Chapter 13

characteristic thoughts, emotional responses, and behaviors

pattern of thought, emotion, and behavior that is relatively consistent over time and across situations

about half

biologically based tendencies to feel or act a certain way, including amount of energy, intensity of emotions, self control, and sociability

Freudian theory that unconscious forces determine behavior

completely unconscious, operates only to seek pleasure and avoid pain (libido)

acts as a brake on the id, early socialization of proper conduct and morality

mediates between id and superego, uses rational thought and problem solving

unconscious mental strategies used to protect from distress caused by conflicts between id and superego (e.g. rationalization, denial, projection, sublimation) and protect self esteem

Freudian idea that there are developmental stages that correspond to libidinal urges (oral, anal, phallic) and can become fixated a certain stage

cognitive affective personality system- personality doesn’t predict behavior across circumstances, people’s expectations of their behavior shape their responses, etc Kelly- people have personal constructs: theories they are constantly testing

emphasize personal experience, belief system, and uniqueness of each person as a whole (in contrast to deterministic factors) Therapist creates a supportive and unconditionally loving environment

focuses on how individuals different in certain personality traits (like OCEAN- openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism)

two major dimensions: introversion/extroversion and emotional stability (possible third dimension of psychoticism/constraint)

brain structures that lead organisms to approach stimuli in pursuit of rewards (“go” system) vs structures that inhibit dangerous behavior. Linked to extraversion and introversion (extraverts are more influenced by rewards than punishments)

behaviors are determined more by situations than personality traits, sparked person/situation debate. Consensus is that on average it still does predict behavior

behavior is determined jointly by situations (strong like a funeral or weak like a party) and underlying dispositions

ya they tend to be relatively stable over long periods. Over all countries, conscientiousness tends to increase and neuroticism decreases

explore unconscious by having people tell stories about ambiguous stimuli, hoping they will project onto them (like Rorschach blots)

people access and describe themselves with personality traits that differentiate themselves from a group (a black man working with women will identify as a man, working with whites will identify as black)

evaluative aspect of self concept where people feel worthy or unworthy

taking credit for success but blaming external factors for failure