Myers’ PSYCHOLOGY (7th Ed)

1. Myers’ PSYCHOLOGY (7th Ed) Chapter 15 Personality James A. McCubbin, PhD Clemson University Worth Publishers

2. Ch. 15: Personality: What is Personality? 1 definition: long-lasting patterns of behavior based on “traits” • Personality: relatively permanent set of traits that affect how we respond to certain situations • A person’s usual pattern of thinking, feeling, & acting Basic perspectives: several views… + times they were dominant for a lot of psychologists • Psychoanalytic: Freud (his: about 1890’s-1930’s, but continued w/ others thru 1950/70’s as psychodynamic) • Humanistic (Rogers, Maslow: 1940’s – 1970’s) • Trait Theory (Gordon Allport: began in 1930’s, continued thru 1960’s & still a major idea in psychology)   …Or…is it all situational & there is NO real such thing as personality?? (James Mischel)

3. Psychoanalytic Perspective This is Freud’s theory that says… Personality= our thoughts & actions based on unconscious motives & childhood conflicts • childhood sexuality & unconscious motivations influence personality & mental disorders come from problems w/ this! • Psychoanalysis • methods to treat psych. disorders by exposing & interpreting unconscious tensions • Jewish Austrian physician • wanted to be a researcher, but had to settle for MD (no -- or few--Jews allowed in research…was 1890’s - 1930’s)

4. The Psychoanalytic Perspective • Unconscious • according to Freud, a reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings and memories *Contemporary viewpoint of “unconscious”: Info processing of which we are unaware • Free Association • in psychoanalysis, method of exploring the unconscious • person relaxes & says whatever comes to mind, no matter how trivial or embarrassing…(“couch” for relaxation, etc.) • Also can use word association (“say the 1st thing that comes to your mind…”)

5. Many of Freud’s ideas are no longer accepted by psychologists b/c they did not “test out” empirically…NOT valid… SO why still study him? *B/C…. • His ideas did & do have great influence on psych AND on our culture • His BEST & BIGGEST contribution probably is the acceptance of the unconscious & the subconscious (aka preconscious) …. the hidden parts of personality • Basically “invented” psychotherapy: was 1st “psychotherapist” (called himself a “psychoanalyst”

6. Freud’s 3 parts of Personality Structure (578): • Id: a “reservoir of unconscious psychic energy” • attempts to satisfy basic sexual & aggressive drives • operates on the pleasure principle, demanding immediate gratification (want what I want when I want it!) NOT “evil” …just self-centered • Superego: the part of personality that presents internalized ideals • provides standards for judgment (the conscience) & for future aspirations • Ego: the largely conscious, “executive” (in charge) part of personality • mediates among the demands of the id, superego, & reality • operates on the reality principle, satisfying the id’s desires in ways that will realistically bring pleasure, not pain

7. Ego Conscious mind Unconscious mind Id Freud (“froid”): 3 parts of the Personality Structure: Id, Ego, & Superego Freud’s idea of the mind’s structure: Iceberg analogy: Conscious: what we are aware of Preconscious (aka subconscious): just at or below the surface Unconscious: below the surface…what we hide from ourselves Superego

8. Freud’s “iceberg” of personality: 3 parts of the mind3 levels of consciousness 3 parts of the “personality” = Id, Ego, Superego

9. Some of Freud’s terms/ideas: • Psychosexual Stages • childhood stages of development during which the id’s pleasure-seeking energies focus on distinct erogenous zones (oral, anal, phallic, genital) • Identification • process by which kids incorporate their same sex parents’ values into their developing superegos • Fixation: lingering focus of pleasure-seeking energies at an earlier psychosexual stage, where conflicts were unresolved (“stuck” in a stage…) • Oedipus Complex • a boy’s sexual desires toward his mother & feelings of jealousy & hatred for the rival father

