UNIT 2: Personality, Motivation, and emotion Flashcards
Psychodynamic theory
personality views human behaviour as a dynamic interaction between the conscious mind and unconscious mind, including associated motivates and conflicts
Unconscious mind processes
the psychodynamic approach believes that the driving force behind our behaviour is the unconscious mind. If we have problematic or challenging behaviour then we must access the unconscious mind to sort it out.
conscious
the part of our mind that we know about and are aware of; the ‘tip of the iceberg’
preconscious
this section of the mind is actually between the conscious and unconscious. It is not conscious awareness, but wishes, feelings and memories can be stored temporarily in this area to be retrieved for conscious thought. We may become aware of information in our preconsciousness during dreaming or ‘slips of the tongue’. Modern slang terms these as ‘Freudian slip’.
unconscious
vast storehouse of biological drives, wishes, feelings, memories and instincts that has a significant influence on our behaviour and personality. Also contains threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed, or locked away and forgotten because they are too unsettling to acknowledge.
the id
a primitive part of our personality. Only the id is present at birth. Throughout life, the id is entirely selfish and demands instant gratification of its needs.
pleasure principle
the id gets what it wants and drives instincts.
the ego
A persons sense of** self esteem/importance**. Develops at age 2. Managed by defense mechanisms.
moral principle
it represents moral standards and punishes the ego for wrong-doing (through guilt).
superego
is formed at around the age of 5. It is our internalised sense of right and wrong
defense mechanisms
These are unconscious and ensure that the ego is able to prevent us from being overwhelmed by temporary threats or traumas. Often involve some sort of distortion of reality.
repression
Pushing away threatening thoughts/feelings/and memories into the unconscious mind
repression example
Not remembering a traumatic incident in which you witnessed/experienced a crime.
regression
going back to childish ways
regression example
throwing a temper tantrum as an adult when you do not get your ways.
displacement
Shifting/redirecting unacceptable thoughts/feelings from the original source to a less threatening object/source
displacement example
Taking your anger toward your boss out on your partner or children by yelling at them and not your boss.
denial
refusing to believe or even perceive painful realities
denial example
a husband may refuse to recognize obvious signs of his wife’s infidelity
sublimation
Redirection of unacceptable sexual or aggressive impulses into more socially acceptable behaviors.
sublimation example
Redirecting aggressive impulses into boxing.
reaction formation
Acting in a manner exactly opposite to our true feelings.
OPPOSITE
reaction formation example
A woman who really wants to be back at work as a high paid lawyer, but instead stays at home, showing her newborn with attention.
projection
Attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings and thoughts to others and not yourself.
projection example
Accusing your boyfriend of cheating on you because you have yourself actually been cheating.
rationalization
Creating false excuses for one’s unacceptable feelings, thoughts or behaviour.
EXCUSE
rationalization example
Justifying cheating on an AP exam by saying that the teacher was too lazy to be watching you the whole 60mins.
projective tests
a personality test that asks participants to describe an ambiguous image or tell a story about it. Any hopes, desires or fears that the person describes are actually projections of their own inner feelings or conflicts.
projective test example
The Rorschach Inkblot Test. It is a set of 10 inkblot images which an individual needs to describe when shown.
humanistic psychology
humans are self determining and have free will, does not mean that people are not affected by external/internal influences. We are able to determine our own personality and development
humanistic psychologists
regard personal growth as an essential part of what it is to be human
Maslows hierarchy of needs
ways people strive for self actualisation
self actualisation
becoming what you are capable of
unconditional positive regard
offering compassion to people even if they did something wrong. A lack in this may lead to feelings of worthlessness as a adult.
conditions of worth
parents who set boundaries/limits on their love for their child