Psychology Theories

Psychoanalytic Theory

• Developed by Sigmund Freud
• Focuses on the role of the unconscious mind and childhood experiences in shaping personality
• Key concepts:
  • Id: primitive, instinctual part of the personality
  • Ego: rational, logical part of the personality
  • Superego: moral component of the personality
  • Defense mechanisms: coping strategies used to deal with stress and anxiety (e.g. repression, denial)

Trait Theory

• Focuses on identifying and measuring individual personality traits
• Key concepts:
  • Traits: stable patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior
  • Five-factor model: personality can be described in terms of five broad dimensions (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism)
  • Type theory: categorizes individuals into specific personality types (e.g. introvert, extrovert)

Biological Theory

• Focuses on the role of genetics and neurotransmitters in personality
• Key concepts:
  • Genetic influence: personality traits can be inherited
  • Neurotransmitters: chemicals that transmit signals between neurons (e.g. serotonin, dopamine)
  • Temperament: innate personality characteristics (e.g. extraversion, neuroticism)

Humanistic Theory

• Developed by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow
• Focuses on the inherent goodness and potential of individuals
• Key concepts:
  • Self-actualization: realization of one's full potential
  • Unconditional positive regard: acceptance and support of individuals without judgment
  • Personal growth: development of a person's unique qualities and abilities

Social Learning Theory

• Developed by Albert Bandura
• Focuses on the role of observation, imitation, and reinforcement in shaping personality
• Key concepts:
  • Observational learning: learning through observation and imitation
  • Reinforcement: consequences of behavior (e.g. reward, punishment)
  • Modeling: learning through observing others

Cognitive Theory

• Focuses on the role of thought processes and cognitive patterns in personality
• Key concepts:
  • Cognitive distortions: negative thought patterns (e.g. all-or-nothing thinking)
  • Schema: mental frameworks that guide perception and interpretation
  • Self-efficacy: confidence in one's abilities and judgment

Psychoanalytic Theory

• Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalytic theory, which emphasizes the unconscious mind and childhood experiences in shaping personality.
• The unconscious mind contains repressed thoughts, feelings, and memories that influence behavior.
• The structure of personality consists of the id, ego, and superego.
• The id is the primitive, instinctual part of personality that seeks immediate gratification.
• The ego is the rational, logical part of personality that mediates between the id and reality.
• The superego is the moral component of personality that incorporates social norms and values.
• Defense mechanisms, such as repression and denial, are coping strategies used to deal with stress and anxiety.

Trait Theory

• Trait theory focuses on identifying and measuring individual personality traits.
• Traits are stable patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior.
• The five-factor model describes personality in terms of five broad dimensions: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
• Type theory categorizes individuals into specific personality types, such as introverts and extroverts.
• Traits are relatively consistent across situations and time.

Biological Theory

• Biological theory emphasizes the role of genetics and neurotransmitters in personality.
• Genetic factors influence personality traits, and certain traits can be inherited.
• Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, transmit signals between neurons and affect mood and behavior.
• Temperament refers to innate personality characteristics, such as extraversion and neuroticism.

Humanistic Theory

• Humanistic theory, developed by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, focuses on the inherent goodness and potential of individuals.
• Self-actualization is the realization of one's full potential and is a primary human motivation.
• Unconditional positive regard involves accepting and supporting individuals without judgment.
• Personal growth involves the development of a person's unique qualities and abilities.

Social Learning Theory

• Social learning theory, developed by Albert Bandura, emphasizes the role of observation, imitation, and reinforcement in shaping personality.
• Observational learning occurs through observing and imitating others.
• Reinforcement, such as reward or punishment, influences behavior.
• Modeling involves learning through observing others, and can lead to the adoption of new behaviors.

Cognitive Theory

• Cognitive theory focuses on the role of thought processes and cognitive patterns in personality.
• Cognitive distortions, such as all-or-nothing thinking, can lead to negative emotions and behaviors.
• Schemas are mental frameworks that guide perception and interpretation of the world.
• Self-efficacy refers to confidence in one's abilities and judgment.

This quiz covers two fundamental theories in psychology: Psychoanalytic Theory developed by Sigmund Freud and Trait Theory. Learn about the role of the unconscious mind, key concepts, and defense mechanisms in shaping personality.