PSYC 2201 Personality Chapter 11 Outline for Weiten (2005) Bill Hill Kennesaw State University

PSYC 2201Personality

Chapter 11 Outline for Weiten (2005)

Bill Hill

Kennesaw State University

Defining PersonalityAn individual’s unique combination of attitudes, beliefs and behaviors.

Personality is generally assumed to be Consistent Distinctive

Trait Approaches

Characteristic behavior patterns (and ways of thinking) that are relatively consistent across similar situational contexts

Traits are often described using common adjectives such as friendly, outgoing, moody, trustwothy, etc.

Trait ApproachesThe Five-Factor Model of Personality Traits (McCrae & Costa) Agreeableness Conscientiousness Openness to experience Extraversion Neuroticism

Trait Approaches

Contemporary Research on Traits Sensation-Seeking Self-Monitoring

Evaluating Trait Approaches

Primarily descriptive model that does not adequately either explain why a behavior occurs or predict behavior

Questions as to whether the Big Five Traits are too many or not enough

Theories of PersonalityThe major theories that we will discuss are primarily focused on identifying the origins of personality, not the relationship between personality and behavior.

Personality theories are also key to understanding both the origins of abnormal behavior and the approaches to the treatment of abnormal behavior.

Theories of PersonalityThe four basic theories of personality• Psychodynamic• Behavioral• Humanistic• Biological

Psychodynamic Theories

All of these approaches originate from Freud and emphasize unconscious processes that influence traits and behaviors

The basic element in common is conflict. The resolution of these conflicts between the individual and either unconscious or societal pressures, determines personality.

Psychodynamic Theories

The Big Four Freud Jung Adler Erikson

Freud

Basic assumptions underlying Freud’s approach to personality: Behavior (personality) is determined and

controlled by unconscious factors Foundations for adult personality laid

during childhood Primary role of sexual urges

Freud

Structures of Personality Id Ego Superego

It is the dynamic interaction between these three structures that results in observed behavior

Freud

Levels of Consciousness Conscious Preconscious Unconscious

Freud

Stages of Personality Development Oral (mouth) Anal (anus) Phallic

Oedipal ComplexPenis Envy

Latency Genital

Freud

Defense Mechanisms Repression Projection Displacement Reaction Formation Regression Rationalization Identification

What is the Defense Mechanism?

John thought that almost everyone but himself was cheating on the psychology exam.

a. Repressionb. Projectionc. Displacementd. Reaction Formatione. Regressionf. Rationalizationg. Identification

What is the Defense Mechanism?

Lisa was embarrassed when she kept forgetting her appointment with the dentist.

a. Repression

b. Projection

c. Displacement

d. Reaction Formation

e. Regression

f. Rationalization

g. Identification

What is the Defense Mechanism?

Although Joan had not been close to her mother during her childhood she was now so oversolicitous of her mother’s health that her marriage was being threatened.

a. Repressionb. Projectionc. Displacementd. Reaction Formatione. Regressionf. Rationalizationg. Identification

What is the Defense Mechanism?

Curt began assuming many of the behaviors and characteristics of the professor he most feared.

a. Repressionb. Projectionc. Displacementd. Reaction Formatione. Regressionf. Rationalizationg. Identification

What is the Defense Mechanism?

After her new baby brother came home from the hospital the parents discovered Cheryl had dismembered her favorite doll.

a. Repressionb. Projectionc. Displacementd. Reaction Formatione. Regressionf. Rationalizationg. Identification

What is the Defense Mechanism?

A student attributed his flunking out of the university to the poor quality of teaching there.

a. Repressionb. Projectionc. Displacementd. Reaction Formatione. Regressionf. Rationalizationg. Identification

What is the Defense Mechanism?

Tommy began wetting his pants again after the birth of his baby brother.

a. Repression

b. Projection

c. Displacement

d. Reaction Formation

e. Regression

f. Rationalization

g. Identification

Jung

Although also emphasizing the unconscious like Freud, he proposed different layers: Personal Unconscious Collective Unconscious

Adler’s Individual Psychology

De-emphasizing the sexual focus of Freud, Adler believed the energy driving personality development is a striving for superiority Compensation Inferiority Complex Emphasis on social context (e.g., birth

order)

Evaluating Psychodynamic Approaches

Vague and untestable

Lack of objective supporting evidence

Claims of sexism in Freud’s theory

Behavioral Approaches

Premise from behaviorism that behaviors that constitute one’s consistent traits and actions are learned through behavioral principles of conditioning (operant and classical) and observational learning

Radical Behaviorism & Personality(Skinner)

Internal processes omitted

Focus is solely on environmental factors that shape and determine observed behaviors

Personality (as defined by response tendencies) can easily change across one’s life

Social Learning Theory(Bandura)

