Personality part 2 Flashcards
What is psychic energy in Freud’s theory?
The constant energy driving human behavior.
Redirected throughout life into different activities.
Example: A child’s playful creativity may later become artistic design.
What are the two basic instincts according to Freud?
Eros (life instinct): Desire for pleasure, survival, and reproduction.
Example: Eating or seeking companionship.
Thanatos (death instinct): Drive towards aggression or destruction.
Example: Risk-taking or destructive behaviors.
What are the three levels of consciousness?
Conscious: What you are currently aware of (e.g., your current thoughts).
Preconscious: Memories you’re not thinking about now but can recall.
Example: Your last vacation.
Unconscious: Hidden thoughts or desires that affect behavior.
Example: Repressed trauma.
What is psychic determinism?
The idea that all thoughts, feelings, and actions are driven by unconscious motivations.
Example: Freudian slips (accidentally calling your partner by an ex’s name).
Calling your partner by an ex’s name may reflect unresolved feelings or memories buried in your unconscious.
What is the id?
The pleasure-seeking part of the mind (primitive and instinctive).
Example: A child demanding candy immediately.
Taking the money you find to achieve immediate satisfaction.
What is the ego?
Balances the id’s desires with reality using logic and planning.
Example: Wanting a phone but saving money before buying it.
Thinking about the money you found and if its really worth it or not.
What is the superego?
Represents internalized rules and morals (society’s standards).
Example: Feeling guilty after lying or proud after doing something good.
Giving the money back to the owner.
How do the id, ego, and superego interact?
The id wants pleasure.
The ego tries to satisfy the id within reality’s limits.
The superego enforces moral values.
Example: Seeing money fall from someone’s pocket → The id says “take it,” the superego says “return it,” and the ego finds a compromise.
What are the three types of anxiety (Freud)?
Objective anxiety: Fear of real external threats.
Example: Fear of a dangerous dog.
Neurotic anxiety: Conflict between the id and ego.
Example: Wanting to quit your job impulsively but holding back.
Moral anxiety: Guilt from not meeting moral standards.
Example: Feeling bad about cheating on a test.
What are defense mechanisms?
Unconscious strategies used by the ego to reduce anxiety and protect self-esteem.
They help us cope with life’s challenges but can harm us if overused. For example, denial can prevent personal growth if you avoid facing problems.
What is repression?
Blocking unpleasant memories or desires.
Example: Forgetting a traumatic breakup.
What is denial?
Refusing to accept reality.
Example: Denying a partner’s cheating despite evidence.
What is displacement?
Redirecting emotions to a safer target.
Example: Yelling at a friend after a bad day at work.
What is rationalization?
Justifying unacceptable behavior with acceptable reasons.
Example: “I failed the test because it was unfair.”
What is reaction formation?
Acting opposite to your actual feelings.
Example: Being overly kind to someone you dislike.
What is projection?
Attributing your own feelings to others.
Example: Accusing someone of being angry when you are.
What is sublimation?
Channeling unacceptable impulses into acceptable activities.
Example: Going for a run to release anger instead of fighting.
When can defense mechanisms become harmful?
When they limit productivity or harm social relationships.
Example: Chronic denial prevents growth and problem-solving.
What are the five psychosexual stages of development?
Oral Stage (Birth-18m)
Focus: Mouth as the center of pleasure (sucking, biting).
Conflict: Weaning from breastfeeding/bottle.
Fixation if unresolved: Nail-biting, overeating, smoking, dependency issues.
Anal Stage (18m-3y)
Focus: Control over elimination (toilet training).
Conflict: Learning self-control vs. messiness.
Fixation if unresolved:
Too strict training → Anal-retentive (overly neat, controlling).
Too lenient training → Anal-expulsive (messy, careless).
Phallic Stage (3-5y)
Focus: Awareness of genitals, gender identity.
Conflict: Oedipus Complex (boys) / Electra Complex (girls).
Resolution: Identifying with same-sex parent.
Fixation if unresolved: Relationship issues, jealousy, gender identity struggles.
Latency Stage (6y-puberty)
Focus: Resting phase; focus on school, hobbies, and friendships.
Conflict: No major sexual conflicts; developing social skills.
Fixation: None—this stage is a break from psychosexual development.
Genital Stage (Puberty+)
Focus: Sexual awakening; forming mature relationships.
Conflict: Balancing love, work, and social life.
Resolution: If previous stages were resolved, a person forms healthy relationships.
Fixation if unresolved: Relationship issues, lack of emotional balance.
What problems can happen if someone gets stuck in the oral or anal stages?
