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What does differential psychology primarily focus on?
What does differential psychology primarily focus on?
How do psychological traits differ from psychological states according to differential psychology?
How do psychological traits differ from psychological states according to differential psychology?
What distinguishes differential psychology from cognitive psychology?
What distinguishes differential psychology from cognitive psychology?
What is the primary question differential psychology seeks to address regarding personality?
What is the primary question differential psychology seeks to address regarding personality?
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In what way does differential psychology differ from social psychology?
In what way does differential psychology differ from social psychology?
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Which of the following is a criticism of the psychodynamic perspective?
Which of the following is a criticism of the psychodynamic perspective?
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What does self-actualisation refer to in the context of personality?
What does self-actualisation refer to in the context of personality?
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In phenomenological-humanistic perspectives, behavior is primarily influenced by which of the following?
In phenomenological-humanistic perspectives, behavior is primarily influenced by which of the following?
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Which term describes the alignment between self-perceptions and actual experiences?
Which term describes the alignment between self-perceptions and actual experiences?
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What concept reflects the tendency to perceive oneself as better than the average on socially desirable traits?
What concept reflects the tendency to perceive oneself as better than the average on socially desirable traits?
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What is a major challenge in measuring self-actualisation?
What is a major challenge in measuring self-actualisation?
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Which of the following biases is associated with the psychodynamic perspective?
Which of the following biases is associated with the psychodynamic perspective?
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Why might the phenomenological-humanistic perspective be viewed as philosophical?
Why might the phenomenological-humanistic perspective be viewed as philosophical?
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What is the primary focus of trait theories in personality psychology?
What is the primary focus of trait theories in personality psychology?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the 'Big Five' personality factors?
Which of the following is NOT one of the 'Big Five' personality factors?
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What statistical method is commonly used in factor analytical approaches to identify personality traits?
What statistical method is commonly used in factor analytical approaches to identify personality traits?
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Cattell's personality factors were developed through what kind of participant feedback?
Cattell's personality factors were developed through what kind of participant feedback?
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How do individualistic cultures generally view personality traits compared to collectivist cultures?
How do individualistic cultures generally view personality traits compared to collectivist cultures?
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What does the heritability of the Big Five refer to?
What does the heritability of the Big Five refer to?
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In terms of gender differences in personality, which of the following statements is generally true?
In terms of gender differences in personality, which of the following statements is generally true?
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What aspect of personality assessment do structured interviews prioritize?
What aspect of personality assessment do structured interviews prioritize?
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Which of the following facets is associated with the personality trait of Openness?
Which of the following facets is associated with the personality trait of Openness?
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According to stability research, how does personality generally change as individuals age?
According to stability research, how does personality generally change as individuals age?
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What limitation does personality assessment through scales have?
What limitation does personality assessment through scales have?
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Which dimension of Eysenck's model is NOT one of the two basic personality traits he identified?
Which dimension of Eysenck's model is NOT one of the two basic personality traits he identified?
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What is the primary concern of evaluating trait theories of personality?
What is the primary concern of evaluating trait theories of personality?
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Which component of personality is primarily responsible for immediate gratification and exists in the unconscious mind?
Which component of personality is primarily responsible for immediate gratification and exists in the unconscious mind?
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What is the primary function of the ego in personality according to Freud?
What is the primary function of the ego in personality according to Freud?
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During which psychosexual stage do children experience the Oedipus complex?
During which psychosexual stage do children experience the Oedipus complex?
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What can result from overindulgence or deprivation during the anal stage of psychosexual development?
What can result from overindulgence or deprivation during the anal stage of psychosexual development?
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What mechanism does the ego use to protect against anxiety-producing thoughts by pushing them into the unconscious?
What mechanism does the ego use to protect against anxiety-producing thoughts by pushing them into the unconscious?
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At what age does the superego primarily develop according to Freud’s theory?
At what age does the superego primarily develop according to Freud’s theory?
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What role does the unconscious mind play according to Freud's theories?
What role does the unconscious mind play according to Freud's theories?
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What is a characteristic of the pleasure principle governing the id?
What is a characteristic of the pleasure principle governing the id?
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In Freud's theory, what does fixation at a psychosexual stage lead to?
In Freud's theory, what does fixation at a psychosexual stage lead to?
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Which defense mechanism involves redirecting repressed impulses toward a safer target?
Which defense mechanism involves redirecting repressed impulses toward a safer target?
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What did Carl Jung criticize about Freud's emphasis on personality development?
What did Carl Jung criticize about Freud's emphasis on personality development?
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What is the role of the preconscious mind?
What is the role of the preconscious mind?
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What is the primary focus of personality according to the definition given?
What is the primary focus of personality according to the definition given?
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What are the three mental processes described by Freud?