10. Freud’s Psychosexual Stages: See Anal Retentive Chef!) Stage Focus Oral Pleasure centers on the mouth-- (0-18 months) sucking, biting, chewing…task = weaning Anal Pleasure focuses on bowel and bladder (18-36 months) elimination; coping with demands for control; task = toilet training Phallic Pleasure zone = genitals; cope w/ incestuous (3-6 years) sexual feelings; task = ID w/ S-S parent Latency Dormant sexual feelings; no major focus (6 to puberty) & no major task; gender self-segregation Genital Maturation of sexual interests; task = form (puberty on) intimate relationships w/ opposite sex Personality Development

11. Defense Mechanisms: The way the ego reduces anxiety & protects the personality by unconsciously distorting reality 8 Well-known defense Mech. of Freud’s: 1. Projection : defense mechanism by which people disguise their own threatening impulses by attributing them to others 2. Regression: defense mechanism in which an individual faced with anxiety retreats to a more infantile psychosexual stage, where some psychic energy remains fixated 3. Reaction Formation: defense mechanism by which the ego unconsciously switches unacceptable impulses into their opposites • ppl may express feelings that are the opposite of their anxiety-arousing unconscious feelings 4. Repression: basic defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, & memories from consciousness: This is the most common def. mech. AND the one that is the basis for most of the others

12. 5. Displacement: defense mechanism that shifts sexual or aggressive impulses toward a more acceptable or less threatening object or person (kick the cat or scream at kid when you are angry at your boss) • as when redirecting anger toward a safer outlet 6. Denial: defens. mech. in which we refuse to accept something that is fairly obvious b/c the truth would be too painful or make us feel bad about ourselves (“…Oh, no, he would never go out on me…he loves me…”) 7. Sublimation: redirecting problems, stresses, etc., into a more socially acceptable outlet (abused as a child writing a novel about an abused child surviving) 8. Rationalization : defense mechanism that offers self-justifying explanations in place of the real, more threatening, unconscious reasons for one’s actions (“…I only drink to socialize…”)

13. Freudian SLIPS!

14. Freudian Slips… “…Ooops, er…I meant to say….”

16. Neurosis vs. Psychosis according to Freud: Two Important terms Freud used: neurosis & psychosis: Neurosis: various mental/emotional disorders, such as hypochondria or depression, arising from no apparent organic lesion or change Involves symptoms such as insecurity, anxiety, depression, & irrational fears, but without psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations. No longer in scientific use. Psychosis: having more severe symptoms of disorders: hallucinations, delusions

17. Assessing (measure or test)the Unconscious[Used MAINLY by psychoanalytical (aka psychodynamic) psychologists] Projective Tests • a personality test, such as the Rorschach or TAT, that provides ambiguous stimuli designed to trigger projection of one’s inner dynamics…that is, get into your unconscious, the “real you…” CRITICISM: Not objective …too subjective…prone to bias • Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) • a projective test in which people express their inner feelings and interests through the stories they make up about ambiguous scenes • Rorschach Inkblot Test • the most widely used projective test • a set of 10 inkblots designed by Hermann Rorschach • seeks to identify people’s inner feelings by analyzing their interpretations of the blots (again, ambiguous…)

18. Assessing the Unconscious—TAT:View & tell what happened in the past, present, & future

19. Assessing the Unconscious—Rorschach: “inkblot tests”…What do you see?

20. Examples of Rorschach Projective Test items: What do you see?

21. Neo-Freudians: (aka psychodynamic, psychosocial) • Alfred Adler • importance of childhood socialtension • birth order determines personality (has NOT tested out) • Also superiority & inferiority complexes: self-image • Karen Horney • sought to balance Freud’s masculine biases; contested penis-envy …Freud: women are incomplete “…it’s not the penis; it’s the power they envy!” • Carl Jung: Freud’s chosen…but they had big blow-up • emphasized the collective unconscious…& archetypesas support for this (“mandelas”?) • concept of a shared, inherited reservoir of memory traces from our species’ history • established idea of introvert vs. extrovert

22. Humanistic Perspective: 2 big guys = Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow • Maslow (1908-1970): studied self-actualizationprocesses of productive & healthy people (e.g., A. Lincoln) • Also hierarchy of needs • Self-Actualization • the ultimate psychological need that arises after basic physical & psychological needs are met & self-esteem is achieved • the motivation to fulfill one’s potential…”be all you can be!”