Oral fixation: Overuses the mouth for comfort. Examples: biting nails, overeating, smoking, or becoming too dependent or aggressive.
Anal fixation: Problems with control:
Anal-retentive: Overly neat, rigid, controlling, or perfectionist.
Anal-expulsive: Messy, disorganized, and laid-back.
What is the Oedipus complex, and how is it resolved?
Boys: Unconscious desire for mother; fear of father (castration anxiety).
Resolution: Identifying with the father and adopting masculine traits.
How does Freud describe the latency and genital stages?
Latency (6y-puberty): Sexual energy is dormant. Focus on school, friendships, and hobbies.
Genital (puberty+): Sexual maturity, with interest in healthy relationships.
What is free association, and how does it reveal the unconscious?
Technique where the patient says whatever comes to mind.
Analyst identifies patterns or hidden conflicts linked to the unconscious.
What is the difference between manifest and latent content in dreams?
Manifest content: What you remember from the dream.
Latent content: The hidden meaning or repressed desire the dream symbolizes.
What are projective techniques, and give an example?
Ambiguous stimuli used to reveal hidden thoughts.
Example: Rorschach inkblot test—how a person interprets inkblots reflects their personality.
What are Freud’s major contributions to psychology?
Introduced the talking cure (basis of modern therapy).
Emphasized the role of the unconscious mind.
Developed the idea of defense mechanisms.
What are common criticisms of Freud’s work?
Lack of scientific support: Based on case studies, not experiments.
Limited generalizability: Studies focused on neurotic, wealthy women.
Overemphasis on sexuality in development.
Gender bias: Negative view of women (e.g., “penis envy”).
What is Freud’s legacy despite criticisms?
Provided the foundation for modern psychotherapy.
Concepts like the unconscious, defense mechanisms, and the talking cure still influence psychology today.
What is the Neo-Analytic Movement?
A revision of Freud’s theory that focuses more on relationships, childhood development, and personality conflicts rather than just unconscious drives.
Example: Instead of focusing on hidden sexual desires, Neo-Analytic theorists explore how childhood friendships shape adult personality.
How did the Neo-Analytic Movement change Freud’s theory?
It reduced the focus on sex and aggression and emphasized emotions, childhood experiences, and relationships in personality development.
Example: Modern therapists explore how family dynamics influence self-esteem rather than focusing on repressed sexual urges.
What is Elizabeth Loftus’ view on repressed memories?
Memory is reconstructive, meaning recovered memories may be false and influenced by therapy, self-help books, or suggestive questioning.
Example: A person undergoing hypnosis recalls childhood abuse, but later evidence suggests the memory was implanted by suggestive questioning.
What are the two types of unconscious processes in modern psychology?
Unconscious cognition: Processing information without awareness.
Example: Learning to ride a bike becomes automatic over time.
Unconscious motivation: Hidden desires influencing behavior.
Example: Someone afraid of commitment sabotages relationships without realizing why.
What is Erik Erikson’s Ego Psychology?
A theory that personality develops throughout life in 8 stages, each involving a psychological conflict that must be resolved.
Example: A teenager struggling with their identity tries different hairstyles, clothing, and friend groups to find their sense of self.
What is the first stage in Erikson’s theory?
Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1 year): Babies learn to trust caregivers who provide consistent care.
Example: A baby with loving, responsive parents grows up feeling safe; one with neglectful parents may develop trust issues.
What is the main conflict during adolescence in Erikson’s stages?
Identity vs. Role Confusion: Teens explore different roles to develop a sense of identity or struggle with uncertainty about who they are.
Example: A teen joins various clubs and experiments with different social groups before deciding they are passionate about music.
What are Erikson’s first four stages of development, and what happens in each?
Infancy (0-1) – Trust vs. Mistrust
Reliable caregivers → Trust; Unreliable → Mistrust.
Toddlerhood (2-3) – Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt
Learning self-control (toilet training).
Criticism → Doubt in abilities.
Preschool (3-5) – Initiative vs. Guilt
Curiosity & exploring the world.
Too much punishment → Guilt.
Grade School (6-11) – Industry vs. Inferiority
Mastering skills (school, sports).
Repeated failure or criticism → Inferiority.
What are Erikson’s later stages of development, and what happens in each?
- Adolescence (12-20) – Identity vs. Role Confusion
“Who am I?” Teens explore values and goals.
Lack of direction → Confusion.
Young Adulthood (20s) – Intimacy vs. Isolation
Seeking deep relationships.
Fear of commitment → Isolation.
Middle Age (40s-60s) – Generativity vs. Stagnation
Giving back (mentoring, parenting, career).
