Theories of Personality

Question 1

Sigmund Freud: Psychoanalytic Theory

Answer 1

• says personality is shaped by childhood experiences person’s unconscious thoughts/desires, feelings, and past memories (particularly experiences in childhood).

Question 2

Psychoanalytic Theory: Unconscious Desires

Answer 2

• Libido -natural energy source – fuels energy of mind for motivation for survival, growth, pleasure, etc.
• Death instinct - drives aggressive behaviours fuelled by unconscious wish to die or hurt oneself/others

Question 3

Psychoanalytic Theory: Influences on Behaviour: Projection

Answer 3

• projecting own feelings of inadequacy on another

Question 4

Psychoanalytic Theory: Influences on Behaviour: Reaction Formation

Answer 4

• defense mechanism where someone says or does exact opposite of what they actually want/feel

Question 5

Psychoanalytic Theory: Influences on Behaviour: Regression

Answer 5

• defense mechanism where one regresses to position of child in problematic situations

Question 6

Psychoanalytic Theory: Influences on Behaviour: Sublimation

Answer 6

• defence mechanism where unwanted impulses are transformed into something less harmful

Question 7

Carl Rogers: Humanistic Theory

Answer 7

• focuses on healthy personality development, and humans are seen as inherently good. The most basic motive of all people is the actualizing tendency (self-actualization), innate drive to maintain and enhance oneself to full potential. It also says that people have free will. Person will grow towards self-actualization as long as there are no obstacles.
• Answers; “Who am I”

Question 8

Behaviourist Theory

Answer 8

• personality is the result of learned behavior patterns based on a person’s environment – it’s deterministic, in that people begin as blank states and the environment completely determines their behavior/personalities. Do not take thoughts and feelings into account. Environment -> BEHAVIOR

Question 9

Observational Learning: Albert Bandura: Social Cognitive Theory

Answer 9

• is theory of behaviour change that emphasizes interactions between people and their environment.
• Unlike behaviourism (where environment controls us entirely), cognition is also important.
• Social factors, observational learning, and environmental factors (ex. opinions/attitudes of friends and family) can influence your beliefs.
• Attention, Memory, Imitation, Motivation. Acronym: “AM I Motivated?”

Question 10

Defense Mechanism

Answer 10

• ways to protect ourselves – a psychological shield against anxiety or discomfort of unconscious psychological processes.
• A way to protect ourselves when we have to deal with unconscious wants, feelings, desires, and impulses.

Question 11

Defense Mechanism: Pathological Defense Mechanism

Answer 11

• distort reality
• Denial – person pretends something hasn’t happened. Most important defence mechanism. (acronym: PATHOLOGICAL liar/denier)

Question 12

Defense Mechanism: Neurotic Defense Mechanism

Answer 12

• Acronym: 3RID
• Intellectualization – taking intellectual aspects and detaching to the emotional aspects of the situation. Separating emotion from ideas
• Rationalization – making yourself believe you were not on fault – avoids blame to oneself. Can have false logic or false reasoning.
• Regression – acting like a baby in some situations ex. throwing temper tantrum, start whining.
• Repression – unconscious process where thoughts pushed down to unconscious o
• Displacement – person anger at someone but displaces it to someone else (a safer target).
  Example: mother who is mad at her husband gets mad at her child
• Reaction Formation – unconscious feelings that make person to complete opposite.