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Theories of Personality Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the definition of personality?

A

A pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to human behavior

Derived from the Latin word ‘persona’, meaning the mask people wear or the role they play in life.

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2
Q

What differentiates a theory from a philosophy?

A

Theory is a set of related assumptions used to generate research and organize observations, while philosophy is a broader term encompassing the love of wisdom

Epistemology, a branch of philosophy, relates to the nature of knowledge.

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3
Q

What is the relationship between theory and hypothesis?

A

A theory is more general than a hypothesis and may generate a multitude of hypotheses

Hypotheses are educated guesses derived from theories.

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4
Q

Why is falsifiability important in a theory?

A

Falsifiability allows a theory to generate research that can confirm or disconfirm its major tenets.

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5
Q

What are the criteria of a useful theory?

A
  • Generates research
  • Is falsifiable
  • Organizes and explains data
  • Guides action
  • Is internally consistent
  • Is parsimonious
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6
Q

What dimensions are used to compare conceptions of humanity in personality theory?

A
  • Determinism versus free choice
  • Pessimism versus optimism
  • Causality versus teleology
  • Conscious versus unconscious determinants of behavior
  • Biological versus social influences on personality
  • Uniqueness versus similarities among people
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7
Q

Define reliability in the context of personality research.

A

Reliability refers to a measuring instrument’s consistency, including test-retest reliability and internal consistency.

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8
Q

Define validity in the context of personality research.

A

Validity refers to the accuracy or truthfulness of a test, including predictive validity and construct validity.

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9
Q

How have different personal backgrounds influenced personality theories?

A

Psychologists have developed various personality theories due to differences in personal background, philosophical orientation, and data chosen for observation.

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10
Q

What is the role of controlled observations in theory development?

A

Controlled observations allow scientists to speculate on the meaning of human behavior and contribute to the formation of theories.

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11
Q

True or False: A taxonomy generates hypotheses.

A

False

Taxonomies are classification systems that do not generate hypotheses.

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12
Q

How may Freud’s childhood experiences have influenced his theory of personality?

A

Freud’s childhood experiences likely informed his understanding of human behavior and mental processes.

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13
Q

Was Freud scientific in his writings?

A

Debate exists regarding the scientific nature of Freud’s writings.

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14
Q

What are the three levels of mental life according to Freud?

A
  • Unconscious
  • Preconscious
  • Conscious
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15
Q

What are the three provinces of the mind in Freud’s theory?

A
  • Id
  • Ego
  • Superego
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16
Q

What does Freud’s concept of instincts include?

A
  • Sexual instincts
  • Aggressive instincts
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17
Q

Why is anxiety important in psychoanalytic theory?

A

Anxiety plays a crucial role in understanding the dynamics of personality and defense mechanisms.

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18
Q

List the Freudian defense mechanisms.

A
  • Repression
  • Reaction Formation
  • Displacement
  • Fixation
  • Regression
  • Projection
  • Introjection
  • Sublimation
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19
Q

What are the psychosexual stages of development?

A
  • Oral Stage
  • Anal Stage
  • Phallic Stage
  • Latency Period
  • Genital Period
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20
Q

What is the Oedipus complex?

A

A concept where a child has sexual feelings for one parent and hostile feelings for the other.

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21
Q

What does Freud’s concept of women entail?

A

Debate exists regarding the accuracy of Freud’s views on women.

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22
Q

How did Freud’s therapeutic technique change over time?

A
  • Early technique: Aggressive suggestions of childhood seduction
  • Later technique: Passive approach using free association and dream interpretation
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23
Q

What is Freud’s concept of dreams?

A

Dreams are wish-fulfillments that reveal unconscious desires.

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24
Q

What recent research relates to Freud’s concept of dreams?

A

Studies show that repressed wishes manifest in dreams.