23. Humanistic Perspective • Carl Rogers (1902-1987): founder of humanist movement • focused on growth & fulfillment of individuals; “All people are basically good…& are unique individuals” • We want to be good & do well Therapist should help us by showing…. • genuineness • acceptance • empathy • *Unconditional positive regard

24. Humanistic Perspective • Unconditional Positive Regard • an attitude of total acceptance toward another person • “You are a good person …UNIQUE!! I like you!” Felt “objective assessments” didn’t appreciate this uniqueness • Self-Concept: KEY to happiness & Success! • all our thoughts & feelings about ourselves, is an answer to the question, “Who am I?” • how we see ourselves

25. Pros/Cons of Humanistic Theory Pros: Promotes idea of self-concept & positive self-esteem Cons: Did not recognize “the Dark Side” of human traits & behaviors Some say encourages “selfish” ideas…Me, Me, Me! Seen as somewhat vague & too subjective

26. Contemporary Research – Trait Perspective SeeGordon Allport’s encounter w/ Freud (t-591) This mtg. began Allport’s study & theories of traits in behavior…which became the trait perspective Allport wanted to describetraits… not explain them… • Trait : a characteristic pattern of behavior • a disposition to feel and act, as assessed by self-report inventories and peer reports • Personality Inventory • a questionnaire (often with true-false or agree-disagree items) on which people respond to items designed to gauge a wide range of feelings and behaviors • used to assess selected personality traits ??: How might your autonomic system contribute to traits??

27. UNSTABLE Moody Touchy Anxious Restless Rigid Aggressive Sober Excitable Pessimistic Changeable Reserved Impulsive Unsociable Optimistic Quiet Active choleric melancholic INTROVERTED EXTRAVERTED Passive phlegmatic sanguine Sociable Careful Outgoing Thoughtful Talkative Peaceful Responsive Controlled Easygoing Reliable Lively Even-tempered Carefree Calm Leadership STABLE Trait Perspective Factor Analysis: • Hans & Sybil Eysenck use 2 primary personality factors (traits) as axes (axis) to describing personality variation Introvert vs. extrovert Stable vs. unstable • Look at N/S & E/W • Can also see a connection to old idea of “humors” to explain personality

28. The “4 bodily humors” from ancient Greeks: Sanguine = amorous, happy, generous, optimistic,irresponsible Melancholic = Introspective, sentimental, gluttonous(spleen) Phlegmatic = unemotional, sluggish, pallid, cowardly Choleric = violent, vengeful, short-tempered, ambitious (liver)

29. The Trait Perspective • Empirically (?) Derived Test: test developed by testing a pool of items & then selecting those that discriminate betwn groups…personal traits, mental disorders, etc EX: the MMPI • Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) • the most widely researched & clinically used of all personality tests (now is MMPI-2) • originally developed to ID emotional disorders (still considered its most appropriate use) v. long! (567?’s) • now used for many other screening purposes EX:?: Choose 1: yes…no…or unsure:“I'm afraid that I might make the cause of my head pain worse if I concentrate ...” • Myers-Briggs type indicator: Looks at personality “types” using 126 item inventory of ?’s (not disorders) --based on G. Allport’s trait ideas

30. Stress & the Heart: Personality Types: Ch 14(these are NOT traits,but a separate theory RE: stress) • Type A • Friedman and Rosenman’s term for competitive, hard-driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, & anger-prone people … Prone to coronary issues Below: Possible sub-category of “A”?? Some say there’s a..TYPE D: Newer term: --gets very angry, is emotionally destructive …road-rage, etc. (distressed, destructive) -A special form of Type A Type B • Friedman & Rosenman’s term for easygoing, relaxed people (my idea of “calm-water”)