What are the three mental processes described by Freud?
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What is an effect of regression during stressful situations in childhood?
What is an effect of regression during stressful situations in childhood?
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Study Notes
Individual Differences in Psychology
- Psychology studies general behavior patterns, aiming to understand how most people behave under typical conditions.
- Differential psychology focuses on variations in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It investigates underlying differences, not temporary states.
- Psychological traits are enduring ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving, while states are temporary.
- Differential psychology contrasts with cognitive psychology (examining differences in memory capacity) and social psychology (examining obedience differences).
- Differential psychology also contrasts with developmental psychology (considering differences in developmental milestones such as theory of mind).
What is Personality?
- Personality encompasses distinctive and enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting.
- People exhibit consistent behavior patterns across time and contexts.
- Personality provides lasting, internal explanations for behavior, defining individual identity.
Historical Perspectives on Personality
A) Psychodynamic Perspective (Freud)
- Freud proposed the first formal personality theory, based on treating conversion hysteria.
- He theorized repressed memories (typically sexual or aggressive) cause symptoms.
- The unconscious mind plays a significant role in influencing behavior.
- Techniques to explore unconscious memories/feelings were developed.
Psychic Energy
- Personality is like an energy system constantly seeking release.
- Instincts generate psychic energy, powering the mind and demanding release.
- Release can be direct or indirect.
Mental Processes and Awareness
- Conscious: current awareness
- Preconscious: accessible but not currently aware
- Unconscious: beyond awareness
Structure of Personality
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Id: Source of psychic energy, entirely unconscious, driven by the pleasure principle (immediate gratification). Present from birth.
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Ego: In touch with reality; operates primarily at a conscious level and acts according to the reality principle (delaying gratification). Develops by age 3.
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Superego: Moral compass, internalized societal values and family ideals. Develops by age 4/5, striving for moralistic goals.
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Personality is a conflict between Id's impulses and Ego/Superego's controls. Behavior represents compromises between these forces.
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Anxiety/mental disorders arise from conflicts between conscious and unconscious minds. Ego must confront threatening impulses.
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Defense mechanisms (e.g., repression, denial, displacement) are unconscious ways the ego reduces anxiety.
Psychosexual Stages of Development
- Early childhood experiences shape adult personality.
- Children pass through four psychosexual stages, each focusing on an erogenous zone (e.g., oral, anal, phallic, genital).
- Fixation at a stage results in specific personality traits in adulthood.
B) Phenomenological-Humanistic Perspective
- This perspective emphasizes conscious experience and self-perception in shaping behavior.
- Phenomenology highlights current experience, while humanism emphasizes a positive view of people.
The Self
- Carl Rogers highlighted the internal forces driving behavior towards self-actualization.
- The self is a consistent set of perceptions about oneself.
- The self guides perceptions and behaviors.
- Self-consistency and congruence between self-perception and experience are important for well-being.
Self-Concept
- Self-verification: seeking information confirming self-concept
- Self-enhancement: maintaining positive self-image
- People tend to rate themselves above average in desirable traits.
Trait Theories of Personality
- Trait theories describe personality using measurable characteristics.
- Allport and Odbert (1936) explored the identification of traits.
- Trait theories aim to identify core personality traits causing differences.
Factor Analytical Approaches
- Factor analysis identifies clusters of correlated characteristics reflecting underlying personality traits.
- Cattell's 16 personality factors emerged from factor analysis studies.
- Eysenck's model identifies two basic personality dimensions.
- The Five-Factor Model (Big Five) is the most prominent model today.
- The Big Five are openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism with 30 specific facets of the factors.
Stability of Personality
- Personality tends to be stable across time.
- Stability increases with age.
Consistency Across Situations
- Personality influences but doesn't fully determine behavior; situations play a role.
- Trait theories consider both internal forces and environmental factors affecting behavior.
Biological Foundations of Personality
- Twin studies suggest genetic factors contribute to personality variation.
- Heritability estimates for Big Five traits are 40%-50%.
Culture, Gender, and Personality
- Culture shapes personality.
- Individualistic vs. collectivistic cultures influence behavior patterns.
- The Big Five traits show remarkable cross-cultural consistency, though some might be exhibited more/less prominently in different cultures.
- Gender differences in personality tend to be modest, aligning with general gender stereotypes (e.g., women scoring higher on agreeableness and neuroticism).
Personality Assessment
- Methods include interviews, behavioral observations, and personality scales.
- Scales are standardized questionnaires assessing traits with advantages and limitations.
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Description
Explore the nuances of individual differences in psychology, focusing on differential psychology and its distinctions from other psychological fields. This quiz delves into the enduring traits of personality and how they contribute to behavior over time and across contexts.