Self-centeredness → Stagnation.
Old Age (60+) – Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Looking back at life.
Satisfaction → Wisdom; Regret → Despair.
What does Karen Horney’s feminist psychoanalysis argue?
She rejected Freud’s ‘penis envy’ and argued that gender roles and social power shape personality more than biology.
Example: Women’s anxiety about success in male-dominated fields comes from societal expectations, not biological inferiority.
What is the focus of Object Relations Theory?
Focuses on relationships, not instincts.
Early bonds (especially with caregivers) shape personality.
Internalized relationships guide future interactions.
Example: A child with a loving mother internalizes “people are trustworthy,” leading to secure relationships in adulthood.
What are the 3 attachment styles in Object Relations Theory? Mary Ainsworth
Secure: Trust in relationships.
Example: A person in a relationship feels comfortable expressing their needs.
Anxious: Fear of abandonment.
Example: Someone constantly texts their partner, fearing they will leave.
Avoidant: Fear of intimacy.
Example: A person pulls away emotionally when their partner gets too close.
Can childhood attachment styles change in adulthood?
Yes, later experiences can reshape attachment patterns and relationship behaviors.
Example: A child with avoidant attachment may develop secure attachment after a loving relationship in adulthood.
What does Object Relations Theory say about internalizing relationships?
We store mental images of relationships.
These images affect how we interact with people later.
Example: If a child’s parent was neglectful, they may struggle to trust partners as an adult.
What is attachment theory?
Proposed by John Bowlby.
Explains how early relationships shape future relationships.
A secure bond with a caregiver leads to healthier social relationships.
Example: A child who trusts their parent to return will likely develop trusting relationships as an adult.
What are motives?
Internal states that push us toward goals. They create tension (e.g., hunger makes us look for food). Can be conscious or unconscious.
Example: A student studies hard because they feel the need for achievement.
How do motives influence behavior?
They create a need or tension that drives action to satisfy them (e.g., thirst leads to drinking water).
Example: If someone feels lonely (social need), they might join a club or reach out to friends.
Why are motives in the “intrapsychic domain”? (deals with internal mental processes of personality, often those that operate below conscious awareness)
They are internal needs, often unconscious, and projective tests like TAT help reveal them.
Example: A person might think they just enjoy working late, but deep down they crave recognition and success.
What did Henry Murray contribute to psychology?
Developed the concept of need, press, and apperception. Created the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) to measure unconscious motives.
Example: Murray’s research helped explain why some people seek leadership roles while others prefer to support from behind.
What is Murray’s concept of “need”?
Readiness to respond in a specific way. Creates tension that motivates action (e.g., hunger pushes us to seek food).
Example: A person with a high need for dominance might take charge in group projects, while someone with a high need for affiliation prioritizes teamwork.
What is the difference between Alpha and Beta Press?
Alpha Press: Objective reality (e.g., a person smiles).
Beta Press: Perceived reality (e.g., one person sees the smile as kind, another as fake).
Example: Two people see a professor’s neutral expression. One thinks the professor is annoyed (Beta Press), while the other sees them as calm (also Beta Press). The reality (Alpha Press) is that the professor is just thinking.
What is apperception?
The way people interpret events based on their motives. Used in the TAT to uncover hidden needs.
Example: A child drawing a lonely figure in a TAT test may reveal an unmet need for social connection.
How does the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) work?
People describe ambiguous images, revealing their unconscious motives. Measures both temporary states and stable traits.
Example: A person who sees an image of two people talking and describes them as arguing might have an unconscious fear of conflict.
What are the key ideas about motives shared with dispositional psychologists? (unique characteristics that influence behaviour and actions in an individual)
People differ in the type and strength of their motives.
These differences are measurable.
Motives influence important life outcomes (e.g., success in business, relationships).
Motive differences remain stable over time.
Studying motives helps answer: “Why do people do what they do?”
Example:
One person may have a high need for achievement, making them work extra hours, while another may prioritize affiliation, focusing on friendships.
What is the Need for Achievement (nAch)?
The desire to do better, be successful, and feel competent.
People with high nAch prefer challenging but realistic tasks.
Example: A student picks a moderately difficult math problem over an easy or impossible one.
What are key traits of people with high Need for Achievement (nAch)?
Motivated by challenges (not too easy, not too hard).
📌 Example: A chess player prefers an opponent slightly above their skill level.
Prefer personal responsibility for results.
📌 Example: Entrepreneurs love taking credit for business success.
Seek feedback to improve.
📌 Example: An artist asks for critiques to refine their work.
How can parents encourage achievement motivation in children?
Praise effort, not ability (Growth Mindset).
