Lecture 2 Flashcards
What is a “good” theory in personality psych?
Should be comprehensive, testable, provide heuristic valve,. Be parsimonious (not influenced ) and be compatible withother theories,
What is reliability in personality measures?
Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure.
A reliable personality measure should yield the same results upon testing.
What is the difference between experimental and correlational research methods?
Experimental involves manipulating variables to determine correlational examines relationships between variables without manipulation.
What is “test data” in descriptive methods?
Involves assessing abilities, cognitions, motivations, or behaviors, by observing in a test situation, which can include written, physical, experimental, or psychological tests.
What did Megargee’s 1969 study on dominance demonstrate?
Study found that in co-ed pairs, even if the female was high in dominance and the male was low, the male still typically assumed leadership roles.
What is the significance of “projective techniques” in test data?
Projective techniques, such as the Rorschach test, reveal unconscious aspects of a persons personality by interpreting their perception of ambiguous stimuli (such as inkblots; vague pictures or scenarios)
What are Freud’s two basic instincts?
- Life instinct (Eros): related to self-preservation and sexual desires
- Death instinct (Thanatos): related to aggression and destruction.
What is the concept of “psychological determinism” according to Freud?
It is the idea that all thoughts, feelings, and actions are driven by unconscious motives, primarily derived from biological drives like sex and aggression.
What is a Freudian Slip?
It is an unintentional error in speech, though to be caused by the intrusion of unconscious thoughts into conscious expression.
What are the levels of consciousness in Freud’s model?
Freud’s levels of consciousness are
- Conscious: current awareness
- Pre-conscious: easily accessible but not currently in awareness
- Unconscious: repressed thoughts, desires, and instincts
What are the three parts of Freud’s structural model of personality?
- Id : The source of instructual drives, following the pleasure principle
- Ego: The rational part, following the reality principle
- Superego: The moral conscience, internalizing societal rules
What is the “talking cure”?
Developed by Freud and Breuer, is a therapeutic technique where patients discuss their symptoms to uncover repressed psychological conflicts, leading to catharsis (release emotion)and symptom relief.
What are defense mechanisms in frauds theory?
Defense mechanisms are un conscious strategies used by the ego to protect against anxiety by distorting reality. Eg. Repression, denial, and projection
What are Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Development ?
- Oral Stage (0-18 months)
- Anal Stage (18 months - 3 years)
- Phallic Stage (3-6 years)
- Latency Stage (6 years - puberty)
- Genitalia Stage (puberty - adulthood)
Freud believed that fixation occurs when there is an unresolved conflict during a stage, leading to certain personality traits or behaviors in adulthood.
What does LOTS of data stand for in personality research?
L-data, Life outcome date
O-data, Observer report data
T-data, Test data
S-data, Self-report data
What is the case study method in personality research?
An intensive examination of an individual or small group, often using interviews, the history records, and personal documents.
What are some observable behaviors used to measure shyness?
Lack of eye contact, pacing, trembling, or shuttle food, excessive hand movements, stammering speech, tense facial muscles
How can physiological measures assess shyness?
Include monitoring heart rate, skin conductance, cortisol levels, and brain activity during social interactions.
What is test-retest reliability?
It refers to the consistency of a tests results when administered on different occasions
What is face validity?
It refers to whether a test appears, on the surface, to measure what it claims to measure. Eg. Direct questions about shyness “I find it difficult to talk to strangers”
What is face validity?
It refers to whether a test appears, on the surface, to measure what it claims to measure. Eg. Direct questions about shyness “I find it difficult to talk to strangers”
What is predictive validity?
Is the extent to which a test predicts outcomes or behaviors that it should theoretically be related to. Eg. If SAT scores are shown to correlate with GPA, then SAT has good predictive validity in that context.
What is denial?
- Refusing to acknowledge a painful or uncomfortable reality
- Convincing oneself that a negative event did not occur or isn’t serious
- Example: A person diagnosed with a serious illness insisting they are perfectly healthy
What is displacement?
Redirecting emotions from a threatening target to a safer substitute
Example: Yelling at a family member after having a bad day at work
What is projection?
- Attributing one’s own unacceptable qualities or feelings to someone else
- Example: Accusing others of being dishonest when you struggle with honesty
