PersonalityPersonality

What is personality?What is personality?

Personality- the psychological qualities that bring continuity to an individual’s behavior in different situations at different times.

Personality- the psychological qualities that bring continuity to an individual’s behavior in different situations at different times.

The “what” & the “why” of personality

The “what” & the “why” of personality

Most theories of personality try to explain how & why one’s personality forms & changes through the lifespan. Psychoanalytic, (Radical Behavioristic),

Humanistic & Cognitive The Trait Personality theory defines the

components -traits, temperaments & types- of personality. Trait theorists do not ask the question of “why?”

Most theories of personality try to explain how & why one’s personality forms & changes through the lifespan. Psychoanalytic, (Radical Behavioristic),

Humanistic & Cognitive The Trait Personality theory defines the

components -traits, temperaments & types- of personality. Trait theorists do not ask the question of “why?”

The “what” & the “why” of personality

The “what” & the “why” of personality

Most theories of personality try to explain how & why one’s personality forms & changes through the lifespan. Psychoanalytic (now Psychodynamic), (Radical

Behavioristic), Humanistic & Cognitive The Trait Personality theory defines the

components -traits, temperaments & types- of personality. Trait theorists do not ask the question of “why?”

Most theories of personality try to explain how & why one’s personality forms & changes through the lifespan. Psychoanalytic (now Psychodynamic), (Radical

Behavioristic), Humanistic & Cognitive The Trait Personality theory defines the

components -traits, temperaments & types- of personality. Trait theorists do not ask the question of “why?”

Psychodynamic TheoryPsychodynamic Theory Contemporary Psychodynamic Theory is

based on the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud.

Psychodynamic personality theorists emphasize the effect of unconscious motives & past experiences on our current mental health.

Contemporary Psychodynamic Theory is based on the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud.

Psychodynamic personality theorists emphasize the effect of unconscious motives & past experiences on our current mental health.

Freud’s Psychoanalytic TheoryFreud’s Psychoanalytic Theory After unsuccessful with hypnosis, Sigmund

Freud found that there were other means to alleviate conversion symptoms (then hysteria).

Freud’s techniques accompanied his explanations of personality in what was then called psychoanalysis.

After unsuccessful with hypnosis, Sigmund Freud found that there were other means to alleviate conversion symptoms (then hysteria).

Freud’s techniques accompanied his explanations of personality in what was then called psychoanalysis.

Freud’s Psychoanalytic TheoryFreud’s Psychoanalytic Theory Freud’s theory centered around the

unconscious. Repressed impulses, drives & conflicts

which the conscious self is unaware Eros & Thanatos

Eros- the libido fuels lust (& work & leisure activities).

Thanatos- aggression & destruction against others

Freud’s theory centered around the unconscious. Repressed impulses, drives & conflicts

which the conscious self is unaware Eros & Thanatos

Eros- the libido fuels lust (& work & leisure activities).

Thanatos- aggression & destruction against others

Freud’s Psychoanalytic TheoryFreud’s Psychoanalytic Theory Id vs. Superego

Id- the primitive, unconscious portion of the psyche that houses the most basic drives & stores repressed memories.

Superego- the psyche’s storehouse of values & morals (from parents); “the conscience”

The Ego moderates the conflict between the id & superego; it’s the conscious & rational part of the psyche.

Id vs. Superego Id- the primitive, unconscious portion of

the psyche that houses the most basic drives & stores repressed memories.

Superego- the psyche’s storehouse of values & morals (from parents); “the conscience”

The Ego moderates the conflict between the id & superego; it’s the conscious & rational part of the psyche.

Freud’s Psychoanalytic TheoryFreud’s Psychoanalytic Theory Psychosexual Developmental Stages

Oral Anal Phallic Latent Genital

Psychosexual Developmental Stages Oral Anal Phallic Latent Genital

Freud’s Psychoanalytic TheoryFreud’s Psychoanalytic Theory Ego Defense Mechanisms (operate at

the preconscious level) Repression Denial Reaction formation Displacement Regression Sublimation Projection

Impetus for projective testing- Rorschach & TAT

Ego Defense Mechanisms (operate at the preconscious level) Repression Denial Reaction formation Displacement Regression Sublimation Projection

Impetus for projective testing- Rorschach & TAT

Freud’s Psychoanalytic TheoryFreud’s Psychoanalytic Theory Psychic Determinism

Freud’s assumption that ALL mental & behavioral responses are caused by unconscious traumas, desires or conflicts.

Freudian Slips… …when you say one thing but mean your mother.