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25
What are Freud's three levels of mental functioning?
* Unconscious * Preconscious * Conscious
26
What is the primary process in Freud's theory?
The way the id operates, seeking immediate gratification.
27
What is the reality principle?
The guiding principle of the ego that seeks to satisfy the id's desires in realistic ways.
28
What is the difference between the conscience and the ego-ideal?
* Conscience: Derived from punishment for improper behavior * Ego-ideal: Derived from rewards for socially acceptable behavior
29
What is neurotic anxiety?
Anxiety stemming from the ego's relation with the id.
30
What is moral anxiety?
Anxiety related to the ego's relation with the superego, akin to guilt.
31
What is realistic anxiety?
Anxiety produced by the ego's relation with the real world, similar to fear.
32
What is fixation in Freud's theory?
The blocking of psychic energy at a stage of development, hindering psychological change.
33
What is regression?
The reversion to earlier, more infantile modes of behavior.
34
What is projection?
Seeing in others the unacceptable feelings or behaviors that reside in one's own unconscious.
35
What is introjection?
Incorporating positive qualities of another person into one's own ego to reduce feelings of inferiority.
36
What is sublimation?
Elevating the sexual instinct's aim to a higher level for societal contributions.
37
What characterizes the infantile period in psychosexual development?
* Oral Phase * Anal Phase * Phallic Phase
38
What is the latency period?
A stage from about age 5 until puberty where sexual instincts are partially suppressed.
39
What occurs during the genital period?
A reawakening of the genital aim of Eros begins with puberty.
40
What is Freud's concept of maturity?
A stage where the ego controls the id and superego, allowing consciousness to play a significant role.
41
What did Freud believe about Freudian slips?
They reveal a person's true but unconscious intentions.
42
How does Freud's theory rate on falsifiability?
It rates very low on falsifiability as many findings can be explained by other theories.
43
What recent research supports Freud's notion of unconscious motivation?
Neuroscience studies confirm much of human behavior is unconsciously determined.
44
What is Freud's deterministic view of humanity?
He emphasized unconscious determinants over conscious processes.
45
What are the two types of striving according to Adler?
Striving for superiority and striving for success
46
What role do subjective perceptions play in Adler's theory of personality?
They shape behavior and personality
47
How may seemingly contradictory behaviors reflect a single goal in Adler's theory?
They can be understood as directed toward striving for superiority
48
Define social interest in Adlerian psychology.
A feeling of oneness with all of humanity
49
What is organ dialect?
Using a physical disorder to express style of life
50
Define causality and teleology as discussed by Adler.
Causality refers to past causes, while teleology refers to future goals
51
What is meant by style of life in Adlerian theory?
The manner of a person's striving
52
List three types of Adlerian safeguarding tendencies.
* Excuses * Aggression * Withdrawal
53
What does Adler suggest about birth order?
It influences personality and behavior
54
How does Adler's view of women compare with Freud's?
Adler had a more democratic attitude, whereas Freud believed anatomy is destiny
55
Summarize recent research findings on early recollections.
Early memories reflect a person's current view of the world
56
Critique Adler's ideas as a scientific theory.
Lacks operational definitions, low internal consistency, and low falsification
57
What was Adler's stance on the dynamic force behind people's behavior?
Striving for success or superiority
58
What does Adler mean by the 'final goal' in personality?
The unifying aim of success or superiority
59
What are the two courses of the striving force?
* Personal gain (superiority) * Community benefit (success)
60
What is the significance of physical inferiorities in Adler's theory?
They stimulate feelings of inferiority and motivate striving for completion
61
What does Adler mean by the unity and self-consistency of personality?
All behaviors are directed toward a single purpose
62
What is the role of consciousness in Adler's view of personality?
Conscious and unconscious processes work toward a single goal
63
Define creative power in the context of Adlerian theory.
The ability to freely choose a course of action
64
What are the three factors related to abnormal development according to Adler?
* Exaggerated physical defects * Pampered style of life * Neglected style of life
65
What is the 'masculine protest' in Adler's theory?
Overemphasis on being manly, affecting both genders
66
How does Adler relate family constellation to style of life?
People's perception of their family fit relates to their style of life
67
What is the purpose of early recollections in Adlerian psychology?
To reveal a person's current style of life
68
What role do dreams play in Adler's theory?
They provide clues to solving future problems
69
What is the main goal of Adlerian therapy?
To foster social interest in the patient
70
What does Adler's theory rate high on?
Free choice, social influences, uniqueness, optimism, and teleology
71
Fill in the blank: According to Adler, the lack of _______ is the most important factor in abnormal development.
social interest
72
How did Jung's experiences with women influence his concept of personality?
Jung's interactions with women may have shaped his understanding of personality complexities. ## Footnote Jung's personal relationships likely informed his theories, including the development of his anima concept.
73
What is the importance of Jung's encounter with his anima?
It was crucial for understanding the integration of masculine and feminine aspects of the self.
74
What are the Jungian levels of the psyche?
The psyche consists of: * Conscious * Personal Unconscious * Collective Unconscious
75
What is the collective unconscious?
It contains images and experiences beyond personal experiences, originating from ancestral experiences.
76
List eight major archetypes identified by Jung.
* Persona * Shadow * Anima * Animus * Great Mother * Wise Old Man * Hero * Self
77
What are Jung's two major attitudes?
* Introversion * Extraversion
78
Identify the four functions in Jung's theory.
* Thinking * Feeling * Sensation * Intuition
79
What are Jung's stages of personality development?
The stages are: * Childhood * Youth * Middle Life * Old Age
80
What is Jung's concept of dreams?
Dreams reflect the unconscious and can explain past events and inform future decisions.
81
True or False: Jung believed that the dynamic principles of psychic energy are similar to physical energy.
True
82
What is the difference between causality and teleology according to Jung?
Causality relates to past experiences; teleology relates to future expectations.
83
What is the role of progression and regression in Jung's theory?
Progression is adaptation to the external world; regression is adaptation to the internal world.
84
Fill in the blank: The four functions in Jung's theory are thinking, feeling, sensation, and _______.
intuition
85
What is self-realization in Jung's theory?
It is the integration of various parts of the psyche into a unified individual.
86
What methods did Jung use in his investigation?
* Word Association Test * Dream Analysis * Active Imagination
87
What does the word association test aim to uncover?
It aims to reveal complexes embedded in the personal unconscious.
88
What does Jung mean by 'active imagination'?
A technique where the patient concentrates on an image until it transforms into different forms.
89
What is the goal of Jungian therapy?
To help neurotic patients become healthy and guide healthy individuals towards self-realization.
90
What is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)?
A tool used to examine psychological types based on Jungian theory.
91
How does Jungian psychology rate as a scientific theory?
It rates below average on generating research and very low on falsification.
92
What does Jung's concept of humanity emphasize?
People are complex beings shaped by conscious and unconscious experiences, including ancestral influences.

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