Personality Personality Although every individual is distinctive, Although every individual is distinctive, we perceive some people to be more alike we perceive some people to be more alike than others in the way that they engage than others in the way that they engage with their social and physical worlds. with their social and physical worlds. These patterns of similarities and These patterns of similarities and differences are the province of differences are the province of personality. Personality refers to the personality. Personality refers to the complex network of emotions, cognitions, complex network of emotions, cognitions, and behaviours that provide coherence and and behaviours that provide coherence and direction to a person’s life. Our direction to a person’s life. Our personality affects our goals, how we personality affects our goals, how we feel, how we act, and how we see feel, how we act, and how we see ourselves and other people. ourselves and other people.
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PersonalityPersonality
Although every individual is distinctive, we Although every individual is distinctive, we perceive some people to be more alike than perceive some people to be more alike than others in the way that they engage with their others in the way that they engage with their social and physical worlds. These patterns of social and physical worlds. These patterns of similarities and differences are the province of similarities and differences are the province of personality. Personality refers to the complex personality. Personality refers to the complex network of emotions, cognitions, and behaviours network of emotions, cognitions, and behaviours that provide coherence and direction to a that provide coherence and direction to a person’s life. Our personality affects our goals, person’s life. Our personality affects our goals, how we feel, how we act, and how we see how we feel, how we act, and how we see ourselves and other people. ourselves and other people.
PersonalityPersonality
Personality refers to the complex network Personality refers to the complex network of emotions, cognitions, and behaviours of emotions, cognitions, and behaviours that provide coherence and direction to a that provide coherence and direction to a person’s life. Our personality affects our person’s life. Our personality affects our goals, how we feel, how we act, and how goals, how we feel, how we act, and how we see ourselves and other people. we see ourselves and other people.
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The study of personality includes different The study of personality includes different conceptions of personality, personality conceptions of personality, personality assessment, and cultural and individual assessment, and cultural and individual differences in personality. This topic differences in personality. This topic focuses on conceptions of personality and focuses on conceptions of personality and personality assessment.personality assessment.
PersonalityPersonalityKnowledge and understanding should be Knowledge and understanding should be relevant to the following key ideas:relevant to the following key ideas:Personality is a socially and culturally Personality is a socially and culturally constructed concept.constructed concept.Many different descriptions of the Many different descriptions of the structure of personality have been structure of personality have been proposed.proposed.Ways of measuring personality are linked Ways of measuring personality are linked to particular beliefs about its structure.to particular beliefs about its structure.
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The psychodynamic perspectiveThe psychodynamic perspective
Derived from observations made in clinical Derived from observations made in clinical practice.practice.
Focuses on the nature of the whole Focuses on the nature of the whole individual acting in the real world, rather individual acting in the real world, rather than on small elements.than on small elements.
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Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud– PsychoanalysisPsychoanalysis– Conscious mind only a very small part of the Conscious mind only a very small part of the
mind, the ice-berg in water analogymind, the ice-berg in water analogy– Evidence in Freudian slips and dreamsEvidence in Freudian slips and dreams– Defence mechanisms prevent the conscious Defence mechanisms prevent the conscious
mind from being aware of the “forbidden mind from being aware of the “forbidden memories, feelings etc”memories, feelings etc”
Freud’s view was that the unconscious Freud’s view was that the unconscious mind is made up of sexual and aggressive mind is made up of sexual and aggressive drives which he termed the “id”. He drives which he termed the “id”. He suggested that all of our activities and suggested that all of our activities and society are merely based on the attempt to society are merely based on the attempt to satisfy these basic drives.satisfy these basic drives.
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Freud’s developmental theoryFreud’s developmental theory– Five stages of developmentFive stages of development
OralOral
AnalAnal
GenitalGenital
LatencyLatency
GenitalGenital
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For each stage there is said to be a focus For each stage there is said to be a focus on the sex drive and a need to resolve on the sex drive and a need to resolve conflict. If the conflict could not be conflict. If the conflict could not be resolved, then it was repressed and the resolved, then it was repressed and the result was an unconscious fixation. This result was an unconscious fixation. This conflict disappeared into the unconscious. conflict disappeared into the unconscious.
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When the defence mechanisms fail, then When the defence mechanisms fail, then the person regresses and behaves like a the person regresses and behaves like a child at that stage of fixation.child at that stage of fixation.
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Oral stageOral stage– Focuses on the early feeding experiences. Focuses on the early feeding experiences.
Those fixed at this stage tend to do things Those fixed at this stage tend to do things compulsively with the mouth – eat lots of compulsively with the mouth – eat lots of lollies, smoke, bite nails etclollies, smoke, bite nails etc
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Anal stageAnal stage– Kids learn to derive pleasure form their bodily Kids learn to derive pleasure form their bodily
eliminations. Suggested that kids learn this eliminations. Suggested that kids learn this form the way in which they discover that they form the way in which they discover that they can control adults by these processes.can control adults by these processes.
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GenitalGenital– Oedipus complexOedipus complex– Electra complexElectra complex– Falling in love with one’s own mother or father Falling in love with one’s own mother or father
and seeing the other as a rival.and seeing the other as a rival.
characterised by expanding social contacts.characterised by expanding social contacts.
