Sullivan Flashcards
What is Sullivan’s basic tenet?
Personality does not exist independently of social relationships.
What are Sullivan’s core structures? (hint: two “basic goals”)
Satisfaction –> biological needs
Security –> psycho/social needs
What is Sullivan’s core tendency?
Frustration of goals (either direct or indirect)
Ex: Baby, hungry, cries out for his mom, but mom is not present and cannot feed the baby (direct frustration)
Ex: Baby, hungry, cries out for his mom, who IS present, but she scolds him for crying (indirect frustration)
What are “personifications”?
Protective ideas to reduce anxiety
How are personifications formed?
Unconscious “picture” of a person + feelings towards person + behavior
Put these in order:
Personifications Frustration anxiety (core tendency) Interaction patterns (traits) Goals (core structures)
Goals (core structures) –> Frustration anxiety (core tendency) –> Personifications –> Interaction patterns (traits)
What happens if you build a negative personification for a person (i.e. mother) but meet someone else who has positive qualities (girlfriend)?
Your negative personification of mother will not change, but you will develop a separate (more positive) personification of girlfriend.
True or false: When you develop personification of others, you also develop one for yourself
True
What are the personifications of self?
Good me
Bad me
In situations where you feel threatened or insecure = ____ me
Bad
Ex: Bob builds a negative personification for his teacher and feels he’s not worthy of going to school, so he lashes out, refuses to do his homework, and slacks off.
In situations where you don’t feel threatened or insecure = ____ me
Good
Ex: Bob feels more secure and comfortable in his home, therefore building a positive personification for his family, so he’s attentive, polite, and a good child.
Based on the number of personifications you form, your personality will be…
Either more or less complex
More personifications = ____ complex
More
Less personifications = ____ complex
Less