31. Personality & Stress on the Heart:Pessimists: ___% Optimists: ___%

32. Clinically significant range 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Hypochondriasis (concern with body symptoms) Depression (pessimism, hopelessness) After treatment (no scores in the clinically significant range) Hysteria (uses symptoms to solve problems) Before treatment (anxious, depressed, and displaying deviant behaviors) Psychopathic deviancy (disregard for social standards) Masculinity/femininity (interests like those of other sex) Paranoia (delusions, suspiciousness) Psychasthenia (anxious, guilt feelings) Schizophrenia (withdrawn, bizarre thoughts) Hypomania (overactive, excited, impulsive) Social introversion (shy, inhibited) 0 30 40 50 60 70 80 T-score Trait Perspective: Assessing Traits w/ MMPI b4 & after therapy (treatment) MMPI profile (“test score”) Sets of items (factors) help identify traits as well as tendencies toward mental disorders

33. The “Big Five” Personality Factors Trait DimensionDescription Emotional Stability Self-satisfied vs. self-pityin Secure vs. insecure Calm vs. anxious (aka NEUROTICISM) Extraversion Sociable vs. retiring Fun-loving vs. sober Affectionate versus reserved Openness (to Imaginative versus practical experience) Preference for variety versus preference for routine… risk-taking Independent versus conforming Agreeableness Soft-hearted versus ruthless Trusting versus suspicious Helpful versus uncooperative Conscientiousness Organized versus disorganized Careful versus careless Disciplined versus impulsive Trait Perspective (t-595):

34. A “Stable Trait:” means tends to stay same over decades Introvert: Fairly shy, quiet, inhibited Extraverted: (may see as “extroverted” also) Outgoing, boisterous, like excitement

35. Scoring “BIG 5” Personality Inventory : NOTE: Reverse means that…...if you put 1, change it to 5; 2 becomes 4, & 3 = 3, 4 = 2, 5 = 1 Ex: Extroversion: If for #7 I had put 4, I would change to a 2 & put that into the space beside #7, & If I’d put 2 for #19, it would = 4, & if 5 for # 33, it would = 1. Reverse 7___ 19___ 33___ AFTER reversing,put others as they are, THEN add ‘em up! --------------------------- NOTE: Ppl that did the 2-factor analysis…what are factors they…& who came up w/ these 2? 16 factor analysis…R. Catell

36. ?’s to look at in Big 5 trait studies: 1) How stable are the traits? (childhood  adulthood?) 2) How heritable are they? (generally 50%+ ) 3) How well do they apply to other cultures? (Cross-cultural?) 4) Do the Big 5 traits predict other personal attributes? (Yes…EX: Introverts are usually AM folks Extroverts usually PM folks) BUT…Is it the person or is it situational? (“person-situation” controversy,,,see (W. Mischel ) Effects on Personality & Health/Happines/Life Choices??  (from Stress & Health Chapter 14)

37. From CH 14 (Stress & Health) How we handle/respond to life events  affects our health & well-being “That’s a challenge! But we can do it!” “That is a MESS & it can destroy us!!” How Personality/Behavior/Health affect each other Life events Personal appraisal Challenge Threat Personality type Easy going Nondepressed Optimistic Hostile Depressed Pessimistic Personality habits Nonsmoking Regular exercise Good nutrition Smoking Sedentary Poor nutrition Level of social support Close, enduring Lacking Tendency toward Health Illness

38. Mischel & situational factors: Walter Mischel said it’s the situation…that it’s NOT really a “personality trait” Scores on personality inventories only mildly predict actual behaviors… situation IS a factor EX: Good day or bad day: How does it affect your response? Dispositional? (their disposition…) Or situational? *When it’s us, we say = situation (Bad day! Tired! ) *When it’s others we say it’s the person (Mean & snobby!) This is part of the self-serving bias… “situational vs. dispositional factors”

39. Social-Cognitive Perspective Albert Bandura: behaviorist (which area?)w/ view that says conditioning, modeling, etc., influence us to think & act certain ways Views behavior as influenced by the interactionbetween ppl & their environment…Just like nature & nurture interact • Reciprocal Determinism • Bandura’s process of the interacting influences between personality & environmental factors • 1 thing influences us… …which causes us to choose certain things… …which continue to influence us more (“Interaction”) EX’s: ?? 

