L011 - Personality Flashcards
What is Personality ?
Isn’t anything concrete, it is what you think it is.
Stable way of thinking, feeling and acting
Ex. Stable cognitions, emotions and behaviors
Stable = across time, place and situations
Ex. Extroversion or introversion
What is Reification ?
Occurs when abstract constructs [someone having depression, someone being extrovert] are treated as if they are real or tangible
They are not
Extraversion is not likely like your liver or your occipital cortex
It is not located in one place in the brain/body
Cannot be directly measured
Is not objectively defined
We can disagree on the shape of the extroversion
What it is, if it counts or not, how to measure it
What is Phrenology?
Judging a person’s character by reading the “bumps” on one’s head
What is the Gall?
Argued that skull bumps were a sign of specific brain enlargements
What is a Psychograph?
A machine meant to measure the bumps on your head and give a rating for each of the 35 personality categories from the brain map
What are blot tests?
In contrast to objective traits, which are obvious about what is being studied, projective tests were used to uncover hidden thought processes
Examples
Rorschach’s ink blot
Draw a person, person-house-tree - is it has a big head it means xxx, if he has a wide neck it means xxx…
Thematic apperception test
What are the bodily type theories?
Fluid types and Body somatotypes
What is the fluid bodily types theory?
Galen; temperament related to four bodily fluids
Sanguine – excess of blood =vigor and athleticism
Choleric – excess of urine = easily angered
Melancholic – excess of feces = depressed or sad
Phlegmatic – excess of mucus = tired or lazy
What is the body somatotypes bodily type theory?
Endomorph – overweight = jolly, extraverted, slow
Mesomorph – muscular = athletic, aggressive
Ectomorph – skinny = thinking, withdrawn, fearful
What is the psychoanalytic theory?
Freud’s theory
The conscious mind is what you are presently aware of, what you are thinking about right now
The preconscious mind is stored in your memory that you are not presently aware of but can gain access to
Contains:
Ego
Develops in the first year of life
OPERATES ON THE REALITY PRINCIPLE
“Adult” - middle ground
Super ego
Represents one’s conscience and idealized standards
MORALITY PRINCIPLE
“Parent”
The unconscious mind is the part of the mind that we cannot become aware
It contains however, the primary motivations doe all of our actions and feelings – our biological, instinctual drive (like food and sex)and repressed unacceptable thoughts, memories and feelings, especially unresolved conflicts from our early childhood experiences
Contains the Id – the original personality (only part present at birth)
Unconscious
Biological instinctual drives
OPERATES ON THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE
“Child”
What are unhealthy personalities?
Develop when we become too dependent on defense mechanisms
When the id or the supego are too strong (overly hedonic or moralistic)
When the ego is too weak – bad mediator
What are Freud’s psychosexual stages?
The erogenous zone and fixation
What is the erogenous zone stage in Freud’s psychosexual stages?
Area if the body where the Id’s pleasure-seeking psychic energy is focused during a particular stage of psychosexual development
a change in erogenous zones designates the beginning of a new stage - fixation
What is the fixation stage in Freud’s psychosexual stages?
Occurs when a portion of the Id’s pleasure-seeking energy remains in a stage because of excessive gratification or frustration
What are Freud’s psychosocial states of personality development? Hint - sensory input is larger from these areas at specific ages.
Birth-1 and a half years – ORAL = mouth, lips, tongue
Sucking and biting and chewing
1 and a half years-3 years – ANUS
Bowel retention and elimination
3-6 years – GENITALS
Identifying with same sex parent to learn gender roles and sense of morality
6 years-puberty – NO EROGENOUS ZONE
Cognitive and social development
Puberty-adulthood – GENITALS
Development of sexual relationships, moving towards intimate adult relationship
What are the Phallic Stage Conflict types?
Oedipus conflict and Electra conflict
What is the Oedipus conflict?
The little boy becomes sexually attracted to his mother and fears that his father (his rival) will find out and castrate him
What is the Electra conflict?
The little girl is attracted to her father because he has a penis; she wants one of her own and feels inferior without one
What are the three Neo-Freudian theories of personality?
Carl Jung’s Collective unconsciousness
Alfred Adler’s striving for superiority
Karen Horney and the need for security
What is Carl Jung’s theory of Collective unconsciousness?
The collective unconsciousness represents the universal human experiences that we all share
Manifested in archetypes which are images and symbols of all the important themes in the history of humankind (ex. explorer, mother, hero)
What is Alfred Adler’s theory of striving for superiority?
Striving for superiority to overcome the sense of inferiority that we feel as infants given our totally helpless and dependent state.
A healthy person learns to cope with these feelings, becomes competent, and develops a sense of self-esteem
Inferiority complex is the strong feeling of inferiority felt by those who never overcome this initial feeling of inferiority
What is Karen Horney’s theory and the need for security?
Focused on dealing with our need for security, rather than a sense of inferiority
The closest of the three Neo-Freudian theories to being true.
A child’s caregivers must provide a sense of security for a healthy personality to develop or else neurotic personality types will develop
What are archetypes?