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Genital stageGenital stage– The onset of puberty brings the reappearance The onset of puberty brings the reappearance
of the sexual urge.of the sexual urge.
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Carl Jung suggested that Freud over-Carl Jung suggested that Freud over-emphasised the importance of sex.emphasised the importance of sex.
His view was that the unconscious mid His view was that the unconscious mid was far more complex and contained was far more complex and contained structures call archetypes.structures call archetypes.
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These archetypes are inherited “hardwired” These archetypes are inherited “hardwired” abilities or patterns present in us all. Reflected in abilities or patterns present in us all. Reflected in lifestyles, religion relationships, literature.lifestyles, religion relationships, literature.
Jung noted that all cultures have the same Jung noted that all cultures have the same underlying stories in their myths, dramas and underlying stories in their myths, dramas and religious ideas.religious ideas.
He argued that these reflected a universal He argued that these reflected a universal pattern within the psyche fundamental to the pattern within the psyche fundamental to the human condition.human condition.
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““inner child”inner child”
Inner male in a femaleInner male in a female
Alter ego Alter ego
etcetc
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For Jung, we all have the potential to develop in For Jung, we all have the potential to develop in a large number of ways.a large number of ways.
As we grow up we make decisions about the As we grow up we make decisions about the type of person that we wish to become.type of person that we wish to become.
At each step we take on a characteristic eg At each step we take on a characteristic eg caring and not its opposite of being selfish. This caring and not its opposite of being selfish. This other become part of the shadow personality, other become part of the shadow personality, but remains part of your potential.but remains part of your potential.
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Jung’s theory of personality types.Jung’s theory of personality types.– Six basic ways of dealing with the worldSix basic ways of dealing with the world
Divided into attitudesDivided into attitudes– Introversion and extroversionIntroversion and extroversion
And FunctionsAnd Functions– Feeling and Thinking (2 ways of decision making)Feeling and Thinking (2 ways of decision making)– Sensing and Intuition (2 ways of experiencing the world)Sensing and Intuition (2 ways of experiencing the world)
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Jung’s theory of personality types. Jung’s theory of personality types. – Generally people tend to utilise one of each Generally people tend to utilise one of each
pair of attitudes or functions.pair of attitudes or functions.– Eg Jung saw himself as an intuitive, thinking Eg Jung saw himself as an intuitive, thinking
introvert, while he saw Freud as a sensing, introvert, while he saw Freud as a sensing, feeling extrovert.feeling extrovert.
People become more skilled at using their People become more skilled at using their preferred modes of functioning, leading to preferred modes of functioning, leading to their distinctive personality.their distinctive personality.
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Psychoanalysis after Freud and JungPsychoanalysis after Freud and Jung– Ego psychologists eg Erik EriksonEgo psychologists eg Erik Erikson– Transforming Freud’s ideas, giving more Transforming Freud’s ideas, giving more
functions to the ego and the consciousness.functions to the ego and the consciousness.– Changed Freud’s developmental theory in to Changed Freud’s developmental theory in to
psychosocial theory.psychosocial theory.– Life cycle of 8 stages, each involving a conflict Life cycle of 8 stages, each involving a conflict
to be resolved for healthy development to to be resolved for healthy development to occur.occur.
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Erik EriksonErik Erikson0-1 years0-1 years trust vs mistrusttrust vs mistrust
1-3 years1-3 years autonomy vs shame and autonomy vs shame and doubtdoubt
3-5 years 3-5 years initiative vs guiltinitiative vs guilt
6-puberty6-puberty industry vs inferiorityindustry vs inferiority
AdolescenceAdolescence identity vs identity diffusionidentity vs identity diffusion
Early adulthoodEarly adulthood intimacy vs isolationintimacy vs isolation
Middle adulthoodMiddle adulthood generativity vs self-absorptiongenerativity vs self-absorption
Later adulthoodLater adulthood integrity vs despairintegrity vs despair
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Object relations theoristsObject relations theorists– Need to have satisfying object relations ie Need to have satisfying object relations ie
relationships with people and objects in the outside relationships with people and objects in the outside world.world.
– Social drives as important as sexual or aggressive Social drives as important as sexual or aggressive drives.drives.
– Good object relations allow you to accept people as Good object relations allow you to accept people as entirely independent, to have good relationships with entirely independent, to have good relationships with them, tolerating their good and bad points and your them, tolerating their good and bad points and your own positive and negative feelings towards them.own positive and negative feelings towards them.
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Current psycho-dynamic perspectiveCurrent psycho-dynamic perspective– Likely to describe someone in terms of their Likely to describe someone in terms of their
ego-functioning or object relations rather than ego-functioning or object relations rather than their sexual or aggressive drives.their sexual or aggressive drives.
