Personalities PDF

Personalit y  The mind is often divided into three levels of awareness: the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious. Each level influences thoughts, behaviors, and decision-making in unique ways. Conscious Mind The conscious mind consists of thoughts, perceptions...

Personalit y  The mind is often divided into three levels of awareness: the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious. Each level influences thoughts, behaviors, and decision-making in unique ways. Conscious Mind The conscious mind consists of thoughts, perceptions, and feelings that we are currently aware of. It is responsible for logical thinking, decision- making, and deliberate (intentional) actions. Examples of the Conscious Mind: 1. Making a To-Do List: Actively thinking about tasks for the day and organizing them based on priority. 2. Solving a Math Problem: Concentrating on a complex calculation and applying learned formulas to find the answer. 3. Driving in Heavy Traffic: Staying aware of other cars, signals, and road conditions to navigate safely. 4. Preparing for a Presentation: Planning and rehearsing a speech, selecting specific words, and thinking about delivery. 5. Deciding on a Purchase: Considering the pros and cons of buying a product based on its features and cost. Subconscious Mind The subconscious mind contains information that we are not actively aware of at the moment but can easily bring to consciousness. It stores memories, habits, and automatic responses. Examples of the Subconscious Mind: 1. Typing on a Keyboard: You can type without consciously thinking about the location of each key, as muscle memory guides your fingers. 2. Riding a Bicycle: Once learned, the balance and coordination needed to ride become automatic, and you can ride without thinking about each movement. 3. Recalling a Song Lyric: Hearing a song can bring the lyrics to mind even if you hadn’t thought about the song in years. RESPONDING TO EATING COMFORT FOODS: SOMEONE’S TONE: IF TURNING TO SPECIFIC FOODS SOMEONE USES A HARSH WHEN STRESSED, BASED ON TONE, YOU MAY PAST ASSOCIATIONS, EVEN IF AUTOMATICALLY FEEL YOU’RE NOT AWARE OF THE DEFENSIVE WITHOUT CONNECTION. CONSCIOUSLY DECIDING TO FEEL THAT WAY.  Unconscious Mind The unconscious mind holds thoughts, memories, and desires that are not readily accessible to conscious awareness. It often influences behavior indirectly and can hold repressed memories or deep-seated beliefs. Examples of the Unconscious Mind: 1. Childhood Trauma Impacting Adult Relationships: Unresolved experiences from childhood may affect how you form and maintain relationships, even if you aren’t aware of the link. 2. Freudian Slips: Accidentally saying a word you didn’t mean to, which reveals an unconscious thought or desire (e.g., calling a partner by an ex’s name). 3. Unexplained Fears: Feeling an irrational fear of water despite never having a negative experience with it, possibly due to an unknown, repressed memory. 4. Self-Sabotage in Career: Unconsciously making choices that limit career success due to underlying feelings of unworthiness, even if you consciously want to succeed. 5. Projection of Emotions: Accusing someone of being angry when, in reality, you have repressed anger that you haven’t recognized within yourself. Structuring Personality: Id, Ego, And Superego The id is the primal part of the mind, driven by instinctual desires and the need for immediate gratification - (the immediate fulfillment of a person's needs or desires). It operates on the “pleasure principle,” seeking to fulfill basic urges related to survival, pleasure, and avoidance of pain. The id is entirely unconscious and does not consider consequences or societal norms. Examples of the Id 1. Impulsive Shopping: Feeling an intense desire to buy an expensive gadget immediately, regardless of your budget. 2. Eating a Whole Cake: Satisfying a craving by consuming an entire cake, driven purely by the pleasure of taste, with no thought of health consequences. 3. Skipping Work for Fun: Ignoring responsibilities and calling in sick to spend the day at the beach because you want immediate relaxation and enjoyment. 4. Lashing Out in Anger: Reacting impulsively with anger at someone who upsets you, not considering the aftermath or effect on relationships. 5. Choosing Comfort Over Work: Watching TV instead of completing an important task because it feels better in the moment.  Ego The ego is the rational, conscious part of the mind that mediates between the id and reality. It operates on the “reality principle,” which seeks to satisfy the id’s desires in a socially acceptable way. The ego considers the consequences of actions and aims to find a balance between the id’s demands and the rules imposed by the superego. Examples of the Ego 1. Saving Money For A Desired Item: Recognizing the desire to purchase something immediately but deciding to save up over time to avoid debt. 2. Eating A balanced diet: Wanting to eat A whole cake but deciding to have A small slice instead, balancing enjoyment with health concerns. 