Archetypes represent personality styles – each one has a primary desire (ex. To connect with others)
What are notions of collective unconsciousness?
Notions of collective unconsciousness and archetypes are more mystical than scientific and cannot be empirically tested.
According to Karen Horney’s theory and the need for security, what are the three neurotic personality patterns?
Moving toward people
Moving against people
Moving away from people
What is moving towards people according to the three neurotic personality patterns?
A compliant, submissive person
What is moving against people according to the three neurotic personality patterns?
An aggressive, domineering person
What is moving away from people according to the three neurotic personality patterns?
A detached, aloof person
What is the Humanistic approach?
Developed in the 1960s in reaction to the psychoanalytic theories (too deterministic) and behavioural theories (too mechanical)
The humanistic approach emphasizes conscious free will in one’s actions, the uniqueness of the individual person and personal growth.
Developed by Maslow
What did Maslow study?
Studied the lives of very healthy and very creative people to develop his theory of personality
Based his research on the strength of people’s personalities not on their weaknesses.
Came up with the pyramid of hierarchy of needs
What are the needs in Maslow’s pyramid of hierarchy of needs? (Bottom to top - strongest to weakest))
Physiological needs
Need to satisfy hunger and thirst (usually need this to get therapy in the first place)
Safety needs
Need to feel safe, secure and stable (usually need this to get therapy in the first place)
Belongingness and love needs
Need to be loved and to love, to belong and to be accepted
Esteem needs
Need for self-esteem, achievement, competence and independence
Self-actualization need
Needs to live up to one’s fullest unique potential
What is Maslow’s theory of self-actualization?
Characteristics of self-actualized people (who have met all their needs) include;
Accepting themselves, others and the nature for who/what they are
Being independent, democratic and very creative
Having peak experiences, which are experiences of deep insight, wonder, awe or ecstasy
What is Unconditional positive regard in Maslow’s theory of self-actualization?
Acceptance and approval without conditions
Empathy from others, and having others be genuine with respect to their own feelings, is necessary if we are to feel self-actualized
What is Roger’s self-theory?
‘Here’s how you are worthy or how you should be’
Our parents set up conditions of worth. Our parents set up conditions of worth, the behaviours and attitudes for which they would give us positive regard
Meeting conditions of worth continues throughout life, and people develop a self-concept of what others think they should be
Who is Hans Eysenck and what did he argue? What did he argue it was determined by?
Used factor analysis and argued for 3 trait dimensions
Extroversion – introversion
Neuroticism – emotional stability
Psychoticism – impulse control
Eysenck argued that these traits are determined by heredity
What are traits?
Personality traits are individual dimensions, a continuum ranging from extremely low to extremely high
Like a volume of how (i.e.) extroverted you are – not only “I am extroverted” or “I am not extroverted”
Trait theorists use factor analysis and other statistical techniques to tell them the number and the kind of traits in a person
According to Hans Eysenck, what causes extroversion or introversion?
Biological basis – level of cortical arousal (neuron activity)
Introvert have higher levels of arousal than extroverts
According to Hans Eysenck, what causes neuroticism or emotional stability?
People who are high on these dimensions tend to be overly anxious, emotionally unstable and easily upset
This is because of a more reactive sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system
According to Hans Eysenck, what causes psychoticism or impulse control?
Due to either a high level of testosterone or a low level of monoamine oxidase-A
What is the Lexical hypothesis?
A factor analysis of all the adjectives from a dictionary, modern studies converge on the “Big Five” factors
What are the “Big Five”?
OCEAN
Openness
Whether a person is open to new experiences or not
Conscientiousness
Whether a person is disciplined and responsible
Extroversion
Whether a person is sociable, outgoing and affectionate
Agreeableness
Whether a person is cooperative, trusting and helpful
Neuroticism
Whether a person is unstable and prone to negative emotions and insecurity
What is the prevalence of personality disorders?
Prevalence – around 9-15% of the general population (rates much higher in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics)
Prevalence of individual PDs is around 1-5%
What is the prevalence of personality disorders?
Prevalence – around 9-15% of the general population (rates much higher in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics)
Prevalence of individual PDs is around 1-5%
What does comorbidity mean?
The simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions in a patient
What is the prevalence of personality disorders?
Prevalence – around 9-15% of the general population (rates much higher in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics)
Prevalence of individual PDs is around 1-5%
True or false; Is comorbidity among PDs high? Explain
True! Comorbidity among PDs are VERY high.
People with PD have an average of 6 comorbid PDs
Comorbidity with other disorders are also high.
Is prevalence higher in men or women?
Prevalence is generally higher in women although it depends on the personality disorder. Generally just more likely to report it.
Give examples of what PDs are generally higher in men.
Antisocial PD and Narcissistic PD
Give examples of what PDs are generally higher in women.
Dependent, Histrionic and Borderline
What are the general criteria’s for personality disorders?
A pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from expectations of the individual’s culture in at least 2 of the following areas.
