11Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

PersonalityPersonality

Psychological qualities that bring continuity to an individual’s behavior in different situations and at different times

22Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Theories of PersonalityTheories of Personality

• “Big picture” explanations of personality

• Guide research

• Offer insight into ourselves and others

33Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Three Theoretical Views of Three Theoretical Views of PersonalityPersonality

• Psychodynamic

• Humanistic

• Cognitive

44Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Core Concept 11-1Core Concept 11-1

• According to the psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive theories, personality is a continuously changing process, shaped by our internal needs and cognitions and by external pressures from the social environment.

55Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud

• First and best example of a psychodynamic theory of personality.

• Others followed him such as Jung and Horney

66Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Other Concepts from FreudOther Concepts from Freud

• Unconscious motivation

• Psychoanalysis

77Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Personality StructurePersonality Structure

• Three structures• A battle between

the id and the superego

• Mediated by the ego

88Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Freud’s Psychoanalytic TheoryFreud’s Psychoanalytic Theory

Personality structure

IdId

SuperegoSuperego

EgoEgo

99Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Freud’s Psychoanalytic TheoryFreud’s Psychoanalytic Theory

Personality structure

IdId

Superego

Ego

Primitive, unconscious portion of personality, houses most basic drives

1010Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Freud’s Psychoanalytic TheoryFreud’s Psychoanalytic Theory

Personality structure

Id

SuperegoSuperego

Ego

Moral attitudes learned from parents and society, same as conscience

1111Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Freud’s Psychoanalytic TheoryFreud’s Psychoanalytic Theory

Personality structure

Id

Superego

EgoEgo

Conscious, rational part of personality, keeps peace between superego and id

1212Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Ego Defense MechanismsEgo Defense Mechanisms

• Mental strategies used to reduce conflict or anxiety

• Largely unconscious

1313Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

DenialDenial

• Denying a problem exists

• Frequently seen in alcoholics, child abusers, and people engaged in risky behavior.

1414Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

RationalizationRationalization

• Giving socially acceptable reasons for actions that are really based on unacceptable motives

1515Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Reaction FormationReaction Formation

• Acting in exact opposition to true feelings

1616Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

DisplacementDisplacement

• Shifting your reaction from the real source of distress to a safer individual or object.

1717Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

RegressionRegression

• Behaving in immature, juvenile fashion to deal with stress

1818Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

SublimationSublimation

• Gratifying sexual or aggressive desires in a socially acceptable way

1919Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

ProjectionProjection

• Attributing our own unconscious desires to other people or objects

2020Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Projective TestsProjective Tests

• Given by some psychologists to assess personality

• Assume people will project their hidden motives and conflicts into their interpretation of ambiguous images

2121Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Thematic Apperception TestThematic Apperception Test

2222Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

2323Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Humanistic TheoriesHumanistic Theories

• Proposed personality is not driven by unconscious conflicts and defenses

• Optimistic about human nature• Emphasized positive traits• “Positive Psychology”--contemporary

research about mental health and happiness

2424Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Core Concept 11-2Core Concept 11-2

• Another approach describes personality in terms of stable patterns known as temperaments, traits, and types.

2525Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

TemperamentsTemperaments

• Basic personality disposition apparent in early childhood

• Inherited

• Establish the temp and mood of the individual’s behaviors

2626Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

TraitsTraits

• Stable personality characteristics that are presumed to exist within the individual and guide thoughts and actions under various conditions

2727Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

““Big Five” Trait TheoryBig Five” Trait Theory

• Based on factor analysis of many studies

• People can be described by specifying their position on each of the five bipolar traits.

2828Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Openness to experienceOpenness to experience

• Curiosity, independence

• Opposite pole--closed-mindedness

2929Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

ConscientousnessConscientousness

• Dependability, cautiousness, perseverance, superego strength, prudence, or constraint

• Opposite pole--impulsiveness, carelessness, irresponsibility

3030Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

ExtraversionExtraversion

• Social adaptability, assertiveness, sociability, boldness, or self-confidence

• Opposite pole--introversion

3131Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

AgreeablenessAgreeableness

• Conformity, likeability, friendly compliance, warmth

• Opposite pole--coldness or negativity

3232Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

NeuroticismNeuroticism

• Anxiety, emotionality

• Opposite pole--emotional stability or emotional control

3333Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Implicit Personality TheoryImplicit Personality Theory

• Assumptions that are held by people to simplify the task of understanding others

• Often naïve assumptions held by psychologically unsophisticated individuals

• Example: fundamental attribution error

3434Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2003

Fundamental Attribution ErrorFundamental Attribution Error

• The assumption that another person’s behavior is the result of a flaw in personality rather than in the situation