Although out of the behavioral tradition, Bandura incorporates cognitive influences

Reciprocal Determinism

Perspective that behavior tendencies are the result of an interaction between cognition, environment and observed behavior

Social Learning Theory(Bandura)

Observational Learning Ability to imitate Role of the model

oConsequences of model’s behavior (Vicarious conditioning)

oAttention to model (higher when model liked or respected and seen as similar to observer)

Self-Efficacy

Social Learning Theory(Mischel)

Emphasized role of situational factors, thus raising questions as to whether behavior is consistent (person emphasis) or varies with one’s perception of the situational context

Response choices are a function then of the person’s perception of the consequences associated with a response and consequence likelihood for the same behavior varies across situations

Evaluating Behavioral Approaches

Question of application of fundamental principles developed through animal research to humans

De-emphasis of role of cognitive factors and free will by radical behaviorists

Lack of unifying structure of personality—it is simply characterized as set of acquired behaviors

Humanistic Approaches

Key Elements: Emphasis on human uniqueness and

potential for personal growth. As counterpoint to both

Psychodynamic and Behavioral approaches, also includes strong emphasis on human free will

Adopts phenomenological approach to understanding human behavior

Person-Centered Theory(Rogers)

Key personality construct is the self or Self-Concept, which is one’s collection of beliefs about

who he or she is (often described using traits)

typical behavior patterns

Person-Centered Theory(Rogers)

Personality (self-concept) is largely developed as a function of childhood and adolescent experiences that are related to the interplay between an individual’s need for affection and acceptance and parenting practices. Conditional love Unconditional love

Person-Centered Theory(Rogers)

Subjectively we try to maintain a match between our self-concept and our behavioral experiences.

The degree of congruence (match) or incongruence (mismatch) between self-concept and experience that determines one’s mental health.

Self-Actualization Theory(Maslow)

Hierarchy of Needs (Human Motivations) Physiological Safety & Security Belongingness & Love Esteem Cognitive Aesthetic Self-Actualization

Evaluating Humanistic Approaches

Vague and untestable

Lacks strong research base to support claims

Idealized view of human nature that may be overly optimistic (e.g., Maslow’s self-actualized person)

Biological Approaches

Basic premise is that personality tendencies (traits) may be genetically influenced

Biological Approaches(Eysenck)

Eysenck’s theory combines elements from trait and behavioral approaches to personality

Although basically a trait approach, his premise is that trait tendencies are genetically determined. Actual observed traits are then shaped through conditioning.

Biological Approaches(Eysenck)

Eysenck’s Fundamental Traits Extraversion-Introversion Neuroticism Psychoticism

Behavioral Genetics

Evidence that suggests personality traits are inherited: Twin studies Variability in personality traits despite

shared family environment Possibility of detecting specific genes

related to traits

Evolutionary Perspectives

Traits, such as the Big Five, have emerged through natural selection. Supporting evidence includes: Cross-cultural consistency in the Big

Five Adaptive viability of the Big Five for

survival

Evaluating Biological Approaches

Limitations on accuracy of heritability ratios

Fails to adequately address the interaction between nature and nurture

No unifying theory

Culture & Personality

Cultural and sociohistorical factors have influenced many of the major theories discussed, particularly the Psychodynamic and Humanistic approaches.

What may be characterized as a personality ideal in one culture is not necessarily to same in another.

Culture & Personality

Variations in Self-Concept Western Ideal: independent self Asian Ideal: interdependent self

Imagine that several psychologists are having lunch together, and that you are eavesdropping on their conversation. Which type of psychologist is MOST likely to have made each of these comments?

Aggression is a human instinct. Although society may control it somewhat, we can never eliminate it.

a. Humanistic

b. Biological/evolutionary

c. Psychoanalytic

d. Behavioral

Imagine that several psychologists are having lunch together, and that you are eavesdropping on their conversation. Which type of psychologist is MOST likely to have made each of these comments?

Your student may be under a lot of pressure, but that is no excuse for cheating. We are personally responsible for what we do.

a. Humanisticb. Biological/evolutionaryc. Psychoanalyticd. Behavioral

Imagine that several psychologists are having lunch together, and that you are eavesdropping on their conversation. Which type of psychologist is MOST likely to have made each of these comments?

There are not any values inherent in human nature. Values are acquired in the same way we learn to say “please” and “thank you.”

a. Humanisticb. Biological/evolutionaryc. Psychoanalyticd. Behavioral

Imagine that several psychologists are having lunch together, and that you are eavesdropping on their conversation. Which type of psychologist is MOST likely to have made each of these comments?

People just don’t want to believe that infants get sexual pleasure from sucking and exploring anything they get in their hands with their mouth.

a. Humanisticb. Biological/evolutionaryc. Psychoanalyticd. Behavioral