Personality Standard 1

Question 1

in psychoanalysis, a method of exploring the unconscious in which the person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind, no matter how trivial or embarrassing

Answer 1

free association

Question 2

Freud’s theory of personality that attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts; the techniques used in treating psychological disorders by seeking to expose and interpret unconscious tensions

Answer 2

Psychoanalysis

Question 3

according to Freud, a reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories. According to contemporary psychologists, information processing of which we are unaware.

Answer 3

Unconscious

Question 4

a reservoir of unconscious psychic energy that, according to Freud, strives to satisfy basic sexual and aggressive drives. The id operates on the pleasure principle, demanding immediate gratification.

Answer 4

Id

Question 5

the largely conscious, “executive” part of personality that, according to Freud, mediates among the demands of the id and superego. Operates on the reality principle, satisfying the id’s desires in ways that will realistically bring pleasure rather than pain.

Answer 5

Ego

Question 6

the part of personality that, according to Freud, represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgment (the conscience) and for future aspirations

Answer 6

Superego

Question 7

the childhood stages of development during which, according to Freud, the id’s pleasure-seeking energies focus on distinct erogenous zones

Answer 7

Psychosexual stages

Question 8

according to Freud, a boy’s sexual desires toward his mother and feelings of jealousy and hatred for the rival father

Answer 8

Oedipus complex

Question 9

the process by which, according to Freud, children incorporate their parents’ values into their developing superegos

Answer 9

Identification

Question 10

according to Freud, a lingering focus of pleasure-seeking energies at an earlier psychosexual stage, in which conflicts were unresolved

Answer 10

Fixation

Question 11

in psychoanalytic theory, the ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality

Answer 11

Defense mechanisms

Question 12

in psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories

Answer 12

Repression

Question 13

the tendency for people to take personal credit for success but blame failure on external factors

Answer 13

Self-serving bias

Question 14

Carl Jung’s concept of a shared, inherited reservoir of memory traces from our species’ history

Answer 14

Collective unconscious

Question 15

the tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share our beliefs and behaviors

Answer 15

False consensus effect

Question 16

the theory that holds that self-esteem serves as a buffer, protecting people from terrifying thoughts about their own mortality

Answer 16

Terror management theory

Question 17

the “third force” in psychology that focuses on those aspects of personality that make people uniquely human, such as subjective feelings and freedom of choice

Answer 17

Humanistic Perspective

Question 18

according to Maslow, one of the ultimate psychological needs that arises after basic physical and psychological needs are met and self-esteem is achieved; the motivation to fulfill one’s potential

Answer 18

Self-actualization

Question 19

a caring, accepting, nonjudgmental attitude, which Carl Rogers believed would help clients to develop self-awareness and self-acceptance

Answer 19

Unconditional positive regard

Question 20

all our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in answer to the question, “Who am I?”

Answer 20

Self-concept

Question 21

A theory of personality that focuses on identifying, describing, and measuring individual differences in behavioral predispositions

Answer 21

Trait Theory

Question 22

views behavior as influenced by the interaction between people’s traits (including their thinking) and their social context.

Answer 22

Social-cognitive perspective

Question 23

the perception that you control your own fate

Answer 23

Internal locus of control

Question 24

the perception that chance or outside forces beyond your personal control determine your fate.

Answer 24

External locus of control

Question 25

in personality theory, this perspective focuses on the effects of learning on our personality development

Answer 25

Behavioral approach

Question 26

the interacting influences of behavior, internal cognition, and environment

Answer 26

Reciprocal determinism

Question 27

the scientific study of optimal human functioning; aims to discover and promote strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive

Answer 27

Positive psychology

Question 28

overestimating others’ noticing and evaluating our appearance, performance, and blunders (as if we presume a spotlight shines on us)

Answer 28

Spotlight effect

Question 29

One’s belief in his or her own ability.

Answer 29

Self-efficacy

Question 30

excessive self-love and self-absorption

Answer 30

Narcissism

Question 31

an expectation that causes you to act in ways that make that expectation come true.

Answer 31

Self-fulfilling prophecy