Transcript File - mrbspsychsite

Perspectives
on
Personality
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Explain each of the four major theories of
personality.
What are the differences between the id, ego,
and superego?
What is the difference between an Inner Locus
of Control and an External Locus of Control?
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Psychodynamic theory focuses on the role of
the unconscious mind and on biological causes
of personality differences.
Behavioral and social cognitive focuses on how
learning and environment affect personality.
Humanistic focuses on the role of each person’s
life experiences in personality development.
Trait perspective focuses on describing traits
and characteristics of personality in order to
predict future behavior.
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Sigmund Freud first introduced psychodynamic
theory and personality.
Freud believed the mind was composed of three
layers.
-Conscious mind: where one’s current mental
awareness exists.
Preconscious mind: contains memories and past
events.
Unconscious mind: a hidden part of the mind that
surfaces during day-dreaming or actual dreams.
Freud believed the unconscious mind was most
important factor in determining personality.
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Freud believed that personality could be
divided into three parts: the id, ego, and
superego.
The id is the part of the personality present at
birth and includes the unconscious pleasure
seeking aspect of personality. It contain
biological drives like hunger and survival.
The pleasure principle says that the id
functions by seeking immediate satisfaction
without regard of consequences.
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The ego aspect of personality develops as the infant
grows and learns to deal with reality, making more
logical decisions to satisfy the demands of the id.
The superego is the moral center of personality that
develops as toddlers learn right from wrong.
The superego is very similar to conscience that
produces pride or guilt based on one’s behavior.
Freud believed that disordered behavior occurs when
the id, ego, and superego are in conflict.
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Many psychologists now discredit many parts
of Freud’s psychodynamic theory.
One of the major reasons why they criticize his
theory is because it was based solely on
Freud’s observations of his patients.
His interpretations of his patients were filtered
into his preconceived categories.
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Behaviorists believe that conditioning and
learning explain the actions of humans.
Because of this, behaviorists believe that
personality is actually a set of learned
responses called habits.
They also believe that all behavior is controlled
by certain stimuli that encourage the behavior.
Behaviorists explain personality development
as constant conditioning based on positive and
negative reinforcement.
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One of the most prominent behaviorists, Julian Rotter
viewed personality as a set of responses to various
situations, believing people are motivated to seek
rewards and avoid punishment.
As a result of this perspective, Rotter theorized the
concept of the Locus of Control which is the belief of
the extent that people have control over their lives.
Internal locus of control means that people believe that
they can control what happens in life.
External locus of control means that people believe that
experiences are controlled by outside factors like luck
or fate.
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Humanistic perspective focuses on what makes
us uniquely human, such as emotions and
freedom to choose our destiny.
A major element of the humanistic perspective
is the self-actualizing tendency, which is the
tendency to want to live up to one’s potential.
Within this tendency are two competing
concepts. The “real self” is the individual’s
perception of his or her actual characteristics.
The “ideal self” is the perception of who that
individual wishes to be.
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Trait theories believe that personality is based
on traits that are genetic and this theory
attempts to predict future behavior based on
these traits.
A trait is consistent way of thinking, feeling,
and behaving.
Trait theorists have come up with over 200
different traits and some actually believe that
traits are wired into the nervous system in a
constellation-type pattern.
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Surface traits are personality traits that are seen
by other people
Examples: shyness, happiness, or sadness.
Source traits are the traits that define the core
personality that are not always visible.
Examples: openness, conscientiousness, and
extraversion.
Trait theorists, however, admit that particular
circumstances may influence how a trait is
expressed.