THE OREO PSYCHO-PERSONALITY TEST

According to the website http://www.joygreetings.com/oreo.htm, “psychologists have discovered that the manner in which people eat Oreo cookies provides great insight into their personalities.” To take this test, you should choose from the list below the method that best describes your favorite way of eating Oreos.1. The whole thing all at once 2. One bite at a time3. Slow and methodical nibbles examining the results of each bite afterwards4. In little frantic nibbles5. Dunked in some liquid (milk, coffee, etc.)6. Twisted apart, the inside, then the cookie7. Twisted apart, the inside, and toss the cookie8. Just the cookie, not the inside9. I just like to lick them, not eat them10. I don't have a favorite way because I don't like Oreo cookies

OREO PERSONALITY TEST: FEEDBACK

The whole thing: This means you consume life with abandon, you are fun to be with, exciting, carefree with some hint of recklessness. You are totally irresponsible. No one should trust you with their children.One bite at a time: You are lucky to be one of the 5.4 billion other people who eat their Oreos this very same way. Just like them, you lack imagination, but that's ok, not to worry, you're normal.Slow and methodical nibbles: You follow the rules. You're very tidy and orderly. You're very meticulous in every detail with everything you do to the point of being anal retentive and irritating to others. Stay out of the fast lane if you're only going to go the speed limit.Little frantic nibbles: Your boss likes you because you get your work done quickly. You always have a million things to do and never enough time to do them. You worry about stupid things. Mental breakdowns and suicides run in your family. Valium and Ritalin would do you good.

OREO PERSONALITY TEST: FEEDBACK

Dunked in liquid: Every one likes you because you are always upbeat. You like to sugar coat unpleasant experiences and rationalize bad situations into good ones. You are in total denial about the shambles you call a life. You have a propensity towards narcotic addiction.Twisted apart, the inside, then the cookie: You have a highly curious nature. You take pleasure in breaking things apart to find out how they work, though not always able to put them back together, so you destroy all the evidence of your activities. You deny your involvement when things go wrong. You are a compulsive liar and exhibit deviant, if not criminal, behavior. Get used to small rooms and large hairy men/women who smell of Old Spice.Twisted apart, the inside, then toss the cookie: You are good at business and take risks that pay off. You take what you want and throw the rest away. You are greedy, selfish, mean, and lack feelings for others. You should be ashamed of yourself. But that's ok, you don't care, you got yours.

OREO PERSONALITY TEST: FEEDBACK

Just the cookie, not the inside: You enjoy pain.I just like to lick them, not eat them: Stay away from small furry animals and seek professional medical help immediately.I don't have a favorite way, I don't like Oreo cookies: You probably come from a rich family, and like to wear nice things, and go to upscale restaurants. You are particular and fussy about the things you buy, own, and wear. Things have to be just right. You like to be pampered. You are a prima donna. There's just no pleasing you!

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Personality

An individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.

Each dwarf has a distinct personality.

Types of Personalities

Type A• Feel time pressure.• Easily angered.• Competitive and

ambitious.• Work hard and play

hard.• More prone to heart

disease than rest of population.

Type B• Relaxed and

easygoing.• But some people fit in

neither type.

Personality TheoriesThe Psychoanalytic PerspectiveThe Humanistic PerspectiveThe Trait PerspectiveThe Social-Cognitive Perspective

Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality

• Fathered by Sigmund Freud.

• Idea of the Libido moving to different parts of our body.

• Stages of Psycho-Sexual Development

1. Oral2. Anal3. Phallic4. Latent5. Genital

Won our mind!!!!

Sigmund Freud

What’s on our minds!!!

Our Personality• Conscious- things

we are aware of.

• Preconscious- things we can be aware of if we think of them.

• Unconscious- deep hidden reservoir that holds the true “us”. All of our desires and fears.

Freud’s Concept of Personality (Psyche)

• Ego

• Superego

• Id

Id• Exists entirely in the

unconscious (so we are never aware of it).

• Our hidden true animalistic wants and desires.

• Works on the Pleasure Principle

• Avoid Pain and receive Instant Gratification.

Ego

• Develops after the Id• Works on the

Reality Principle• Negotiates between

the Id and the environment.

• In our conscious and unconscious minds.

• It is what everyone sees as our personality.

If you want to be with someone. Your id says just take them, but your ego does not want to end up in jail. So you ask her out and just mac it hard.

Superego• Develops last at

about the age of 5• It is our conscience

(what we think the difference is between right and wrong)

• The Ego often mediates between the superego and id.

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Oedipus Complex

A boy’s sexual desire for his mother and feelings of jealousy and hatred for the rival father.

A girl’s desire for her father is called the Electra complex.

Defense Mechanisms

• The ego has a pretty important job…and that is to protect you from threatening thoughts in our unconscious.

