Personality Standard 1 Flashcards
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
free association
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
Psychoanalysis
according to Freud, a reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories. According to contemporary psychologists, information processing of which we are unaware.
Unconscious
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.
Id
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.
Ego
the part of personality that, according to Freud, represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgment (the conscience) and for future aspirations
Superego
the childhood stages of development during which, according to Freud, the id’s pleasure-seeking energies focus on distinct erogenous zones
Psychosexual stages
according to Freud, a boy’s sexual desires toward his mother and feelings of jealousy and hatred for the rival father
Oedipus complex
the process by which, according to Freud, children incorporate their parents’ values into their developing superegos
Identification
according to Freud, a lingering focus of pleasure-seeking energies at an earlier psychosexual stage, in which conflicts were unresolved
Fixation
in psychoanalytic theory, the ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality
Defense mechanisms
in psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories
Repression
the tendency for people to take personal credit for success but blame failure on external factors
Self-serving bias
Carl Jung’s concept of a shared, inherited reservoir of memory traces from our species’ history
Collective unconscious
the tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share our beliefs and behaviors
False consensus effect
the theory that holds that self-esteem serves as a buffer, protecting people from terrifying thoughts about their own mortality
Terror management theory
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
Humanistic Perspective
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
Self-actualization
a caring, accepting, nonjudgmental attitude, which Carl Rogers believed would help clients to develop self-awareness and self-acceptance
Unconditional positive regard
all our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in answer to the question, “Who am I?”
Self-concept
A theory of personality that focuses on identifying, describing, and measuring individual differences in behavioral predispositions
Trait Theory
views behavior as influenced by the interaction between people’s traits (including their thinking) and their social context.
Social-cognitive perspective
the perception that you control your own fate
Internal locus of control
the perception that chance or outside forces beyond your personal control determine your fate.
External locus of control
in personality theory, this perspective focuses on the effects of learning on our personality development
Behavioral approach
the interacting influences of behavior, internal cognition, and environment
Reciprocal determinism
the scientific study of optimal human functioning; aims to discover and promote strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive
Positive psychology
overestimating others’ noticing and evaluating our appearance, performance, and blunders (as if we presume a spotlight shines on us)
Spotlight effect
One’s belief in his or her own ability.
Self-efficacy
excessive self-love and self-absorption
Narcissism
an expectation that causes you to act in ways that make that expectation come true.
Self-fulfilling prophecy