3. Prioritizing tasks at work: Feeling the urge to procrastinate but choosing to complete a work project first, then rewarding yourself with leisure time later. 4. Communicating anger constructively: Experiencing anger but deciding to discuss it calmly rather than reacting impulsively, maintaining relationships and avoiding conflict. 5. Going to bed on time: Wanting to stay up late watching tv but choosing to sleep early, understanding that getting enough rest is better for work productivity.  Superego The superego is the moral compass of the mind, representing internalized ideals, values, and societal standards. It seeks to control the id’s impulses by promoting ethical behavior and guilt when these standards are not met. The superego operates at both conscious and unconscious levels, influencing how we judge ourselves and others. it influences our thoughts, actions, and feelings about right and wrong, even when we are not actively aware of it. It represents internalized societal standards, moral values, and ideals, which we acquire through upbringing, culture, and personal experiences.  On a **conscious level**, the superego helps us make decisions based on our understanding of what is socially acceptable or morally right. For instance, when deciding not to lie because we believe honesty is important, we are aware of our moral reasoning and the values guiding our choice. In this way, the superego consciously impacts how we evaluate our own actions and the behavior of others, pushing us to align with our ethical standards.  At the **unconscious level**, the superego can affect our behavior without us realizing it, often in subtle or indirect ways. For example, if someone feels persistent guilt or anxiety without an obvious reason, it could be their unconscious superego judging them for not living up to an internalized standard or moral code. This can manifest as self-criticism, where a person may have an internal dialogue of negative self-assessment that influences their self-esteem, even if they’re not fully aware of its origins. Examples of the Superego 1. Resisting the Urge to Spend Impulsively: Feeling guilty about spending on unnecessary items, as it goes against your financial goals and values of self- discipline. 2. Choosing Healthy Foods: Even if you want to eat junk food, you opt for a healthy meal because it aligns with your values of self-care and responsibility. 3. Working Extra Hours Out of Duty: Staying late to finish work despite fatigue, as the superego insists on dedication and responsibility. 4. Apologizing for Lashing Out: Feeling remorseful after reacting angrily and taking steps to apologize, as your superego aligns with the value of treating others respectfully. 5. Volunteering Out of a Sense of Duty: Spending time helping others even when it’s inconvenient, driven by a strong sense of moral duty and the desire to uphold personal values. Psychodynamic Approach to Personality Definition The psychodynamic approach to personality is a theoretical framework that emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind, early life experiences, and internal conflicts on personality development and behavior. This approach is rooted in the belief that individuals are often driven by unconscious motives and desires, and that these unconscious elements can shape their thoughts, feelings, and actions.  Origin The psychodynamic approach originated with Sigmund Freud in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Freud's theory, known as psychoanalysis, proposed that the mind is divided into three parts: the id, ego, and superego. These parts interact and can create conflicts that shape personality and behavior. Freud also introduced the idea that early childhood experiences and unconscious desires greatly influence personality development.  Later theorists like Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, and Erik Erikson expanded upon Freud's ideas. They introduced concepts such as collective unconscious, inferiority complex, and psychosocial stages, which diversified the psychodynamic approach and made it applicable to various fields, including psychology and business psychology. Freud’s Defense Mechanisms Examples Defense Mechanisms: Psychodynamic theory suggests that people use defense mechanisms, such as repression and denial, to protect themselves from uncomfortable thoughts or feelings. For example, a person who experienced trauma in childhood may unconsciously repress those memories, which can influence their adult relationships and behavior.  Authority Figures and Transference: In the workplace, an employee might unconsciously project feelings they have towards a parental figure onto their boss. For example, if an employee had a critical father, they might perceive their supervisor as overly critical, even if this is not the case, which could affect their work performance and interactions.  