Chapter 6 Flashcards
What is “personality”?
It is the internal characteristics, traits, attitudes and behaviours that distinguish one individual from another
Nature of Personality( 3 distinct characteristics of personality)
- is consistent
- can change
- reflects individual differences
Personality Theories
- the trait theory of personality
- Freudian theory
-Neo-Freudian theory
Trait theory of personality
The trait theory of personality suggests that people have certain basic traits, and it is the strength and
intensity of those traits that account for personality differences.
Trait theory suggests that individual personalities are composed of broad dispositions which are:
a) cardinal disposition: Dominant
b) Central disposition: Occur in most individuals
c) Secondary disposition: Occur in certain situations
Freudian theory
Human motives are driven by unconscious needs that are biological in nature e.g hunger , sex, thirst
Freud’s Theory elements
Id, Ego, superego
ID
The id is the primitive and instinctual part of the
mind that contains sexual and aggressive drives
and hidden memories
Ego
The ego is the realistic part that mediates between
the desires of the id and the super-ego. It seeks to satisfy the needs of the id by weighing up the benefits and costs before acting to satisfy the need.
Superego
The super-ego operates as a moral conscience. Begins at a young age.
Cardinal Traits
- Traits are rare and dominating, usually developing later in life
- They tend to define a person to such an extent that their names become synonymous with their
personality - Narcissist, Don Juan, Machiavellian (cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous
Central Traits
- These general characteristics form basic personality foundations
- These traits are not as dominating as cardinal traits, they describe the major characteristics you might use
to describe another person - Descriptions such as “intelligent,” “honest,” “shy,” and “anxious” are considered central traits
Secondary Traits
Secondary traits are sometimes related to attitudes or preferences
* They often appear only in certain situations or under specific circumstances. Some examples include public
speaking anxiety or impatience while waiting in line
Neo-Freudian theory
Opposite of the Freudian theory
* Social relationships are crucial to the development of the human personality
“Big Five” theory/ Five factor theory
- Agreeableness
Level of cooperation and caring for others - Conscientiousness
Level of thoughtfulness and structure - Extraversion
Level of socialness and emotional expressiveness - Neuroticism
Level of mood stability and emotional resilience - Openness
Level of adventure and creativity