Cognition
Affect
Social
Impulse control
This pattern is inflexible and pervasive across different situations
It causes clinically significant distress or impairment
The pattern is stable and it has early onset (traced back to at least adolescence or early adulthood)
Are personality disorders ego-syntonic or ego-dystonic?
EGO-SYNTONIC
most other disorders are ego-dystonic
What does ego-syntonic mean?
People feel their PD symptoms are a part of who they are
Often have no desire to change them
However, they may want to change their consequences (ex. Paranoid PD, losing jobs etc…)
What does ego-dystonic mean?
Symptoms do not feel like a part of the individual
Patients are much more eager to get rid of them.
Ex. Panic disorder
What are the three different cluster in the 10 DSM disorders? Describe them a bit.
Cluster A – Odd / Eccentric (schizophrenic type)
Cluster B – Dramatic / Erratic (Dramatic / loud)
Cluster C – Anxious / Fearful (attachment based)
What are the 10 DSM disorders?
Cluster A – Odd / Eccentric (schizophrenic type)
Paranoid
Schizoid
Schizotypal
Cluster B – Dramatic / Erratic (Dramatic / loud)
Antisocial
Borderline
Histrionic
Narcissistic
Cluster C – Anxious / Fearful (attachment based)
Avoidant
Dependent
Obsessive-compulsive
Describe paranoid PD.
“The world is out to get me” mindset
Pervasive suspiciousness and distrust of others
See self as blameless
Always on guard for perceived attacks and betrayal by others
Hostile world attribution bias
Reads hidden insults in benign remarks
Holds a grudge
Recurrent suspicions about fidelity of partner
Describe Schizoid PD.
“I don’t want anything to do with anyone else”
Pervasive detachment from social relationships
Low pleasure
Flat emotional expressions
Preference for solitary activities
Few friends and family
Indifferent to praise or criticism
Describe Schizotypal PD. Hint - schizophrenia.
Interpersonal problems
Eccentric / odd
Strange beliefs
Unusual perception
Inappropriate effects
Lack of close friends
Extreme social anxiety
Believe they have magical powers or engage in magic rituals
Describe Antisocial PD.
(chronic crime / toxic; psychopaths, chronic criminals)
Violate others’ rights
Aggressive
Impulsive
Illegal behaviors
Irritable / angry
Deceitful
Lack of remorse
Describe Borderline PD.
(unstable, have problems: tend to grow out of it)
Unstable emotions, relationships, identity
Impulsive behavior
Feeling of emptiness
Flash ager
Recurrent of suicidal behaviors, gestures or threats (or self-stimulating behaviors)
Describe Histrionic PD.
(need attention all the time)
Excessive attention-seeking behaviors
Excessive emotionality
Dramatic / theatrical
Center of attention
Uses physical appearance to draw attention
Describe Narcissistic PD.
“I’m the only thing that matters” / “Everybody loves me” / “I don’t care about others”
Grandiosity
Preoccupied with unlimited success
Requires excessive admiration
Sense of entitlement
Exploits others
Believe others envy them
Lacks empathy
Describe avoidant PD.
Extreme social avoidance, introversion, loneliness
Do not want to be alone but fears socializing (being rejected, criticized or embarrassed)
Feels socially inadequate
Describe Obsessive-compulsive PD.
(NOT OCD; obsessed with perfectionism not specific things)
Perfectionism
Excessive concern for order and control
Preoccupied with rules
Rigid and stubborn
Devoted to work
Does not trust others to do work, takes control (if you want something done right…)
What is the psychopathy checklist?
Scale of 0-2 (0 = NO, 2 = YES)
1-40 score, anything above 30 = psychopath!
DO NOT NEED TO REMEMBER BUT;
*Affective/interpersonal components *
Glib and Superficial Charm
Grandiose Self-worth
Pathological Lying
Conning and Manipulative
Lack of Remorse or Guilt
Shallow Affect
Callousness or Lack of Empathy
Failure to Accept Responsibility
Impulsive/antisocial components
Many Short-term Marital Relationships
Promiscuity
Parasitic Lifestyle
Poor Behavioral Controls
Early Behavioral Problems
Lack of Realistic Long-term Goals
Need for Stimulation
Impulsivity
Irresponsibility
Juvenile Delinquency
Revocation of Conditional Release
Criminal Versatility
What are the two factors of psychopathy?
Factor 1 – affective/ interpersonal components
Sometimes referred to as the primary essence of psychopathy
Factor 2 – impulsive/antisocial components (ASPD)
Psychopathy vs. ASPD in prison ratios
Prison prevalence of ASPD – 60-85%
Prison prevalence of psychopathy – 15-25%
What is the Personality disorders diagnostic problems?
Is it ever right to say someone’s personality—who they are as a person—is disordered?
Culture and norms are extremely important (and
both are moving targets)
Extremely high comorbidity are PDs even distinct constructs?
Stigma is a big issue
PDs end up on permanent record
Not otherwise specified (NOS) is most common PD diagnosis
problems with coverage?
Polythetic criteria
e.g. 4/8 symptoms required for a PD means 2 people could have same PD but share no symptoms!
