Transcript Personality Theory and Assessment Chapter 13

Presented by Marina Sangkavichai





What is personality?
How do you define personality?
What factors do you believe shape our
personalities?
Is ones personality stable or dynamic
throughout life?
Starting in your 20’s, do we change much
throughout our lives?




According to psychologists, personality is a
person’s unique pattern of thinking, emotions,
and behavior.
Personality refers to the consistency in who
you are, have been, and will become.
Your pattern of thinking, feelings, and actions.
Are you outgoing all the time or does it depend
on the situation?
1.
1.
2.
Trait: concerned with identification and
description of traits
Psychoanalytic: unconscious mind and that
there are three parts of the mind that interact
with one another. ( id, ego, superego )
Behavioristic: focuses on the effect of
environment on behavior
Humanistic: focuses on the role of each persons
conscious life experiences and choices






The five factor model-a system that identifies
the five most basic dimensions of personality.
Extroversion vs introversion
Agreeableness vs difficult and/or mistrusting
Conscientious or irresponsible
Emotionally stable or unstable ( Neuroticism)
Openness to Experience


Temperament: is the “raw material” from
which personality is formed. Temperament
refers to heredity aspects of personality, such
as sensitivity, irritability, distractibility, typical
mood.
Temperament and environmental factors along
with personal experiences help in shaping your
personality.



Some breeds of dogs have reputations for being
friendly, aggressive, intelligent, calm, or
emotional.
Behavior genetics- the study of inherited
behavioral traits.
Twin studies have shown that identical twins
are very much alike, even when reared apart.
Have similar IQs.




Freud believed peoples personalities were
shaped by three mental structures.
ID, EGO, SUPEREGO
According to Freud, behavior involves activity
in all three systems.
Freud focuses on the role of the unconscious
mind in the development of personality.


Level of the mind in which thoughts, feelings,
memories and other information are kept that
are not easily or voluntarily brought into
consciousness
It only surfaces in dreams and in some of the
behavior people engage in without knowing
why they have done so

ID- means “it”. This is made up of innate
biological instincts and urges. Self-serving,
irrational, has no conscious. Wants satisfaction
NOW. The ID is based on the pleasure
principle. It seeks to express pleasure-seeking
urges of all kinds.

EGO- is the “executive” branch of this system.
It is the planner, the practical part of human
nature. It is based on reality. The reality
principle refers to the understanding that one
must sometimes defer gratification until the
appropriate times and circumstances dictated
by the environment. For example, waiting in
line instead of pushing people out of the way.

The Superego-is our conscience. The internalized
voices of our parents, or authority figures, sense of
right and wrong.

According to Freud, if a conflict cannot be
resolved between these three components in an
appropriate manner, a person may use one or
more defense mechanisms. All defense
mechanisms are not equal. Some are healthy
while others are troublesome.

Describe a defense mechanism you’ve used in
your personal life.


Rationalization—making up reasons why an
event that is distressing or disappointing is
actually for the best. Jose did not get the high
paying job in New York City but he reasons
that he really didn’t want to move there
anyway.
Sublimation-spending more time engaged in
work other activities to distract attention from
an unpleasant event or circumstance./Working
50-60 hours a week at work after breaking off a
relationship.


Projection-accusing others of having the same
motives, feelings, or intentions you have. –A
cheat sees a cheat in everyone. If you’re
stealing from upper management you may
begin to suspect those who work under you are
stealing from you.
Displacement- Taking it out on someone else;
venting anger or another unpleasant emotion
provoked by one source or another. Being
rejected by someone and then going home and
taking it out on your little brother.



Reaction Formation-stating strongly that one’s
feelings are completely opposite from what
they actually are./Henry told everyone that the
woman who turned him down was really
annoying.
Denial-refusing to admit that a problem is real
or significant
Regression-acting younger than your age in
response to stress-Throwing tantrums



Social learning theorists believe our behavior is
shaped by observational learning,
reinforcement, classical conditioning, operant
conditioning, etc.
If you do this, you’re considered a nice person.
Do not selfishly keep your toys to yourself,
you’re not being a nice person.
Behaviorists believe personality is nothing
more than a set of learned responses or habits.


Also believe, people’s personalities depend on
the situation.
Would you cheat on your next exam if you
knew you could get away with it? For example,
if I left a copy of Exam 3, would you take it? (
even though you’ve never cheated before and
consider yourself an honest person ).



We also play a role in shaping our own behaviors.
Self-efficacy-refers to the capacity for producing a
desired result. You believe that your actions can make
a difference.
Self-reinforcement-refers to praising or rewarding
yourself for having made a particular response.
Treating yourself to a reward!


Others can also serve as a mirror to unlock
aspects of your personality that you’re not
aware of…
Others perceptions of you can also affect your
personality..sometimes in positive or negative
ways! Other peoples perceptions of you often
times reflect their own world views and
opinions.



Humanistic theorists believe that individuals
are inherently good and strive to fulfill their
potential.
Humanists believe we are not “mechanical”
creatures bond by our past or conditioning but
creative beings that have free choice (an ability
to choose that is not controlled by genetics,
learning, or unconscious forces).
They believe in self actualization. Who
remembers what that is?







Efficient perceptions of reality-good judgement
Acceptance of self, and others
Spontaneous-always learning something new
Have a purpose outside of themselves-Humanitarians,
Civil rights leaders, etc.
Autonomy-does not rely on authorities or outside
persons. Independent and resourceful.
Profound interpersonal relationships-loving bonds
Peak experiences-moments in which you feel harmony,
peace, ecstasy, complete, and deep meaning.





Be willing to change-Am I living in a way that is truly
satisfying? Is it the real me?
Take responsibility-do not blame others for your
shortcomings
Examine your motives-get out of your comfort zoneare you scared to change jobs out of fear?
Experience honestly and directly-don’t make up
excuses for your behavior. Be REAL with yourself!
Accept your uniqueness-don’t be afraid to be different
END OF LECTURE—on to exercises!








Write the first word or idea that pops into your
head when you hear these words:
Sex
Education,
Breast
Gun
Woman
Loneliness
Men