Freud’s Defense Mechanisms Repression: Definition: Repression is a defense mechanism where the mind unconsciously pushes distressing thoughts, memories, or desires out of conscious awareness. This helps to avoid feelings of anxiety or discomfort. Example 1: A person who experienced trauma may have no conscious recollection of it, as their mind has repressed those painful memories. Example 2: A manager avoids making tough decisions because they subconsciously repress memories of failure or criticism from past experiences. This defense mechanism can prevent them from effectively handling difficult situations in the workplace. Projection Definition: Projection is when someone takes their own unwanted thoughts, feelings, or urges and believes they actually belong to someone else. This helps them feel less anxious by shifting their inner conflicts onto others. Example 1: Someone who is angry at a coworker might accuse the coworker of being hostile, projecting their own feelings onto them. Example 2: An employee who is insecure about their skills might project these insecurities onto a colleague, perceiving them as incompetent. This can create conflict and tension within a team, affecting overall productivity and morale. Denial: Definition: Denial is a defense mechanism where a person refuses to accept reality or facts, thereby avoiding painful feelings or events. It’s a way to protect oneself from unpleasant truths. Example 1: An individual might deny having a drinking problem, even if it’s evident to others, to avoid confronting the issue. Example 2: A business leader may receive feedback about their aggressive leadership style but denies that it has any negative impact. This denial can hinder personal growth and create a toxic work environment, as employees might feel unappreciated or demotivated.  Regression Definition: Regression occurs when an individual reverts to behaviors from an earlier stage of development when faced with stress or anxiety. It serves as a retreat to a time when they felt more secure. Example 1: An adult under severe stress might start exhibiting childlike behaviors, such as sulking (to be silent and refuse to smile or be pleasant to people because you are angry about something that they have done) or seeking excessive reassurance. Example 2: When faced with a high-stress situation, such as a major project deadline, an employee might regress to a more childlike state, becoming overly dependent on their peers or superiors for guidance. This behavior can stem from unconscious memories of stressful events in their youth. Sublimation: Definition: Sublimation is a defense mechanism where someone takes a negative or harmful urge and turns it into something positive or helpful. It’s like finding a good way to deal with a bad feeling or impulse. Example 1: Someone with aggressive tendencies might channel that energy into a career in competitive sports, where such behaviors are valued. Example 2: An individual with aggressive tendencies might channel these impulses into a competitive career, such as sales or litigation, where their aggressive traits are rewarded. This is an example of sublimation, where socially unacceptable impulses are transformed into acceptable, even beneficial, actions within a business context.  Displacement: Definition: Redirecting emotions or impulses from their original target to a safer, substitute target. Example: After a frustrating day at work, a person might come home and take out their anger on a family member instead of addressing the issue at work.  Rationalization: Definition: Justifying or explaining an unacceptable behavior or feeling in a rational or logical manner to avoid confronting the true reasons. Example: A student who cheats on an exam might rationalize it by saying, “Everyone cheats, so it’s not a big deal.”  Reaction Formation: Definition: Acting in a way that is directly opposite to one’s unacceptable thoughts or feelings, often to keep those feelings hidden. Example: A person who feels insecure about their social status might act overly confident and boastful to cover up their insecurity. Example: Matt is attracted to Ben but outwardly voices disapproval and dislike homosexual  Suppression: Definition: Consciously pushing distressing thoughts or feelings out of awareness, unlike repression, which is unconscious. Example: A person who is going through a difficult breakup might deliberately avoid thinking about their ex by staying busy with work or hobbies.  Psychosexual Age Psychosexual Age refers to stages in Freud’s theory of psychosexual development, which posits that individuals progress through five stages from infancy to adulthood, each focused on different erogenous zones. According to Freud, how individuals navigate these stages influences their personality and behavior later in life. He believed that unresolved conflicts or fixations at any stage could lead to specific personality traits or behaviors in adulthood. Oral Stage (0-1 years) Focus: Mouth (sucking, chewing, biting) Key Task: Weaning from breastfeeding or bottle- feeding. oral gratification (The pleasure derived from oral activities such as smoking, drinking, chewing, biting, talking, kissing, and orogenital activity (stimulation of the genitalia by the mouth or tongue-oral  Example: An adult fixated at this stage might exhibit behaviors related to oral gratification, such as overeating, smoking, or nail-biting. Example 1: An adult who frequently chews gum or bites their nails may have an oral fixation stemming from this stage. Freud believed that this behavior reflects unresolved needs for oral stimulation. Example 2: Someone who relies heavily on others for emotional support and comfort, often engaging in comfort eating, might have lingering issues from the oral stage, where they associate the mouth with security and satisfaction. Anal Stage (1-3 years) Focus: Anus (controlling bowel and bladder movements) Key Task: Toilet training, which introduces the need for self- control. Example: A fixation at this stage may result in traits such as excessive orderliness and cleanliness (anal-retentive) or, conversely, messiness and rebelliousness (anal-expulsive).  