Personality Formal and Informal Approaches to Personality
Formal Approaches to Personality
Psychoanaly3c Theory Pioneered by Sigmund Freud, psychoanalysis = analyzing the psyche Freud s theory compared to an iceberg Freud felt the sum of all mental activity was divided into three parts Id Ego Superego
The id An unconscious component of the psyche Id unconcerned about reality The id seeks immediate pleasure and satisfaction of instinctual drives based on biological needs libido aggression
The superego Serves as a person s conscience Serves as a person s moral standards Operates at various levels of consciousness within the psyche Superego unconcerned about reality Commands that sexual and aggressive impulses be stifled Demands that moral goals be favored
The ego Largely conscious part of the psyche, though also operates at other levels Operates per the reality principle Ego tries to: satisfy the id avoid guilt or remorse experienced through the superego incorporate reality into its decision Anxiety results when the ego loses its battle
Behavioral Theory A person behaves in a certain way based upon stimuli around him/her Punishment/negative consequences will reduce behavior Reward/positive consequences will increase behavior Therefore, behavior is reinforced by the environment; it is learned
Famous Behaviorists Ivan Pavlov Classical conditioning on The Office Operant conditioning on Big Bang Theory John Watson B.F. Skinner Al Bandura Current Fan of Behaviorism
Developmental Theory Life contains specific developmental stages Personality is developed based upon progression through these stages Erikson s eight lifespan stages Jean Piaget s cognitive development stages Conservation
Humanis3c Theory Behavior is motivated by desire for personal growth/achievement Stages in such growth and achievement are not dependent upon age Emphasizes the whole person and the importance of each subjective experience People are basically good
Example of Humanis3c Theory Abraham Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs (SimplyPsychology.com, original hierarchy)
Informal Approaches to Personality
Personality Types Type A, B, C personalities Each personality type is represented by a group of behavioral characteristics The same characteristics occur across many situations An individual who demonstrates many C characteristics would be labeled a Type C personality
Type A Personality Anger Impatience Hostility Aggression Need for control Hurried Unaware of environment and others needs
Type A Personality (continued) Competitive Increased risk for cardiovascular disease Especially anger, hostility, aggression Guilt with Relaxing Activities
Assess Your Type A Tendencies
Type B Personality Patience Much less time urgency Relaxation without guilt Laid back
Type C Personality Over years, more than one Type C personality has been described Most common Type C reference Introverted, keeps to him- or herself If wronged, may not stand up for him- or herself Conforming Cancer prone
Personality Traits Trait theories are quite sophisticated Trait: characteristic of human behavior or attitude Examples: friendliness, sensitivity, trust, delay of gratification/self-control (the Marshmallow Experiment) Cattell, Eysenck, Allport
Personality Temperaments Temperaments are similar to traits, though there are generally fewer of them Example: 16 personality temperaments Keirsey Temperament Sorter
Other Personality Measures Optimism vs. Pessimism Perception of a situation An optimist will view the situation in a positive manner A pessimist will view same situation negatively Example? Relationship between pessimism and mortality for those under 60 years of age
Other Personality Measures (continued) External vs. Internal Locus of Control External: Individual feels he/she has little control over events Internal: Individual feels he/she has great control over events Examples of each? Which individual is considered healthiest?
Advantages and Limitations of Informal Approaches to Personality?