Psychology Chapter on Personality Development

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary outcome of encouragement in early development from ages 3 to 5?

Indecisiveness about identity

Guilt and self-denial

Feeling of inferiority

Confidence in personal choices (correct)

During the industry vs. inferiority stage, which feeling signifies personal competence?

Guilt

Isolation

Sense of industry (correct)

Role confusion

What stage is characterized by establishing intimate relationships?

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Intimacy vs. Isolation (correct)

Identity vs. Role Confusion

In the context of personality disorders, what does Cluster B include?

Dramatic, emotional, and erratic behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What is personality primarily defined as?

Patterns of behavior, emotions, and thinking that define an individual Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT a part of personality according to the definitions provided?

Financial status Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of Cluster A personality disorders?

Odd and eccentric behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What represents the primary concern during the generativity vs. stagnation stage?

Creativity and concern for others Signup and view all the answers

Which definition best describes temperament?

Hereditary aspects influencing behavior and emotions Signup and view all the answers

What is a key psychological challenge faced during the ego integrity vs. despair stage?

Experiencing loss and adjustment Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between an extrovert and an introvert?

Introverts gain satisfaction from solitary activities Signup and view all the answers

What term describes a person’s perception of their own personality traits?

Self Concept Signup and view all the answers

How are personality traits described in the context of personality disorders?

Inflexible and maladaptive Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Type A personality?

Achievement-oriented with a sense of time urgency Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about self-esteem is accurate?

Self-esteem is a positive evaluation of oneself. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Type B personalities over time in comparison to Type A personalities?

Their lifespan is prolonged. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a personality type?

Sensitive Signup and view all the answers

How do personality traits generally manifest?

They are stable and enduring in various situations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of assimilation in cognitive development?

Using existing schemas in a familiar context Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the nature versus nurture debate in personality development?

It is unknown how much genetics influence personality compared to upbringing. Signup and view all the answers

According to Freud's psychodynamic approach, what part of personality holds our true desires and fears?

Unconscious mind Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of accommodation in the context of cognitive development?

Modifying an existing schema to fit new information. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common trait of introverts during social gatherings?

They can easily become overwhelmed by excessive stimulation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines schemas in the context of cognitive development?

Existing mental frameworks for understanding experiences. Signup and view all the answers

In which psychosexual stage does a child experience an interest in their mother and rivalry with their father?

Phallic stage Signup and view all the answers

What potential characteristic is associated with oral fixation?

Dependency and aggression Signup and view all the answers

During which psychosocial stage does a child develop a sense of self-control and cooperation?

Autonomy Vs. Shame & Doubt Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of anal-retentive personality due to anal fixation?

Obsessional and compulsively clean Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome of the latency stage in terms of psychosexual development?

Psychosexual development is dormant Signup and view all the answers

Which psychosocial stage involves the ability to establish intimate relationships?

Intimacy Vs. Isolation Signup and view all the answers

During what age range does the oral stage of psychosexual development occur?

Birth to 18 months Signup and view all the answers

What conflicts characterize the Oedipus complex within the phallic stage?

Rivalry with the same-gender parent Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Objectives

Define Personality
Explain theories of personality development
Compare different Personality Types
Devise strategies to work with different personalities

Personality Definition

The distinctive and characteristic patterns of behavior, emotions, and thinking that define an individual's personal style and influence interactions with the environment
Stable over time, evident since adolescence, and recognizable to acquaintances in different environments

Key Concepts

Temperament: Hereditary aspects of personality (e.g., sensitivity, irritability, moodiness, friendliness)
Personality Trait: A stable, enduring quality exhibited in most situations (e.g., friendliness, competitiveness, sociability)
Personality Type: A style of personality defined by a group of related traits (e.g., introvert, extrovert)
Self-Concept: A person's perception of their own personality traits. Can be positive or negative and influences personal adjustment
Self-Esteem: A positive evaluation of oneself, viewing oneself as worthwhile

Comparison of Personality Types

Extroversion: Obtains gratification from external stimuli, enjoys human interaction, is enthusiastic, talkative, assertive, energized, and gregarious. Prefers time with others and experiences boredom when alone.
Introversion: Primarily focused on internal mental life, takes pleasure in solitary activities (reading, writing, using computers, hiking, fishing). Analytical and thoughtful before speaking; may be overwhelmed by too much social stimulation.

