Unit 3. What is personality? The consistent, enduring, and unique characteristics of a person

Personality PsychologyUnit 3

What is personality?The consistent, enduring, and unique characteristics of a person.

BrainstormIn your notes, write down at least 8 words AND draw at least 3 pictures to describe your personality.

Share with your neighbor Similarities? Differences?

Purpose of Personality Theories1. Provide a way of organizing the

many characteristics you know about yourself and others.

2. To explain the differences between individuals

3. To explore how people conduct their lives

4. To determine how life can be improved

Personality ProjectPart 1: Project Packet

Each day we will complete pages of the project packet

Homework points for each completed on time

Part 2: ProductWill be discussed later in the unitUse Part 1 to complete Part 2

TodaySupplies at the Front of the Room & By the

InboxComplete the Title page by using your

Brainstorm Ideas.In the circle, sketch a picture that represents

you (a shape, favorite object, emoticon, etc.)On each of the 5 spokes list 1 word that

describes you (outgoing, ambitious, athletic, etc.)

Complete the Information Page (page 2)Complete the My Survey Pages (pages 3-5)

Psychoanalytical Theories

Freud and the UnconsciousExperiences,

especially childhood, stored in unconscious

Although not consciously awareinfluence our behavior

Freud’s Model: 3 Parts of the UnconsciousThe Id = what you want to do

Part that contains our needs, drives, instincts, and repressed material

The Ego = what you can doPart that is in touch with reality and

socially acceptableThe Superego = what you should do

Par t that has the conscience and tries to counteract the socially inappropriate desires of the id

How does this affect our personality?Conflicts between the id & superegoThe ego must satisfy the pleasure

demands of the id without offending the morality of superego

If…Id is not satisfied: longing, anger, or

desireSuperego is not obeyed: guilty and

inferiorEgo ignored: real outcomes can take

place like starvation of dislike by other people

Defense Mechanisms

Defense MechanismWhat the ego unconsciously uses to protect itself against unpleasant impulses or circumstances

All ppl resort to this bc the ego’s job is so difficult

If the demands of the id and the superego cannot be resolveddistort reality

Defense MechanismDefends the ego from experiencing anxiety about failing in its tasks.

Necessary (to some degree) for psychological well-being

Defense Mechanism ActivityCount off by 8sPick a Defense Mechanism out of a hatRead AND take notes on that Defense

Mechanism in the textbook (p. 380-381)In your groups, create a mini-skit

(about 1-2 minutes long) about your Defense Mechanism

Elect a group leader who can describe the Defense Mechanism to the class after the skit

TodayComplete My Defense Mechanism (p. 8) in Project Packet

Checked tomorrow for homework points

Adler & Birth Order

Freud’s FollowersCarl Jung Alfred Adler

Carl JungStarted off as Freud’s closet

associateArgued over 2 points:

Positive view of human nature2 unconsciouses the personal and the

collective (archetypes)

Alfred AdlerAssociate of Freudleft to form his own

personality theoryAdler’s Personality Theory:Inferiority complex: a pattern of avoiding

feelings of inadequacy rather than trying to overcome their source (compensating for weaknesses)

How does it apply to us?Adler said:

Children first feel inferior bc they are little and dependent on parents

As they learn to do things for themselves like hold a spoon or tie their shoes, they learn a pattern of overcoming inadequacies that persists throughout life (lifestyles)

Birth Order TheoryAdler believed the way parents treat

children influences the styles of life they chooseOverpampering self-centered person who

expects others to do things for themNeglected lack confidenceIdeal learn self-reliance & courage from

father, generosity & empathy from motherSometimes had to do with the order in

which a child was born

Celebrity Birth Order ActivityComplete the green sheet according to Adler’s Theory of Birth Order

Go Over as a ClassComplete My Birth Order page 9finish for Homework

Learning Theories

BehaviorismStudy of ONLY observable behavior

Exact opposite of psychoanalytical theories

Why?Personalities are LEARNED based on experiences

Contingencies of ReinforcementWhat you get

(advantages) from certain behaviors

Conditions that make a behavior more likely to happen

Contingencies of ReinforcementPositive Reinforcement adding (+)

something you want to encourage a behaviorEx: When I clean  my room, I get to go out with friends. 

the thing that I want is to go out with friends - so I clean my room.

Negative Reinforcement subtracting (-) something you DON'T want to encourage a behaviorEx: When I work during my study hall, I don't have work

to take home.  The thing that I don't want is homework so I use my time wisely.

TodayReinforcing My Personality page 10Using 3 of the 5 characteristics on the front let’s discuss what are possible reinforcements for each of them.

Observational LearningA person acquires new behavior by

watching the actions of another person

Cognitive-Personal Factors: beliefs, values, emotional make

up, and genetic influences

Behaviors: our actions

Environmental Factors: personal experiences, and

social, political cultural influences

Personality Development

Differences from Psychoanalytical Theories?

Psychoanalytical theories: influence of childhood experiences, irrational thoughts, unconscious forces

Learning theories: focus on concrete actions that can be tested and measured

Critics of Learning Theories:Does not explain personalityDoes not give enough attention to emotions,

childhood experiences, or genetic make-up of a person

TodayComplete Observational Learning in the Yellow Packet (page 11)Choose 3 behaviors that you display on a daily basis that may be caused by observational learning (imitation)

Humanistic Psychology

What is Humanistic Psychology?Emphasizes personal growth and

achievements of peopleHow does it differ from behaviorism and

psychoanalysis?Psycho: influenced by instinctsBehavior: influenced by rewards and punishmentsStresses our ability to create and live by personal

standardsthinks the other 2 demeans humans

Self-ActualizationThe realization of our potential as

unique individuals

TodayTextbook page 393 Characteristics of Self-Actualized People

Complete page 12 in Yellow Packet