Personality: Theory, Research, and Assessment

Transcription

1 Personality: Theory, Research, and Assessment

2 Personality Types Type A individuals can be described as impatient, excessively time-conscious, insecure about their status, highly competitive, hostile and aggressive, and incapable of relaxation. They are often high achieving workaholics who can multi-task, drive themselves with deadlines, and are unhappy about the smallest of delays. Because of these characteristics, Type A individuals are often described as "stress junkies." Type B individuals, in contrast, are described as patient, relaxed, and easy-going.

3 The Nature of Personality Defining personality: Consistency and Distinctiveness The concept of personality is used to explain The stability in a person s behavior over time and across situations (consistency) The behavioral differences among people reacting to the same situation (distinctiveness) Personality- individual s unique constellation of behavioral traits.

4 Personality Traits: Dispositions and Dimensions Personality trait- durable disposition to behave in a particular way in situations. Ex. Bill is timid Factor analysis- correlations among many variables are analyzed to identify closely related clusters of variables. (Spearman) All abilities and personalities are based on general intelligence.(g) incorrect

5 John Holland

6 Carl Jung

7 Cattells 16 factor personality inventory hringer.html

8 Psychodynamic Perspectives Psychodynamic theories- include all the diverse theories descended from the work of Sigmund Freud, which focus on unconscious mental forces. Unconscious conflicts in early childhood cause problems in ones personality which may lead to mental illness.

9 Freud s Psychoanalytic Theory Freud developed psychoanalysis which required lengthy verbal interactions with patients. Freud s psychoanalytic theory grew out of his decades of interactions with clients in psychoanalysis.

10 Structure of Personality Id- instinctive component of personality that operates according to the pleasure principle. Pleasure principle- demands immediate gratification of its urges/libido Ego-the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle/mediator Reality principle- seeks to delay gratification Superego- moral component of personality that incorporates what's right and wrong.

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12 Levels of Awareness Conscious- consists of whatever one is aware of at a particular point in time. Ex. train of thought of this text Preconscious- contains material just beneath the surface of awareness that can easily be retrieved. Ex. Your middle name Unconscious- contains thoughts memories, and desires that are well below the surface of conscious awareness Ex. childhood trauma

13 Anxiety and Defense Mechanisms Defense mechanisms- largely unconscious reactions that protect a person from unpleasant emotions to ward off anxiety. Rationalization- creating false but plausible excuses to justify unacceptable behavior. Ex. stealing then saying, well everyone does it. Repression- keeping distressing thoughts and feelings buried in the unconscious. Ex. Forgetting a bad experience.

14 Projection- attributing one s own thoughts, feelings, or motives to another. Ex. a woman doesn't like her boss. because she feels her boss does not like her. Displacement- diverting emotional feelings (usually anger) from their original source to a substitute target. ex. Bad day at work, takes it out on kids. Reaction formation- behaving in a way that is the opposite of one s true feelings. Ex. Killing them with kindness

15 Regression- a reversion to immature patterns of behavior Ex. An adult has a temper tantrum when he doesn t get his way. Identification- bolstering self-esteem by forming an imaginary or real alliance with some person or group. Ex. A kidnapped child creates a bond with their kidnapper. Sublimation-Re-channel their unacceptable impulses towards more acceptable or socially approved activities. ex. Channel feeling of homosexuality into aggressive sports play.

16 Development: Psychosexual Stages Oral- (ages 0-1) Mouth (sucking, biting) Oral fixation, trust Anal-(ages 2-3) Anus (expelling or retaining feces) Anal retentive personality, controlling personality. Type A Phallic-(ages 4-5) Genitals (sexual urges) Sexuality complications, homosexual/heterosexual, identification with parent of opposite gender. Latency-(ages 6-12) None (sexually repressed) Social issues, identification with parent of same gender. Genital-(puberty onward-reproduction urges) Attachment issues, love

17 Jung s Analytical Psychology Personal unconscious- houses material that is not within one s conscious awareness because it has been repressed or forgotten. Jung discovered the existence of a deeper layer called the collective unconscious. Collective unconscious- storehouse of latent memory traces inherited from people s ancestral past. According to Jung people share this with the entire human race.

18 Archetypes- emotionally charged images and thoughts that have universal meaning. Introverts- tend to be preoccupied with the internal world of their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Private, quiet, shy, withdrawn, followers Extraverts- tend to be interested in the external world of people and things. Outgoing, leaders, higher self-esteem It is good to be a chameleon when necessary.