Example 1: An individual who is overly meticulous, rigid, and concerned with order and control (sometimes called “anal-retentive”) may have unresolved conflicts from this stage. This might relate to strict toilet training or a strong need for autonomy during early childhood. Example 2: Conversely, an adult who is extremely messy and disorganized (often described as “anal- expulsive”) may also have fixation from the anal stage, possibly resulting from lenient toilet training or a rebellion against control. Phallic Stage (3-6 years) Focus: Genitals (understanding and exploring gender differences) Key Task: Resolving the Oedipus or Electra complex, where the child feels attraction toward the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent. Example: Freud believed that unresolved issues at this stage could result in adult difficulties with authority figures or problems in romantic relationships. Oedipus Complex Definition: The Oedipus Complex describes a boy's unconscious desire for his mother and rivalry with his father. Named after the Greek myth Oedipus, who killed his father and married his mother, it reflects these conflicting feelings. Manifestation: Boys may feel attracted to their mothers while competing with their fathers, experiencing anxiety about potential punishment (castration anxiety). Resolution: Successful resolution involves identifying with the father, which helps the boy develop gender identity and moral values.  Electra Complex Definition: The Electra Complex is the female counterpart to the Oedipus Complex, where a girl feels attracted to her father and competes with her mother for his attention. Manifestation: Girls may experience "penis envy," feeling inferior for not having a penis and believing they cannot compete with their mothers. Resolution: Resolution occurs when girls identify with their mothers, which aids in developing a feminine identity and understanding gender roles.  Example 1: A person who consistently seeks attention and validation from authority figures, or who is overly competitive, may have unresolved issues from the phallic stage related to the Oedipus or Electra complex, in which they vied for the affection of the opposite-sex parent. Example 2: An adult who has difficulty establishing romantic relationships due to feelings of inadequacy or jealousy might be grappling with unresolved conflicts from this stage, particularly around developing a healthy sexual identity. Latency Stage (6- puberty) Focus: Sexual impulses are dormant as the child focuses on social and intellectual skills. Key Task: Developing friendships, hobbies, and learning social skills. Example: Children in this stage are typically more focused on peer relationships and schooling, without significant psychosexual conflicts. Fixation is less common here, but lack of social development might lead to difficulties in adult social interactions.  Example 1: A child who becomes intensely focused on hobbies, sports, or academics, rather than on relationships, is in the latency stage. They channel their energy into skill-building and learning, with little to no focus on psychosexual issues. Example 2: An adult who exhibits a lack of social skills or struggles to form friendships might have experienced difficulties during the latency stage, potentially due to insufficient peer interaction or limited opportunities to develop social competencies.  Genital Stage (puberty onward) Focus: Maturing sexual interests and relationships. Key Task: Establishing balanced relationships with others and focusing on mature sexual relationships. Example: Successfully reaching this stage with minimal fixation at earlier stages enables individuals to develop healthy, fulfilling relationships. Unresolved issues from earlier stages might manifest as difficulties with intimacy or emotional closeness.  Example 1: A young adult who successfully navigates this stage may form stable, intimate relationships and be capable of balancing their own needs with those of others. This reflects a healthy resolution of previous stages and an ability to engage in mature, reciprocal relationships. Example 2: An adult who struggles with intimacy and finds it challenging to maintain relationships may have unresolved issues from earlier stages that prevent their ability to fully engage in the genital stage. This could manifest as a fear of commitment or difficulty trusting others.