• One way it protects us is through defense mechanisms.

• You are usually unaware that they are even occurring.

ScenarioQuarterback of the high school football team, Brandon, is

dating Jasmine. Jasmine dumps Brandon and starts dating Drew, president

of the chess club.

Drew Brandon Jasmine

Repression

• Pushing thoughts into our unconscious.

• When asked about Jasmine, Brandon may say “Who?, I have not thought about her for awhile.”

• Why don’t we remember our Oedipus and Electra complexes?

Denial

• Not accepting the ego-threatening truth.

• Brandon may act like he is still together with Jasmine. He may hang out by her locker and plan dates with her.

Displacement

• Redirecting one’s feelings toward another person or object.

• Often displaced on less threatening things.

• Brandon may take his anger on another kid by bullying.

Projection• Attributing something we

don’t like about ourselves to someone else.

• Believing that the feelings one has toward someone else are actually held by the other person and directed at oneself.

• Brandon insists that Jasmine still cares for him.

Reaction Formation

• Expressing the opposite of how one truly feels.

• Cootie stage in Freud’s Latent Development.

• Brandon claims he hates Jasmine.

Regression

• Returning to an earlier, comforting form of behavior.

• Brandon begins to sleep with his favorite childhood stiffed animal, Sajalicious.

Rationalization• Coming up with a

beneficial result of an undesirable outcome.

• Brandon thinks he will find a better girlfriend. “Jasmine was not all that anyway!”

• I really did want to go to ……..anyway, it was too ……

Intellectualization

• Undertaking an academic, unemotional study of a topic.

• Brandon starts doing a research paper on failed teenage romances.

Sublimation

• Channeling one’s frustration toward a different goal.

• Sometimes a healthy defense mechanism.

• Brandon starts to learn how to play the guitar and writing songs (or maybe starts to body build).

Criticisms of Freud• He really only

studied wealthy woman in Austria.

• His results are not empirically verifiable (really hard to test).

• No predictive power.• Karen Horney said

he was sexist with the “penis envy” and there is an actual “womb envy”.

Neo-FreudiansPsychodynamic Theories

• Eric Erickson• Carl Jung and his concept

of the “personal” and “collective” unconscious.– Archetypes

• Alfred Adler and his ideas of superiority and inferiority.

• Adler also talked about birth order and how it played a part in personality.

MAY KORNER PERSONALITY TEST

What is your favorite color? List three adjectives that explain why.

If you could be any animal, which one would you choose? List three adjectives that explain why.

Think about a waterfall... List the first three adjectives that come to mind.

Picture the color white... List the first three adjectives that come to mind.

FEEDBACK FOR MAYKORNER TEST

What is your favorite color? List three adjectives that explain why.The adjectives you used describe how you see yourself.

If you could be any animal, which one would you choose? List three adjectives that explain why.The adjectives you used describe how others see you.

Think about a waterfall... List the first three adjectives that come to mind.The adjectives you used describe how you think of sex.

Picture the color white... List the first three adjectives that come to mind.The adjectives you used describe how you view death.

Psychoanalysis Today

• Couch sitting• Transference is

likely to happen.• The idea is to delve

into your unconscious.

• Pull out Manifest Content.

• Then talk about the Latent Content.

Getting into the Unconscious

• Hypnosis• Dream Interpretation• Free Association

(having them just randomly talk to themselves…and then interpreting the conversation).

• Projective Tests (and test that delves into the unconscious).

• Examples are TAT and Inkblot Tests.

TAT TestThematic Apperception Test

• Giving the subject a picture that is ambiguous (can have several meanings) and ask them what is occurring.

• Their answers reveal the manifest content.

• They can then discover the Latent Content.

Rorschach Inkblot Test

• The most widely used projective test• A set of ten inkblots designed to

identify people’s feelings when they are asked to interpret what they see in the inkblots.

• Designed by Hermann Rorschach

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Review: Psychodynamic Perspective

•unconscious mind• psychosexual stages• defense mechanisms.

Sigmund Freud(1856-1939)

Culver P

ictures

Trait Theories of Personality

• They believe that we can describe people’s personalities by specifying their main characteristics (traits).

• Traits like honestly, laziness, ambition, outgoing are thought to be stable over the course of your lives.

• Personality inventories are questionnaires assessing several traits at once.

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Factor AnalysisCattell found that large groups of traits could be reduced down to 16 core personality traits based on statistical correlations. •used to see the clusters and score these tests.

Impulsive

Excitement

Impatient

Irritable

Boiste

rous

BasictraitSuperficial

traits

• The same traits can be used to describe all peoples personalities.

• Eysenek ****Introversion-Extroversion scale

• BIG FIVE personality traits:

Vinnie and The Situation from the Jersey Shore provide some nice, introvert/extrovert examples.