19 Adler s Individual Psychology Striving for superiority- a universal drive to adapt, improve oneself, and master life s challenges Initially through birth order. Compensation- involves efforts to overcome imagined or real inferiorities by developing one s abilities. You constantly try to conquer inferiority to feel superior.

20 Behavioral Perspectives Behaviorism- a theoretical orientation based on the premise that scientific psychology should study only observable behavior. Personality traits that are rewarded increase. Personality traits that are ignored or that are associated with a consequence decrease. Simple as that!!

21 Bandura s Social Cognitive theory Personality is modeled Bandura originally called his modified band of behaviorism social learning theory. Bandura refers to his model as social cognitive theory. Reciprocal determinism- the idea that internal mental events, external environmental events, and overt behavior all influence one another.

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23 Observational learningoccurs when an organism s responding is influenced by the observation of others, who are called models. According to Bandura, both classical and operant conditioning can occur vicariously when one person observes another s conditioning. Model- a person whose behavior is observed by another.

24 Internal Locus of Control- The perception that one controls one s own fate. External Locus of Control-The perception that chance or outside forces beyond one s personal control determine one s fate. Learned helplessness- The hopelessness and passive resignation an animal or human learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events.

25 Mischel and the Person-Situation Controversy Mischel is an advocate of social learning theory. According to the Social learning theory, people try to gauge the reinforcement contingencies and adjust their behavior to the circumstances. Ex. You work harder if the reinforcement is greater. problems: burn out, external rewards don t last forever, adjustment time and consistencies change.

26 Humanistic Perspectives Humanism- a theoretical orientation that emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, especially their free will and their potential for personal growth. Humanistic theorists take an optimistic view of human nature People can rise above their primitive animal heritage and control their biological urges. People are largely conscious and rational beings who are not dominated by unconscious, irrational needs and conflicts. We can choose our personality.

27 Roger s Person-Centered Theory People are basically good. We need genuineness, acceptance (Unconditional positive regard) and empathy to grow. Roger s approach is called a person-centered theory. Personality is determined due to a lack of congruence between selfconcept and actual experiences. One s self-concept can determine ones personality. Self-concept- a collection of beliefs about one s own nature, unique qualities, and typical behavior. Ex. Beliefs such as I am a good person. Incongruence- the degree of disparity between one s selfconcept and one s actual experience

28 Maslow s Theory of Self-Actualization Hierarchy of needs- a systematic arrangement of needs, according to priority, in which basic needs must be met before less basic needs are aroused Need for self-actualization- which is the need to fullfill one s potential; it is the highest need in Maslow s motivational hierarchy. Maslow summarized this with the statement: what a man can be, he must be.

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31 Biological Perspectives Eysenck s Theory Twin, family, and adoption studies of heritability; factor analysis studies of personality structure. Genetic Eysenck described personality structure as a hierarchy of traits, with specific traits derived from more fundamental, general traits. Survival of the fittest. Personality traits that help an individual survive are past down. Ex. Aggressiveness

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33 The Five-Factor Model of Personality Traits (OCEAN) (genetic & stable) Openness to Experience- curiosity, flexibility Conscientiousness- disciplined, wellorganized, dependable Extraversion- outgoing, sociable, friendly Agreeableness- sympathetic, trusting, modest Neuroticism- anxious, hostile, self-conscious

34 Contemporary Empirical Approaches to Personality Sensation Seeking: Life In the Fast Lane Sensation seeking- a generalized preference for high or low levels of sensory stimulation. Ex. Always looking for thrills Thrill and adventure seeking-sky diving etc. Experience seeking-wild parties, unusual friends Disinhibition- drug use, gambling Susceptibility to boredom- easily become bored

35 Culture and Personality Self-enhancement- involves focusing on positive feedback from others, exaggerating one s strengths and seeing oneself as above average. These tendencies are persuasive in western cultures but quite rare in Asian cultures.

36 How do we assess personality? Hypnosis & Free Association Personality Test Meyers Briggs, I/E, S/N, T/F, P/J-used for job placement Projective Test Rorschach- Most widely used projective test. Used for treatment. Very valid & reliable. TAT-Thematic Apperception Test - people express their inner feelings through stories they make about ambiguous scenes

37 MMPI- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Most widely used respected. Very valid Reliable 500 T/F questions Objective used for diagnosis Used in court

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