Unit 2 prt3 Flashcards
What are the three main topics in ‘Motives and Personality’?
Basic Concepts, The Big Three Motives (Achievement, Power, Intimacy), and Humanistic Tradition (Self-Actualization).
What are motives?
Internal states that activate and direct behavior toward specific goals, often generated by a deficit (e.g., hunger, thirst).
How do motives relate to the intrapsychic domain?
- Motives function as needs and urges.
- Some motives are unconscious.
- Projective techniques (e.g., TAT) can reveal motives.
What are the five key ideas shared with dispositional psychology?
- People differ in the type and strength of their motives.
- These differences are measurable.
- Motives influence life outcomes (e.g., career success, relationships).
- Motive patterns remain stable over time.
- Motives help explain why people behave the way they do.
Who was Henry Murray, and what were his contributions?
A psychologist who studied with Carl Jung, developed the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), and introduced concepts like ‘need,’ ‘press,’ and ‘apperception.’
What is Murray’s definition of a ‘need’?
A readiness to respond in a certain way under specific conditions, organizing perception and guiding behavior to satisfy tension.
What is ‘press’ in Murray’s theory?
Environmental factors that are relevant to a need, categorized as Alpha Press (real environment) and Beta Press (perceived environment).
What is apperception?
The act of interpreting the environment based on one’s motives and needs.
What are the three major motives in personality psychology?
Achievement (nAch), Power (nPow), and Intimacy (nInt).
What characterizes the need for achievement (nAch)?
- Desire to excel and feel competent.
- Preference for moderately difficult tasks.
- Enjoyment of personal responsibility and performance feedback.
How can the need for achievement be promoted in children?
Encouraging effort over ability, setting challenging but age-appropriate goals, and celebrating success while treating failure as a learning opportunity.
What characterizes the need for power (nPow)?
- Desire to influence and impact others.
- Correlates with recognizing others’ emotions and increased arguments.
- Leads to frustration when power is blocked.
What characterizes the need for intimacy (nInt)?
- Desire for strong, meaningful relationships.
- Preference for close, communicative interactions.
- Higher life satisfaction and better stress management.
What is the humanistic tradition in personality psychology?
A perspective emphasizing awareness, personal responsibility, and the pursuit of meaning and fulfillment.
How does the humanistic tradition differ from other theories?
It focuses on growth and development rather than deficiencies or unconscious conflicts.
What was Abraham Maslow’s contribution?
He developed the hierarchy of needs, proposing that lower needs (e.g., physiological, safety) must be met before higher ones (e.g., esteem, self-actualization).
What are Maslow’s five levels of needs?
- Physiological (food, water, shelter).
- Safety (security, stability).
- Belongingness (relationships, social acceptance).
- Esteem (competence, respect).
- Self-Actualization (realizing one’s potential).
What is Carl Rogers’ contribution to humanistic psychology?
He developed client-centered therapy and emphasized unconditional positive regard and self-concept development.
What is a ‘fully functioning person’ according to Rogers?
Someone on the path to self-actualization, trusting themselves, taking responsibility, and accepting their emotions.
How does Rogers explain anxiety?
As a result of experiencing something that contradicts one’s self-concept.
How does client-centered therapy work?
The therapist provides empathy and unconditional positive regard, allowing the client to find their own solutions without direct advice.