Conscientiousness

Agreeableness

Neuroticism

Openness

Extraversion

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Questions about the Big Five

Yes. Conscientious people are morning type and extraverted are evening type.

4. Can they predict other personal attributes?

These traits are common across cultures.

3. How about other cultures?

Fifty percent or so for each trait.

2. How heritable are they?

Quite stable in adulthood. However, they change over development.

1. How stable are these traits?

Trait Theory Criticism

• Do NOT take into account the importance of the situation.

Somatotype Theory• A biological Theory by

William Sheldon.• Endomorphs (Fat)

tend to be friendly and outgoing.

• Mesomorphs (muscular) tend to be more aggressive.

• Ectomorphs (thin) tend to be more shy and secretive.

• Study has not been replicated.

Behaviorist Theory of Personality

• Personality changes according to the environment (reinforcers and punishments).

• If you change environment then you change the personality.

Humanistic Theory of Personality

• They believe that humans have free will (our ability to choose your own destiny).

• We are innately good and as long as our self-esteem and self-concept are positive we will be happy.

Carl Rogers• The object of humans is

to become self-actualized.

• We are like Acorns• What do Acorns need to

grow?• Water sun and soil.

Except to grow into healthy humans we need:

• Genuineness• Acceptance

(Unconditional Positive Regard)

• Empathy

Social-Cognitive Theories on Personality

• Focus on how we interact with our culture and environment

• Albert Bandura is back!!!• Reciprocal

Determinism -traits, environment and behavior all interact and influence each other.

Social-Cognitive Theories on Personality

• Internal Locus of Control the perception that we can control our own fate.

• External Locus of Control the perception that chance or outside forces beyond our personal control determine our fate.

• External Locus of Control can lead to a state of learned helplessness.

Assessing Personality

• Most common way is self-report inventories.

• MMPI- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

Test must be • Reliable- does it yield

the same results over time.

• Valid- does it measure what it is supposed to measure.

Sample MMPI QuestionsTrue/ False

• 1.I like mechanics magazines2.I have a good appetite3.I wake up fresh & rested most mornings4.I think I would like the work of a librarian5.I am easily awakened by noise6.I like to read newspaper articles on crime7.My hands and feet are usually warm enough8.My daily life is full of things that keep me interested9.I am about as able to work as I ever was10.There seems to be a lump in my throat much of the time11.A person should try to understand his dreams and be guided by or take warning from them12.I enjoy detective or mystery stories13.I work under a great deal of tension14.I have diarrhea once a month or more15.Once in a while I think of things too bad to talk about16.I am sure I get a raw deal from life17.My father was a good man18.I am very seldom troubled by constipation19.When I take a new, I like to be tipped off on whom should be gotten next to20.My sex life is satisfactory21.At times I have very much wanted to leave home22.At times I have fits of laughing & crying that I cannot control23.I am troubled by attacks of nausea and vomiting24.No one seems to understand me25.I would like to be a singer26.I feel that it is certainly best to keep my mouth shut when I’m in trouble27.Evil spirits possess me at times28.When someone does me a wrong I feel I should pay him back if I can, just for the principle of the thing.29.I am bothered by acid stomach several times a week30.At times I feel like swearing31.I have nightmares every few nights32.I find it hard to keep my mind on a task or job33.I have had very peculiar and strange experiences34.I have a cough most of the time35.If people had not had it in for me I would have been much more successful36.I seldom worry about my heath37.I have never been in trouble because of my sex behavior38.During one period when I was a youngster I engaged in petty thievery

• 39.At times I feel like smashing things40.Most any time I would rather sit and daydream than to do anything else41.I have had periods of days, weeks, or months when I couldn’t take care of things because I couldn’t “get going”42.My family does not like the work I have chosen ( or the work I intend to choose for my life work)43.My sleep is fitful and disturbed44.Much of the time my head seems to hurt all over45.I do not always tell the truth46.My judgment is better than it ever was47.Once a week or oftener I feel suddenly hot all over without apparent cause48.When I am with people I am bothered by hearing very queer things49.It would be better if almost all laws were thrown away50.My soul sometimes leaves my body51.I am in just as good physical health as most of my friends52.I prefer to pass by school friends, or people I know but have not seen for a long time, unless they speak to me first 53.A minister can cure disease by praying and putting his hand on your head54.I am liked by most people who know me55.I am almost never bothered by pains over the heart or in my chest56.As a youngster I was suspended from school one or more times for cutting up57.I am a good mixer58.Everything is turning out just like the prophets of the Bible said it would59.I have often had to take orders from someone who did not know as much as I did60.I do not read every editorial in the newspaper everyday61.I have not lived the right kind of life62.Parts of my body often have feeling like burning, tingling, crawling, or like “going to sleep”63.I have had no difficulty in starting or holding my bowel movement64.I sometimes keep on at a thing until others lose their patience with me65.I loved my father66.I see things or animals or people around me that others do not see67.I wish I could be as happy as others seem to be68.I hardly ever feel pain in the back of the neck69.I am very strongly attracted by members of my own sex70.I used to like drop-the-handkerchief71.I think a great many people exaggerate their misfortunes in order to gain the sympathy and help of others72.I am troubled by discomfort in the pit of my stomach every few days or oftener73.I am an important person74.I have often wished I were a girl. (Or if you are a girl) I have never been sorry that I am a girl75.I get angry sometimes