Comparison of Personality Types (Continued)

Type A Personality: Competitive, achievement-oriented, sense of urgency, prone to anger and hostility; linked to heart disease, depression, and a shorter lifespan.
Type B Personality: Easygoing, non-competitive, placid, and cool; associated with a longer lifespan.

Perspectives in Personality Development

Intellectual/Cognitive Development (e.g., Jean Piaget)
Psychosexual Development
Social Development

How Personality is Formed

No single definitive answer on the extent to which genetics and hereditary factors versus upbringing, environment, and experience shape personality exists.
Research suggests both nature and nurture play a role, with approximately half/half influences in most cases, but variable results person to person.
Personality changes throughout life.

Intellectual or Cognitive Development (Jean Piaget)

Children are active learners, constructing schemas about the world and assimilating and accommodating new information
Schemas (theories) are adapted for new situations (assimilation) or amended to fit new information (accommodation)

Psychodynamic Approach to Personality (Sigmund Freud)

The best-known psychodynamic approach to understanding personality.
Suggests that conscious, preconscious, and unconscious (repressed) levels of the mind interact and significantly inform personality

Freudian Theory of the Personality

The id (primitive, innate desires), ego (logic and reason), superego (moral standards)
Internal conflict between id, ego, and superego can influence personality

Psychosexual Stages

Oral (birth to 18 months): Erogenous zone = mouth; fixation results in dependent, attention-seeking, or aggressive personalities, and can manifest in later life as overeating, alcoholism or smoking.
Anal (18 months to 3 years): Erogenous zone = anus; fixation results in either a rigid, orderly, compulsively clean or a disorderly, destructive, and cruel personality.
Phallic (3 to 5 years): Erogenous zone = genitals; fixation potentially contributes to aspects of narcissism and disturbed relationships.
Latency (6 years to puberty): Psychosexual development pauses.
Genital (puberty onward): Person successfully negotiates prior stages, entering a mature adult phase.

Psychosocial Stages (Erik Erikson)

Trust vs. Mistrust (birth to 18 months): Cultivating trust or suspicion through relationships and caregiving
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (18 months to 3 years): Developing independence or feelings of inadequacy.
Initiative vs. Guilt (3 to 5 years): Developing a sense of purpose or feelings of inadequacy.
Industry vs. Inferiority (6 to 12 years): Developing competence or feelings of inadequacy
Identity vs. Role Confusion (12 to 20 years): Developing a sense of self or confusion regarding personal identity.
Intimacy vs. Isolation (20 to 40 years): Developing intimate relationships or feelings of isolation
Generativity vs. Stagnation (40 to 65 years): Contributing to the development of future generations or stagnation.
Ego Integrity vs. Despair (65+ years): Accomplishing meaning and sense of completion or despair.

Personality Disorders

Enduring, deeply ingrained maladaptive patterns of behavior or inner experience that deviate from cultural expectations
Manifest in various ways, including perceiving self and others, mood, and impulse control.
These patterns often cause significant impairment in social or occupational functioning and can cause either distress to the individual, or to others.
The DSM groups personality disorders into Clusters A (odd/eccentric), B (dramatic/erratic), and C (anxious/fearful).

Conclusion

Understanding diverse personalities enhances understanding of thoughts and emotions.
Self-understanding is improved.
Acceptance and interaction with others is increased.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores key concepts in the psychology of personality development, focusing on different stages of life from early childhood to late adulthood. It includes questions on temperament, personality disorders, and the psychological challenges faced at each developmental stage. Test your understanding of the definitions and characteristics that shape personality across the lifespan.