Chapter 8 Flashcards
What is personailty
An individuals characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (persists over time)(is genetic cannot be changed, but behaviors can)
What is continuous distributions
In which characteristics can go from low to high, with all different intermediate values possible. One does not simply have the trait or not
What is lexical hypothesis
States that all important personality characteristics should be reflected in the language that we use to describe others; freindly sociable (Used by Allport and Odbert to reduce the number of traits) (used the dictionary)
What is factor analysis
A statistical technique for grouping similar things together according to how highly they are associated (helped to determine the five factor model)
What are the personality traits of the five factor model
Openness- the tendency to appreciate nee art, ideas, values, feelings and behaviors
Conscientious ness- the tendency to be careful, on-time, follow rules, and be hardworking
Extroversion- the tendency to be talkative, sociable, and to enjoy others
Agreeableness- the tendency to agree and go along with others rather than assert ones own opinions and choices
Neuroticism- the tendency to frequently experience negative emotions such as anger, worry, and sadness, as well as being interpersonal sensitive
What are facets
Broad personality traits can be broken down into narrower facets or aspects of a trait. Ex extraversion has several facets, sociability, dominance, risk taking, etc.
What is the hexco model
Created by Ashton and Lee, similar to the big five but adds honesty-humility as a sixth dimension of personality
What is the person situation debate
A historical debate about the relative power of personality traits as compared to situation influences on behavior
What are Sigmund Freuds 8 defense mechanisms
Repression
Regression
Reaction formation
Projection
Rationalization
Displacement
Sublimation
Denial
What is the difference between repression and regression
Repression- the first defense mechanism discovered by Freud. A mechanism employed by the ego to keep disturbing/threatening thoughts from becoming conscious. Not successful long term as it can create anxiety
Regression- retreating to a more infantile psychosexual stage. When we are troubled or frightened, our behaviors often become more childish or primitive. Ex. Teenagers may giggle uncontrollably when introduced to a social situation involving the opposite sex
What is the difference between reaction formation and projection
Reaction formation- switching unacceptable impulses into the opposites. Going beyond denial and behaving in the opposite of what they think/feel. Ex. Prejudice against homosexuals yo make a defense against their own homosexual feelings. adapting a harsh anti-homosexual attitude helps convince them of their heterosexuality
Projection- disguising ones own threatening impulses by attributing them to others. Ex the their thinks everyone else is a thief
What is the difference between rationalization and denail
Rationalization- offering self-justifying explanations in place of the real more threatening reasons for one’s actions. Ex. An alcoholic says she drinks with her friends “just to be sociable”, ignoring that she has a problem
Denial-refusing to believe or even perceive painful realities. Denial involves blocking external events from awareness. Ex. A partner denies evidence of their loved ones affair, even when right in front of them.
What is the difference between displacement and sublimation
Displacement- the redirection of an impulse (usually aggressive but can be sexual) onto a powerless substitute. Target can be a person or object; always socially unacceptable. Ex. Someone frustrated with their boss may go home and beat a family member
Sublimation- similar to displacement, but takes place when we manage to displace our emotions into a constructive , rather than destructive, activity; socially acceptable. Ex. Using sports to relieve stress
What is reflexivity
The idea that the self reflects back onto itself (made famous by William james)
Who was Charles Taylor
Described the self as a reflective project; we often try to manage, discipline, refine, improve, and develop the self
What is the self as a social actor
The sense of self as an embodies actor whose social performances may be constructed in terms of more or less consistent self-ascribed traits and social roles (personality) (outside personality)
What is the self as a motivated agent
The sense of self as an intentional force that strives to achieve goals, plans, values, and projects ( inner wants and desires)
What is the self as autobiographical author
The sense of the self as a story teller ego reconstructs the past and imagines the future in order to articulate an integrative narrative that provides life with some measure of temporal continuity and purpose (how the self has and will develop)
What are Sigmund Freud structures of the self
Ego- executive structure, manages the role world and the id’s and superegos desires
Id- innate primitive desires, no regard for consequences
Superego- restrictive and punishing, always worries about consequences and society
What is social reputation
The traits and social roles that others attribute to an actor. Actors also have their own conceptions of what they imagine their respective social reputations are in the eyes of others
What is theory of mind
Children’s growing understanding of the mental states that affect people’s behavior (typically occurs by age 4)
What is the age 5-to-7 shift
Cognitive and social changes that occur in the early elementary school years that result in the child’s developing a more purposeful, playful, and goal-oriented approach to life, setting the stage for the emergence of the self as a motivated agent
What is self esteem
The extend to which a person feels that they are worthy and good. The success or failure that the motivated agent experiences in pursuit of valued goals is a strong determinant of self-esteem
What is identity
According to Erik Eriksons concept, identity us a developmental task for late adolescence a d young adulthood. Involves exploring alternative roles, values, goals, and relationships and eventually committing to a realistic agenda for life that productively situates a person in the adult world