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Psychodynamic approachPsychodynamic approach– Criticised because the ideas are untestable.Criticised because the ideas are untestable.– Largely an abstraction of individual Largely an abstraction of individual
experience esp Freud and Jungexperience esp Freud and Jung– Freud very narrow focus Freud very narrow focus
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The humanistic perspective emerged in The humanistic perspective emerged in 1960’s with a more optimistic view of 1960’s with a more optimistic view of human potential. Its perspective is more human potential. Its perspective is more holistic and not based on conflict and holistic and not based on conflict and repression. Rather it focuses on feelings repression. Rather it focuses on feelings and individual uniqueness. Humans have and individual uniqueness. Humans have inherent drives or tendencies.inherent drives or tendencies.
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The humanist view is based upon the The humanist view is based upon the individual perceptions of the world and individual perceptions of the world and how the individual perceives his or her how the individual perceives his or her relationship with the world. Our relationship with the world. Our perceptions and our understanding of perceptions and our understanding of them are fundamental to the development them are fundamental to the development of our personality.of our personality.
PersonalityPersonalityThe humanist viewThe humanist view– Carl RogersCarl Rogers
The most important of the humanist psychologistsThe most important of the humanist psychologists
Self-actualisation a natural development process, Self-actualisation a natural development process, but the right environment is needed. For example, but the right environment is needed. For example, positive regard from others is necessary for good positive regard from others is necessary for good self-esteem.self-esteem.
The organism acts as a whole with self-The organism acts as a whole with self-actualisation as the single goal.actualisation as the single goal.
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The humanist view of RogersThe humanist view of Rogers– You remove the mask.You remove the mask.– You experience feeling – affective self-You experience feeling – affective self-
knowledge.knowledge.– Discovery of self in experience ie true selfDiscovery of self in experience ie true self– A new person emerges, more open to A new person emerges, more open to
experience, more confident.experience, more confident.
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Abraham MaslowAbraham Maslow– The hierarchy of needsThe hierarchy of needs
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Maslow believed that each person has Maslow believed that each person has five categories of needsfive categories of needs
Physiological needs - Basic needs for the Physiological needs - Basic needs for the body, such as food shelter drink rest etc.body, such as food shelter drink rest etc.
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Safety needs - Where the basic needs Safety needs - Where the basic needs are reasonably satisfied we turn to are reasonably satisfied we turn to thinking about protection from danger, thinking about protection from danger, security and order so that we feel safe. security and order so that we feel safe. These safety needs can be a concern These safety needs can be a concern for physical safety but also covers for physical safety but also covers psychological safety needs such as job psychological safety needs such as job security etc.security etc.
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Social needs - Once the first two needs Social needs - Once the first two needs are reasonably satisfied, social needs are reasonably satisfied, social needs such as needing acceptance, giving such as needing acceptance, giving and receiving affection and "belonging" and receiving affection and "belonging" become things that people wantbecome things that people want
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Ego needs - Next comes people's need Ego needs - Next comes people's need for achievement, self esteem, self for achievement, self esteem, self confidence, respect and status.confidence, respect and status.
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Self Actualisation needs - finally at the Self Actualisation needs - finally at the top of the hierarchy once all of the top of the hierarchy once all of the other levels have been reasonably other levels have been reasonably satisfied is the need to become the satisfied is the need to become the person that we feel that we are capable person that we feel that we are capable of becoming. This means that we have of becoming. This means that we have achieved what we consider to be our achieved what we consider to be our very best.very best.
PersonalityPersonalityTo Maslow, a self-actualised person is To Maslow, a self-actualised person is tuned into reality and at peace with tuned into reality and at peace with themselves – open, spontaneous, retain a themselves – open, spontaneous, retain a fresh appreciation of the world around fresh appreciation of the world around them, sensitive to the needs of others, them, sensitive to the needs of others, enjoy rewarding inter-personal relations, enjoy rewarding inter-personal relations, not dependent on others for approval, or not dependent on others for approval, or uncomfortable with solitude. Thrive on uncomfortable with solitude. Thrive on work, enjoy their sense of humour.work, enjoy their sense of humour.
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Humanistic perspectivesHumanistic perspectives– Like the psychodynamic – poor testabilityLike the psychodynamic – poor testability– Emphasises self-conceptEmphasises self-concept– Optimistic health oriented approach, focus on Optimistic health oriented approach, focus on
the healthy personality rather than the the healthy personality rather than the unhealthy one.unhealthy one.
– Too optimistic, idealisitic??Too optimistic, idealisitic??– Lack firm research baseLack firm research base
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The trait perspectiveThe trait perspective– Influential in personality descriptionsInfluential in personality descriptions
A personality trait is an enduring A personality trait is an enduring charactersitic that influences behaviourcharactersitic that influences behaviour– Cardinal traits – very generalCardinal traits – very general– Secondary traits – quite specificSecondary traits – quite specific
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The purpose of these traits is to describe The purpose of these traits is to describe and predict behaviour. This a person and predict behaviour. This a person described as friendly, should be so in a described as friendly, should be so in a wide range of different situations.wide range of different situations.
Eysenck suggested that much of Eysenck suggested that much of personality could be explained by genetics personality could be explained by genetics ie we inherit much of our personality – twin ie we inherit much of our personality – twin studies research.studies research.
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Eysenck put forward explanations as well Eysenck put forward explanations as well as descriptions.as descriptions.
3 fundamental dimensions of personality’3 fundamental dimensions of personality’