📌 Say “You worked hard” instead of “You’re smart”.
Set age-appropriate challenges (not too easy or too hard).
Celebrate success but normalize failure as a learning step.
Avoid creating a fear of failure, emphasize improvement.
What is the Need for Power (nPow)?
The desire to influence, control, and be recognized by others.
High nPow individuals seek leadership, assert dominance, and value social status.
📌 Example: A politician thrives on public influence and recognition.
What are key traits of people with high Need for Power (nPow)?
Recognize emotions in others quickly.
📌 Example: A sales manager reads customer reactions to close deals.
Enjoy debates and risk-taking.
📌 Example: A CEO takes bold business risks to expand a company.
Struggle with frustration if their power is blocked.
📌 Example: A leader gets stressed when their authority is questioned.
What is the Need for Intimacy (nInt)?
The desire for strong and meaningful relationships.
Preference for deep, personal interactions over surface-level conversations.
📌 Example: A person enjoys heart-to-heart talks rather than casual party chatter.
What are key traits of people with high Need for Intimacy (nInt)?
Deep conversations > Small talk
📌 Example: Prefers discussing life goals rather than gossiping.
Feel happy and connected in relationships
📌 Example: Smiles and makes eye contact in conversations.
Initiates social contact often
📌 Example: Frequently checks in on friends.
Copes well with stress due to strong relationships
📌 Example: Talks to close friends for emotional support.
How is the Need for Intimacy (nInt) different from Extraversion?
nInt = deep and meaningful relationships.
Extraversion = enjoys social settings but not necessarily deep connections.
📌 Example: A high-nInt person enjoys close friendships, while an extrovert loves being around people but may not form deep bonds.
What are the three major psychological motives?
Achievement (nAch) – Success through effort and challenges.
Power (nPow) – Influence and control over others.
Intimacy (nInt) – Deep, meaningful relationships.
📌 Each affects personal and professional life in different ways.
What is the main focus of humanistic psychology?
Humanistic psychology focuses on personal growth, self-awareness, and achieving full potential (self-actualization).
It emphasizes positive human nature, personal responsibility, and growth rather than fixing deficiencies.
Example: Instead of treating depression by analyzing childhood trauma, a humanistic therapist might help the client explore personal goals and self-improvement.
What are Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?
Maslow proposed that human needs follow a hierarchy, from basic survival to self-fulfillment:
Physiological needs – Food, water, sleep. (Example: A person without food will prioritize eating over career goals.)
Safety needs – Security, stability, financial safety. (Example: Finding a stable job to ensure rent is paid.)
Belongingness & Love needs – Relationships, friendships, intimacy. (Example: Seeking companionship or joining social groups.)
Esteem needs – Achievement, recognition. (Example: Wanting to be respected in a workplace or community.)
Self-actualization – Fulfilling one’s potential and creativity. (Example: An artist who pursues creative expression despite societal pressure.)
What is self-actualization?
Self-actualization is reaching one’s full potential and becoming the best version of oneself.
A self-actualized person is creative, problem-solving, and true to themselves.
Example: Oprah Winfrey, who overcame hardships to become a leader in media and philanthropy.
How does Maslow’s theory differ from psychoanalysis?
Unlike Freud, who focused on unconscious conflicts and past trauma, Maslow emphasized growth and fulfillment.
Instead of being driven by hidden urges, people are seen as actively striving for improvement.
Example: Instead of seeing someone’s fear of public speaking as repressed childhood trauma, Maslow would view it as a need for esteem and confidence.
What did Carl Rogers contribute to humanistic psychology?
Developed Client-Centered Therapy – Therapy based on acceptance, empathy, and self-discovery.
Personality grows through experiences that bring people closer to their “true self.”
Introduced unconditional positive regard – people thrive when they are accepted without judgment.
Example: A teacher who supports students’ ideas instead of criticizing them helps them grow.
What is Client-Centered Therapy?
A therapy method developed by Carl Rogers where therapists provide support but do not give direct advice.
Encourages self-discovery and self-acceptance.
Example: Instead of telling a client what decision to make, the therapist asks open-ended questions to help them figure it out themselves.
What does “Unconditional Positive Regard” mean?
Accepting someone without judgment.
Essential for personal growth and developing self-worth.
Example: A parent who loves their child even if they fail a test, encouraging them to improve rather than criticizing.
How does self-actualization differ from esteem needs?
Esteem needs involve external validation (recognition, respect). (Example: Wanting an award for good performance at work.)
Self-actualization is about internal fulfillment (creativity, authenticity). (Example: A person who pursues painting not for fame but for personal joy.)
