Personality Personality Trait Theories Psychoanalytic Theory Humanistic Theories

Personality • • • Personality Trait Theories Psychoanalytic Theory Humanistic Theories Social-Cognitive Theories

Personality An individual’s enduring response patterns across a variety of situations. Distinct and consistent ways of thinking, feeling and acting.

Keep in mind: • • Personality is a theoretical construct. Personality assessment or measurement is different depending on perspectives (theories). Personality psychology is concerned with disposition (internal); Social psychology is concerned with situation (external).

If someone asked you what I was like, what would you say?

Traits Predispositions to behave in given ways which are assessed by personality inventories.

Traits Adjectives that describe the ways people act.

Trait Theories • • • Description is the goal! Allport & Odbert (1936) found 18, 000 words in the dictionary that could describe personality. Since then, reduction has been the goal; synonyms have been eliminated through factor analysis.

Trait Theories Assessment Non-clinical Inventories • NEO-PI • Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Clinical Inventories • Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

Psychoanalytic Theory • • Clinical orientation GOAL: explain rather than describe Comprehensive theory Components to theory: • • • personality structures personality development dynamics and defenses

Psychoanalytic Theory Personality Structures • • • Id-pleasure principle Ego-reality principle Super Ego-conscience

Psychoanalytic Theory Personality Development

Psychoanalytic Theory Dynamics & Defenses • Unconscious conflicts>>>ANXIETY • • structural tension fixation unresolved Oedipal issues Defense mechanisms help us cope: • • repression sublimation

Psychoanalytic Theory Assessment • • • GOAL: uncover unconscious conflicts Rorschach Inkblot Test Thematic Apperception Test

Rorschach Inkblot Test Example #1

Rorschach Inkblot Test Example #2

Thematic Apperception Test Example #1

Thematic Apperception Test Example #2

Psychoanalytic Theory Assessment • • GOAL: uncover unconscious conflicts Rorschach Inkblot Test Thematic Apperception Test dream analysis

Humanistic Theories • • Abraham Maslow--self-actualization Carl Rogers--Person-Centered Perspective Self, self-concept--thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in answer to the question, “Who am I? ” Self-esteem-feelings of high or low selfworth.

Humanistic Theories Person-Centered Perspective Self-Growth is facilitated by: genuineness acceptance-unconditional positive regard empathy

Social-Cognitive Theories Reciprocal Determinism

Social Cognitive Theories Locus of Control--Julian Rotter • • Internal Locus of Control-perception that one controls one’s own fate External Locus of Control-chance or outside forces determine one’s fate How do you acquire a locus of control? How does locus of control determine your behavior?

Social Cognitive Theories Self-Monitoring--Mark Snyder • • High Self-Monitors social chameleons behavior is guided by situations have many friends persuaded by image • • Low Self-Monitors principled individuals behavior is guided by internal principles have few friends persuaded by facts

Social-Cognitive Theories Assessment …observing people’s behavior in different situations.