Psychic Determinism Freud’s assumption that ALL mental &

behavioral responses are caused by unconscious traumas, desires or conflicts.

Freudian Slips… …when you say one thing but mean your mother.

Neo-Freudians’ Psychodynamic Theories

Neo-Freudians’ Psychodynamic Theories

All neo-Freudians agreed that the unconscious influenced behavior.

All neo-Freudians disagreed about the specific motives for behavior. (more focus conscious, lifelong influence &

social effects) Neo-Freudians include:

Carl Jung Karen Horney Alfred Adler Erik Erikson

All neo-Freudians agreed that the unconscious influenced behavior.

All neo-Freudians disagreed about the specific motives for behavior. (more focus conscious, lifelong influence &

social effects) Neo-Freudians include:

Carl Jung Karen Horney Alfred Adler Erik Erikson

Neo-Freudians’ Psychodynamic Theories

Neo-Freudians’ Psychodynamic Theories

Carl Jung Personal vs. Collective Unconscious Archetypes Personality types (I/E;S/iN; F/T)

Karen Horney M/F differences are derived from society Basic anxiety causes mental disorder Dealing with basic anxiety: move toward, against, or

away from others Alfred Adler

Compensation for unconscious inferiority Erik Erikson- social & lifelong development

Carl Jung Personal vs. Collective Unconscious Archetypes Personality types (I/E;S/iN; F/T)

Karen Horney M/F differences are derived from society Basic anxiety causes mental disorder Dealing with basic anxiety: move toward, against, or

away from others Alfred Adler

Compensation for unconscious inferiority Erik Erikson- social & lifelong development

Trait TheoryTrait Theory Trait theory began with Hippocrates’

theory of the four humors (fluids) secreted from the body. Sanguine- cheerful Choleric- angry Melancholic- depressed Phlegmatic- cold, aloof

Trait theory began with Hippocrates’ theory of the four humors (fluids) secreted from the body. Sanguine- cheerful Choleric- angry Melancholic- depressed Phlegmatic- cold, aloof

Trait TheoryTrait Theory Temperament- basic & pervasive

personality dispositions that are apparent in early childhood & that establish the tempo & mood of the individual’s behaviors. Affected by biology & genetics. Inherited temperament may set the range of

responses to life situations. Someone who inherits shyness may become less shy,

but will not likely become overly extroverted.

Temperament- basic & pervasive personality dispositions that are apparent in early childhood & that establish the tempo & mood of the individual’s behaviors. Affected by biology & genetics. Inherited temperament may set the range of

responses to life situations. Someone who inherits shyness may become less shy,

but will not likely become overly extroverted.

Trait TheoryTrait Theory The “big five”

Defines many traits as fitting into more global dimensions:

Openness to experience (Intellectual style) Conscientiousness (WOrk style) Extraversion (Expressive style Agreeableness (Interpersonal style) Neuroticism (Emotional style)

Valid across cultures Widely accepted

Cattell’s 16PF Measures the degree to which individuals fit 16 basic

personality traits.

The “big five” Defines many traits as fitting into more global

dimensions: Openness to experience (Intellectual style) Conscientiousness (WOrk style) Extraversion (Expressive style Agreeableness (Interpersonal style) Neuroticism (Emotional style)

Valid across cultures Widely accepted

Cattell’s 16PF Measures the degree to which individuals fit 16 basic

personality traits.

Trait TheoryTrait Theory Assessing Personality

TAT & Rorschach NEO-PI-R

(Big Five Inventory) MMPI-2

(Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) Measures degrees of serious mental illnesses Highly valid & reliable

MBPI (Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory) Uses Jungian personality characteristics + perceiving vs.

judging Many uses…but, Questionable reliability & validity

Assessing Personality TAT & Rorschach NEO-PI-R

(Big Five Inventory) MMPI-2

(Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) Measures degrees of serious mental illnesses Highly valid & reliable

MBPI (Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory) Uses Jungian personality characteristics + perceiving vs.

judging Many uses…but, Questionable reliability & validity

Trait TheoryTrait Theory Assessing Trait Theory

Trait testing can be used to predict behavior…to a point. Trait theory does not EXPLAIN behavior. Some opponents of trait theory say that situational

factors affect behavior much more than traits. The more ambiguous the situation, the less consistent the

behavior.

Assessing Trait Theory Trait testing can be used to predict behavior…to a point. Trait theory does not EXPLAIN behavior. Some opponents of trait theory say that situational

factors affect behavior much more than traits. The more ambiguous the situation, the less consistent the

behavior.