personality traits & disorders

Question 3

Summarize the study of core personality characteristics & describe the “big 5”

Answer 3

-core personality traits are measured by objective tests= questionnaires about needs, values, interests, emotional problems & typical ways of responding to situations
THE BIG 5
1.extroversion vs introversion
2.neuroticism ( - emotionality) vs emotional stability
3.agreeableness vs antagonism
4.conscientiousness vs impulsiveness
5.openness to experience vs resistance to new experience

Question 4

Discuss how genes & environment affect temperament & its consistency

Answer 4

Psychologist recognize that genes are account for about 1/2 of the variation of human traits
Environment & experience account for other 1/2

Question 5

Explain how heritability is estimated & discuss some of the problems that arise from it

Answer 5

• heritability is estimated by conducting heritability studies of twins & adopted individuals; data from these tests show that 20-50% of most traits are inherited
• problems: genetic predisposition doesn’t imply genetic inevitability ; almost all psychologists who study personality regard bio & experiences as influences

Question 6

Describe social cognitive learning approach to personality

Answer 6

• personality results from the interaction of the environment and aspects of the individual, in a pattern of reciprocal determinism (interaction between aspects of environment and individual in forming personality traits) (Situational influences on your behavior and beliefs, rewarding some behaviors and extinguishing others.)

Question 7

Discuss the relative influence of parents and peers on a child’s personality

Answer 7

• There is little relation between what parents do and how their children turn out. But can impact the children’s interests, self-esteem, religious views, and other values.
• Peers groups influence can be more powerful than parents influence on a child’s personality development

Question 8

Describe two basic types of culture and give some examples of how cultural norms influence behavior

Answer 8

• Individualist cultures: the independence of the individual often takes precedence over the needs of a group
• Collectivist culture: group harmony often takes precedence over the wishes of the individual
• Altruistic children tend to come from cultures in which their families assign them many tasks that contribute to the family’s well-being or economic survival

Question 9

Summarize the principles of humanistic psychology proposed by Maslow, Rogers, and May

Answer 9

• Maslow introduced the concepts of peak experiences and self-actualization (Reach one’s full potential)
• Rogers stressed the importance of unconditional positive regard in creating a fully functioning person.
• May brought existentialism which emphasizes some of the inherent challenges of human existence that results from having free will. (Inevitable problems and challenges of human existence. Such as the meaning of life)