PERSONALITY

Question 1

what is personality?

Answer 1

the relative stable characteristics that differentiate one person from another, demonstrated in the consistent and predictable way in which people behave in situations over extended periods of time

Question 2

what is Freud’s psychoanalytical theory of personality?

Answer 2

that human behaviour as the result of the interactions between the id, ego and superego

Question 3

what did Freud think were the 3 levels of awareness?

Answer 3

conscious mind (everyone sees this), the preconscious mind (things you can bring to the conscious mind if you wanted) and the unconscious mind

Question 4

what is the ‘id’?

Answer 4

the thing you want to do that gives pleasure and avoids pain

Question 5

what is the ‘ego’?

Answer 5

the balance of the id and the superego. its rationality and considers consequences of behaviour

Question 6

what is the ‘superego’?

Answer 6

the morality comas that stops us from gratifying every whim because they can be immoral

Question 7

when does Freud suggest that defence mechanisms appear?

Answer 7

when there is tension between the id and the superego

Question 8

what are some examples of defence mechanisms?

Answer 8

regression
projection
denial
reaction formation
displacement
sublimation
regression

Question 9

what is regression?

Answer 9

removing threatening thoughts from awareness, psychologically going back in time to a period where the person felt safer

Question 10

what is projection?

Answer 10

an attribution of unacceptable impulses to others

Question 11

what is denial?

Answer 11

refusing to recognise a threatening situation or thought

Question 12

what is reaction formation?

Answer 12

expressing the opposite of the disturbing ideas

Question 13

what is displacement?

Answer 13

redirecting a negative emotion from its original source to a less threatening recipient

Question 14

what is sublimation?

Answer 14

channelling of impulses to socially acceptable outlets

Question 15

what is regression?

Answer 15

returning to a less mature, anxiety-reducing behaviour

Question 16

How did Freud believe personality developed?

Answer 16

during the first few years of life and its rooted in unresolved conflicts of early childhood

Question 17

what criticism did freud get about personality development theory?

Answer 17

lack of scientific data
Jung said it focussed too much on childhood and it can also be developed by attitudes towards the future
Alfred Adler also built off Freuds work

Question 18

How did Jung contribute to the personality development theory?

Answer 18

he suggested people are extroverts or introverts

he also suggested there is a level of conscious which is genetically inherited called the collective unconscious

Question 19

how did Alfred Adler contribute to the personality development theory?

Answer 19

he believed we have an innate drive for self-improvement and superiorly so we build ourselves as a result of wanting to be more like others

Question 20

How did Maslow and Rogers contribute to the personality theory?

Answer 20

they believed people have free will and want to do good so actually what has happened to you shapes personality less than the perception of what has happened.

Question 21

What did Carl rogers suggest that ‘self-concept’ was?

Answer 21

our own perception of ourselves and comprises of self-image, self-esteem and ideal self

Question 22

describe Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Answer 22

he suggested that self actualisation is the realisation of a persons potential and we can only reach it if our basic needs are met (physiologically, safety, love/belonging) and then we can develop self-esteem and then self-actualisation

Question 23

what is the humanistic theory of personality?

Answer 23

a perspective that emphasizes looking at the whole individual and stresses concepts such as free will, self-efficacy, and self-actualization. Rather than concentrating on dysfunction

Question 24

what are trait theories?

Answer 24

Theories which try to identify the most basic enduring dimensions in which people differ from one another

Question 25

describe what Jung thought extroverts were?

Answer 25

sociable and crave excitement and change, and thus can become bored easily. They tend to be carefree, optimistic and impulsive. They are more likely to take risks and be thrill seekers.

Question 26

describe what Jung thought introverts were?

Answer 26

Quiet and reserved. They are already over-aroused and shun sensation and stimulation. Introverts are reserved, plan their actions and control their emotions. They tend to be serious, reliable and pessimistic

Question 27

what is Eysencks 3-factor theory?

Answer 27

that the 3 fundamental factors to determine personality are…

introversion vs extroversion

emotional stability vs neuroticism

impulse control vs psychosis

Question 28

what is neuroticism?

Answer 28

a tendency toward anxiety, depression, self-doubt, and other negative feelings.

Question 29

what is psychoticism?

Answer 29

characterized by aggression, impulsivity, aloofness, and antisocial behavior, indicating a susceptibility to psychosis and psychopathic disorders

Question 30

What did Cattel argue?

Answer 30

that Eysencks theory needed more factors. he formed 16 personality factors

Question 31

What formed the ‘Big 5 Personality Factors’?

Answer 31

Cattells work and twin studies

Question 32

what are the big 5 personality factors?

Answer 32

openess
conscisness
extraversion
agreeableness
neuroticism

Question 33

what are some criticisms of the big 5 personality factors?

Answer 33

its a poor predicted of future behaviour

it doesn’t comment on personality development

Question 34

what are social-cognitive theories of personality?

Answer 34

the influence of individual experiences, the actions of others, and environmental factors

Question 35

what are objective personality tests?

Answer 35

tests which rely on an individuals personal response e.g. 16PF, NEO Personality Inventory

Question 36

what are projective personality tests?

Answer 36

use ambitious stimuli to reveal inner aspects of an individual’s personality e.g. Rorschach test and Thematic Apperception Test

Question 37

does personality affect health?

Answer 37

optimism, conscientiousness and openness are associated with better health whilst negativism is associated with decreased lifespan and increased incidence of diagnosis of poor health

Question 38

what are the criteria for personality disorders?

Answer 38

long-term, stable behaviour that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture and it negative interferes with relationships and work

Question 39

what is the prevalence of personality disorders?

Answer 39

1/5

Question 40

how can personality disorders affect life?

Answer 40

they can make relationships challenging, work harder, more likely to get into trouble, unable to control feelings and actions, harder to listen and co-operate with others, worse physical functioning, development of other mental health problems

Question 41

what are the 3 types of personality disorders?

Answer 41

clusters A, B and C

Question 42

what are cluster A personality disorders?

Answer 42

odd or eccentric

suspicious behaviour, paranoia, schizoid, not trusting and antisocial

Question 43

what are cluster B personality disorders?

Answer 43

Dramatic, emotional and erratic

emotional and impulsive

Question 44

what are cluster C personality disorders?

Answer 44

anxious and fearful

avoidant behaviour, dependant on others, obsessive compulsive

Question 45

what are some causes of personality disorders?

Answer 45

upbringing difficulties i.e. sexual abuse or violence in families

early problems e.g. severe aggression or disobedience

brain problems

Question 46

what are some triggers for personality disorders?

Answer 46

using drugs, alcohol
money problems
relationship problems
mental health issues
significant events
stress
loss of a loved one