40. Social-Cognitive Perspective: Can contribute to depression, etc….aka… WHAT? (B—P—S)

41. Social-Cognitive Perspective & Stress w/ Personality Personal Control: Our sense of control over our environments rather than feeling helpless “Locus (Loci = plural) of Control“ • External Locus of Control • belief that chance or outside forces beyond one’s personal control determine one’s fate…Luck, chance, God, etc. • Internal Locus of Control • the perception that “I control my OWN fate” • Poem “Invictus”: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul…” • Learned Helplessness: complete extern. L-O-C • hopelessness & passive acceptance an animal or human learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events… “ Nothing helps…Why try?” EX: Dog & shock?

42. WHO has control in your life? (Plural = “loci”) Internal vs. External Locus of Control… Which one leads to Learned Helplessness?

43. Invictus:Can you relate this to personality?Learned helplessness vs. Resiliency.. AND Loci of Control? OUT of the night that covers me,    Black as the Pit from pole to pole,  I thank whatever gods may be    For my unconquerable soul.    In the fell clutch of circumstance          I have not winced nor cried aloud.  Under the bludgeonings of chance    My head is bloody, but unbowed.    Beyond this place of wrath and tears    Looms but the Horror of the shade,   And yet the menace of the years    Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.    It matters not how strait the gate,    How charged with punishments the scroll,  I am the master of my fate:   I am the captain of my soul.  

44. Uncontrollable bad events Perceived lack of control Generalized helpless behavior Social-Cognitive Perspective • Learned Helplessness

45. Social-Cognitive Perspective Positive Psychology (604): Martin Seligman • scientific study of optimal human functioning • Idea that a culture at certain levels of development & prosperity can focus on making that society better for all…We can work to make things better for ALL ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BUT… Excessive or Unrealistic optimism: We (& especially younger ppl) can be OVERLY optimistic… EX’s: “Bad things will NOT happen to me…” This can BLIND us to risky behaviors Aka invulnerability: “I can drink & drive”…. “I can tell if someone has some sort of STD…It would be obvious…” “ Don’t worry…I know what I am doing.”

46. Exploring the Self Spotlight Effect: Overestimating others noticing & evaluating our appearance, performance, & blunder I’ll mess up! Everyone is watching me! -espec. affects ppl w/ social anxiety disorders Self Esteem: one’s feelings of high or low self-worth

47. Self-Serving Bias: Readiness to perceive oneself favorably EX: Most ppl see themselves as better than avg. & tend to take credit for success… “I DID it!!” But find excuses for any failure… “Everything was against me!” But…Often tend to think that other ppl “get what they deserve…” “It’s their own fault if they’re poor…etc.” Remember “just world phenomenon?”

48. Cultural Aspects of how we see our “Self” Individualistic Society vs. Collectivist Society: Individualism: giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals & defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications EX: most Western Eur. & N. Amer. Cultures “Nuclear family” = My family = M + D + kids) Collectivism: giving priority to the goals of one’s group (often one’s extended family or work group) & defining one’s identity accordingly EX: most Asian, Latin Amer., & African cultures “Extended family” = My Family = (M + D + G’parents + cousins + aunts + uncles, etc…)

49. Value Contrasts Between Individualism and Collectivism Concept Individualism Collectivism Self Independent Interdependent (identity from individual traits) identity from belonging) Life task Discover and express one’s Maintain connections, fit in uniqueness What matters Me--personal achievement and We-group goals and solidarity; fulfillment; rights and liberties social responsibilities and relationships Coping method Change reality Accommodate to reality Morality Defined by individuals Defined by social networks (self-based) (duty-based) Relationships Many, often temporary or casual; Few, close and enduring; confrontation acceptable harmony valued Attributing Behavior reflects one’s personality Behavior reflects social behaviors and attitudes and roles Exploring the Self (613)

50. Modern View of Unconscious Mind/ Anxiety • Freud’s views today: Psy. no longer stick w/ Freud’s “iceberg” theory • Note: Some of Freud’s ideas have been redefined… EX: ”Projection” now is false consensus effect.. “ Everyone cheats on their taxes” (just b/c you do so…) There’s not as much evidence for displacement as unconscious process, but some for reaction formation Anal retentive now = __?__ ---------------------------------- Terror Management Theory: How we see world… & how that affects us… 