Unit 10

Question 1

Free association

Answer 1

In psychoanalysis, a method of exploring the unconscious in which the person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind, no matter how trivial or embarrassing.

Question 2

Psychoanalysis

Answer 2

Freud’s theory of personality that attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts; the techniques used in treating psychological disorders by seeking to expose and interpret unconscious tensions.

Question 3

Unconscious

Answer 3

According to Freud, a reservoir of most unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories. According to contemporary psychologists, information processing of which we are unaware.

Question 4

Id

Answer 4

A reservoir of unconscious psychic energy that, according to Freud, strives to satisfy basic sexual and aggressive drives. The id operates on the pleasure principle, demanding immediate gratification.

Question 5

Ego

Answer 5

The largely conscious, “executive” part of personality that, according to Freud, mediates among the demands of the superego, and reality. The ego operates on the reality principle, satisfying the id’s desires in ways that will realistically bring pleasure rather than pain.

Question 6

Superego

Answer 6

The part of personality that, according to Freud, represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgement (the conscience) and for future aspirations.

Question 7

Psychosexual stages

Answer 7

The childhood stages of development (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital) during which, according to Freud, the id’s pleasure-seeking energies focus on distinct erogenous zones.

Question 8

Oedipus complex

Answer 8

According to Freud, a boy’s sexual desires toward his mother and feelings of jealousy and hatred for the rival father.

Question 9

Identification

Answer 9

The process by which, according to Freud, children incorporate their parents’ values into their developing superegos.

Question 10

Fixation

Answer 10

According to Freud, a lingering focus of pleasure-seeking energies at an earlier psychosexual stage, in which conflicts were unresolved.

Question 11

Defense mechanisms

Answer 11

In psychoanalytic theory, the ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality.

Question 12

Repression

Answer 12

In psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories.

Question 13

Personality

Answer 13

An individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.

Question 14

Psychodynamic theories

Answer 14

Modern-day approaches that view personality with a focus on the unconscious and the importance of childhood experiences.

Question 15

Collective unconscious

Answer 15

Carl Jung’s concept of a shared, inherited reservoir of memory traces from our species’ history.

Question 16

Projective test

Answer 16

A personality test, such as the Rorschach, that provides ambiguous stimuli designed to trigger projection of one’s inner dynamics.

Question 17

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

Answer 17

A projective test in which people express their inner feelings and interests through the stories they make up about ambiguous scenes.

Question 18

Rorschach inkblot test

Answer 18

The most widely used projective test, a set of 10 inkblots, designed by Hermann Rorschach; seeks to identify people’s inner feelings by analyzing their interpretations of the blots.

Question 19

False consensus effect

Answer 19

The tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share our beliefs and our behaviors.

Question 20

Terror-management theory

Answer 20

A theory of death-related anxiety; explores people’s emotional and behavioral responses to reminders of their impending death.

Question 21

Humanistic theories

Answer 21

View personality with a focus on the potential for healthy personal growth.

Question 22

Self-actualization

Answer 22

According to Maslow, one of the ultimate psychological needs that arises after basic physical and psychological needs are met and self-esteem is achieved; the motivation to fulfill one’s potential.

Question 23

Unconditional positive regard

Answer 23

According to Rogers, an attitude of total acceptance toward another person.

Question 24

Self-concept

Answer 24

All our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in answer to the question, “Who am I?”

Question 25

Trait

Answer 25

A characteristic pattern of behavior or a disposition to feel and act, as assessed by self-report inventories and peer reports.

Question 26

Personality inventory

Answer 26

A questionnaire (often with true-false or agree-disagree items) on which people respond to items designed to gauge a wide range of feelings and behaviors; used to assess selected personality traits.

Question 27

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

Answer 27

The most widely researched and clinically used of all personality tests. Originally developed to identify emotional disorders (still considered its most appropriate use), this test is now used for many other screening purposes.

Question 28

Empirically derived test

Answer 28

A test (such as the MMPI) developed by testing a pool of items and then selecting those that discriminate between groups.

Question 29

Social-cognitive perspective

Answer 29

Views behavior as influenced by the interaction between people’s traits (including their thinking) and their social context.

Question 30

Behavioral approach

Answer 30

In personality theory, this perspective focuses on the effects of learning on our personality development.

Question 31

Reciprocal determinism

Answer 31

The interacting influences of behavior, internal cognition, and environment.

Question 32

Positive psychology

Answer 32

The scientific study of optimal human functioning; aims to discover and promote strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

Question 33

Self

Answer 33

In contemporary psychology, assumed to be the center of personality, the organizer of our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Question 34

Spotlight effect

Answer 34

Overestimating others’ noticing and evaluating our appearance, performance, and blunders (as if we presume a spotlight shines on us).

Question 35

Self-esteem

Answer 35

One’s feelings of high or low self-worth.

Question 36

Self-efficacy

Answer 36

One’s sense of competence and effectiveness.

Question 37

Self-serving bias

Answer 37

A readiness to perceive oneself favorably.

Question 38

Narcissism

Answer 38

Excessive self-love and self-absorption.

Question 39

Individualism

Answer 39

Giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications.

Question 40

Collectivism

Answer 40

Giving priority to the goals of one’s group (often one’s extended family or work group) and defining one’s identity accordingly.