Be careful of the Barnum Effect!!!

• People have the tendency to see themselves in vague, stock descriptions of personality.

• Horoscopes, astrologers and psychics all use this concept.

• Aries (March 21-April 19): Do some detective work so that you can better understand those you love. Figure out what the other person is going through. Only then will you find out how you can help.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): In your midst, there's a person intent on the worst-case scenario. He or she is a valuable ally today. You'll find humor in the exaggeration, and your laughter is healing.

Gemini (May 21-June 21): Go out of your way to add elements of absurdity to your day. Your quality of life will be increased immeasurably.

Cancer (June 22-July 22): A strength exaggerated becomes a weakness. But does a weakness exaggerated become a strength? Highlight a limitation and you'll find you're better off for having this flaw.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): People pay attention when you walk into the room today. Make your exit with equal grace. Leave before they want you to and they'll want more.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Show up in person. You have more than your fair share of charisma today. Noting your winning presence, others will want to help you succeed.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): You have a talent for making relationships work. You're full of solutions, but it's important to know which problem is the most pressing. Pump the other person for information.

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): There is a fine line between sharing and over-sharing. Give others the sense of who you are. But do it briefly.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Relating to others has very little to do with what or who you know. Most people are thinking about themselves and what you can do for them. If you make them feel good about themselves, they'll like you.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You're in danger of being too thrifty. Show some disregard for the rules of frugal finance. As you spend, you'll widen the channel for greater earning.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): It would benefit you to get involved in a group effort. There is much you could contribute, and you have much to gain. You'll ask excellent questions and learn all you need to know to fit in nicely.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): You will be certain of your course. But that alone will not be enough to make it go the way you want. Whatever happens, don't complain or explain.

ICE CREAM PERSONALITY TEST

A national manufacturer of ice cream, Edy's Grand Ice Cream, commissioned an ice cream flavorology study to determine how ice cream preferences relate to personality. The study, conducted by Dr. Alan R. Hirsch, M.D., neurological director of the smell and taste treatment and research foundation in Chicago, revealed that distinct personalities correspond with particular ice cream flavors.

Instructions: Pick your favorite ice cream flavor from the list below and find out what it says about your personality.

1. Vanilla2. Chocolate3. Strawberry4. Butter Pecan5. Chocolate Chip6. Banana

ICE CREAM PERSONALITY TEST: FEEDBACK

Strawberry: If you like strawberry, you are shy, yet emotionally robust; skeptical, detail-oriented, opinionated, introverted, and self critical. You are easily made to feel guilty; cranky and pessimistic; and you have low self-esteem.Prototype: Bureaucrat, journalist.

Butter Pecan: If you like butter pecan, you are orderly, careful, perfectionistic, detail-oriented, conscientious, ethical and fiscally conservative. You are also competitive, aggressive in sports, and have a take-charge type of personality.Prototype: Executive, secretary.

ICE CREAM PERSONALITY TEST: FEEDBACK

Vanilla: If you like vanilla, you are colorful, impulsive; a risk taker who sets high goals and has high expectations of yourself. You also enjoy close family relationships. You are gregarious, live a hectic life, easily suggestible, expressive, and idealistic; a private person.Prototype: Lovelorn housewife.

Chocolate: If you like chocolate, you are lively, creative, dramatic, charming, enthusiastic, and the life of the party. Chocolate fans enjoy being at the center of attention and can become bored with the usual routine. You are seductive, well-dressed, extroverted, easily influenced, a follower, intuitive, and you enjoy intimate relationships.Prototype: Feminine woman, macho man.

ICE CREAM PERSONALITY TEST: FEEDBACK

Chocolate Chip: If you like chocolate chip, you are generous, competitive, and accomplished. You are charming in social situations, ambitious, and competent. Your are also a visionary, a conqueror; you enjoy being catered to; you’re a go-getter, intolerant of defeat.Prototype: Industry leaders, voted most likely to succeed in school.

Banana: If you like banana, you are easy-going, well adjusted, generous, honest, and empathetic.Prototype: The perfect husband, wife, parent, or child.