Psychology 105 Chapter 14: Personality Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of Personality?

people's typical ways of thinking, feeling, & behaving (correct)

the reservoir of our most primitive impulses

an unconscious attribution of our negative characteristics to others

a scientific approach that seeks out specific principles

What does Trait influence?

behavior across many situations

What is the Nomothetic approach?

scientific approach that seeks out general principles in nature

What is the Idiographic approach?

scientific approach that focuses on identifying unique characteristics of an individual Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Molecular genetic study?

investigation to pinpoint genes associated with specific personality traits Signup and view all the answers

What does Psychic determinism assume?

all psychological events have a cause Signup and view all the answers

What is the Id in psychological terms?

reservoir of our most primitive impulses Signup and view all the answers

What is the Pleasure principle?

tendency of the id to strive for immediate gratification Signup and view all the answers

What is the Superego?

sense of morality Signup and view all the answers

What is the Ego's role?

psyche's executive & principal decision maker Signup and view all the answers

What does the Reality principle involve?

tendency of the ego to postpone gratification until it can find an appropriate outlet Signup and view all the answers

What are Defence mechanisms?

unconscious manoeuvres intended to minimize anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What is Repression?

motivated forgetting of emotionally threatening memories or impulses Signup and view all the answers

What does Denial involve?

motivated forgetting of distressing external experiences Signup and view all the answers

What is Regression?

returning psychologically to a younger simpler & safer age Signup and view all the answers

What is Reaction-formation?

transformation of an anxiety-provoking emotion into its opposite Signup and view all the answers

What is Projection in psychological terms?

unconscious attribution of our negative characteristics to others Signup and view all the answers

What is Displacement?

directing an impulse from a socially unacceptable target onto a safer & more socially acceptable target Signup and view all the answers

What is Rationalization?

providing a reasonable-sounding explanation for unreasonable behaviors or failures Signup and view all the answers

What does Sublimation mean?

transforming a socially unacceptable impulse into an admired goal Signup and view all the answers

What is an Erogenous zone?

sexually arousing zone of the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the Oral stage in psychosexual development?

psychosexual stage that focuses on the mouth; birth to 12-18 months Signup and view all the answers

What is the Anal stage?

psychosexual stage that focuses on toilet training; 18 months to 3 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the Phallic stage?

psychosexual stage that focuses on the genitals; 3-6 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the Oedipus complex?

conflict during the phallic stage in which boys love their mothers romantically Signup and view all the answers

What is the Electra complex?

conflict during phallic stage in which girls love their fathers romantically Signup and view all the answers

What is the Latency stage?

psychosexual stage in which sexual impulses are submerged into the unconscious; 6-12 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the Genital stage?

psychosexual stage in which sexual impulses awaken; around age 12 Signup and view all the answers

What are non-Freudian theories?

theories placed less emphasis on sexuality in personality development Signup and view all the answers

What is Style of life according to Adler?

each person's distinctive way of achieving superiority Signup and view all the answers

What is an Inferiority complex?

feelings of low self-esteem that can lead to overcompensation Signup and view all the answers

What is the Collective unconscious?

shared storehouse of memories passed down from ancestors Signup and view all the answers

What are Archetypes?

cross-culturally universal symbols Signup and view all the answers

What do Social learning theorists emphasize?

thinking as a cause of personality Signup and view all the answers

What is Reciprocal determinism?

tendency for people to mutually influence each other's behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is Self-actualization?

drive to develop our innate potential to the fullest possible extent Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Personality

Personality encompasses typical ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving of individuals.
Traits are consistent influences on behavior across various situations.

Approaches to Personality

The nomothetic approach seeks universal principles in understanding personality rather than focusing on individual specifics.
The idiographic approach emphasizes the unique configuration of characteristics and life experiences of individuals.

Genetic Studies

Molecular genetic studies help identify specific genes linked to particular personality traits.

Psychological Concepts

Psychic determinism suggests all psychological events have specific causes.
The id contains our most basic impulses, including desires related to sex and aggression.
The pleasure principle drives the id to seek immediate gratification.
The superego represents our moral compass and sense of right and wrong.
The ego acts as the decision-maker, balancing the desires of the id and the morality of the superego.
The reality principle enables the ego to delay gratification until a suitable outlet is found.

Defence Mechanisms

Defence mechanisms are unconscious strategies to reduce anxiety, including:
- Repression: forgetting threatening memories or impulses.
- Denial: ignoring distressing external experiences.
- Regression: reverting to a simpler, childlike state.
- Reaction-formation: transforming negative emotions into their opposites.
- Projection: attributing one's own negative traits onto others.
- Displacement: redirecting impulses to safer targets.
- Rationalization: justifying unreasonable actions.
- Sublimation: channeling unacceptable impulses into socially approved goals.

Psychosexual Development Stages

Erogenous zones are areas of the body that are sexually sensitive.
Oral stage (birth to 12-18 months): focus on the mouth.
Anal stage (18 months to 3 years): focus on toilet training.
Phallic stage (3-6 years): focus on the genitals, leading to the Oedipus and Electra complexes.
- Oedipus complex: boys' romantic feelings for their mothers, rivalry with fathers.
- Electra complex: girls' romantic feelings for their fathers, rivalry with mothers.
Latency stage (6-12 years): sexual impulses are repressed.
Genital stage (around age 12): maturation of sexual impulses and romantic interests.

Theories Beyond Freud

Non-Freudian theories place less focus on sexuality and promote optimism about personality growth.
Style of life (Adler): each person's unique method of achieving personal superiority.
Inferiority complex: feelings of inadequacy leading to overcompensation.
Collective unconscious (Jung): shared ancestral memories across generations.
Archetypes: universally recognizable symbols found in different cultures.

Learning and Personality

Social learning theorists stress the role of cognitive processes in shaping personality.
Reciprocal determinism: individuals mutually influence one another's behaviors.
Self-actualization: the inherent drive to fulfill one's potential to the fullest.
Condition of worth (Rogers): the standards we impose on ourselves for perceived worthiness.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts from Chapter 14 of Psychology 105. This quiz covers important terms related to personality, including traits and approaches to understanding personal differences. Use these flashcards to reinforce your understanding of how personality influences behavior.