Personality

Question 1

Levels of consciousness

Answer 1

Unconscious; consists of deeply hidden memories and thoughts that cause urges and impulses
Pre conscious; easily retrievable thoughts and memories just under conscious thought
Consciousness; everything we are aware of at a time

Question 2

Freud - Anxiety

Answer 2

Occurs when there is conflict within the psyche
ego defences (repression, displacement) deal with anxiety

Question 3

Psychosexual Stages

Answer 3

Developmental stages each with a particular sexual focus
Oral Stage (0-1 years)
Anal Stage (0-3 years)
Phallic Stage (3-6 years)
Latency Stage (6-12 years)
Genital Stage (12+)

Question 4

Trait Theory - Allport

Answer 4

1897 - 1967

A trait is a generalised neurophysic system that makes environmental stimuli similar and guides consistent behaviour

Question 5

Cardinal Trait

Answer 5

An overriding trait that dictates all actions

eg Mother Theresa’s selflessness

Question 6

Central Trait

Answer 6

A tendency to think a certain way

eg. optimistic, honesty

Question 7

Secondary Trait

Answer 7

Appears in certain social situations

eg. quiet at school, extroverted in public

Question 8

Trait Theory - Eysenk

Answer 8

1916 - 1997
Personality is a stable, enduring organisation of character, temperament and intellect, which determines their adjustment to their environment

Question 9

Eysenk - Personality Factors

Answer 9

1985
Extraversion - Introversion
Stability - Instability
Psychotism (antisocial tendencies)

extraverted and stable = carefree, leader
extraverted and unstable = aggressive

Question 10

Humanistic Theories Overview

Answer 10

The belief that people are good and strive to reach their potential, resulting in personality

Question 11

Carl Rogers Self Theory

Answer 11

1902 - 1987

Personality develops through striving to achieve our potential, making the most of our skills

Question 12

Carl Rogers - Concept of self

Answer 12

To be well adjusted, there must be a good match between the true self, self image and real self

Question 13

Carl Rogers - Fully Functioning Person

Answer 13

Is open to experiences, lives in the present, trusts instincts, responsible, experiences unconditional positive regard

Question 14

Abraham Maslow - Heirarchy of Needs

Answer 14

1908 - 1970

To achieve self actualisation, we must satisfy lower order needs (basic, psychological, self fulfilment)

Question 15

Projective testing

Answer 15

The patient is required to interpret “meaningless” stimuli

• Thematic Appreciation Test
• Rorchach Ink Blot Test

Question 16

Thematic Appreciation Test

Answer 16

1943
Consists of 10 drawings, the patient must explain scenarios leading up to, during, and following the event
It reveals feelings about social relationships (Alvarado 1994)

Question 17

Rorstach Ink Blot Test

Answer 17

1920

5 black and white, 5 coloured cards that the patient must interpret, and their answers are then interpreted

Question 18

Advantages of Projective Testing

Answer 18

Difficult to fake answers
Able to gauge body language
Ink blot test is effective in detecting psychosis (Gallen 1996)

Question 19

Disadvantages of Projective Testing

Answer 19

Psychologists own personality can be projected into the results
Most people are diagnosed as mentally disturbed (Wood et al 2003)
Variability and reliability is poor

Question 20

Non Projective Testing

Answer 20

Self Reports; a personality profile is developed through responses to questions
Includes trick questions to check honesty
0-10 Rating scale

Question 21

Advantages of Self Reports

Answer 21

Objective
Easily compared
Can eliminate faking
Group testing
Simple scoring

Question 22

Disadvantages of Self Reports

Answer 22

Structured questions can inhibit deeper feelings
The questions are obvious - easy to provide socially acceptable questions
Focussed on trait and behaviours that don’t predict behaviour

Question 23

Freud - parts of the psyche

Answer 23

the id - irrational, pleasure seeking; completely unconscious
the ego - rational, develops around 2 due to environmental exposure; on all levels of consciousness
the super-ego - moralistic, develops around 5, blocks unacceptable urges from the id