Personality Psychology

Major Perspective in Psychology

1. Psychodynamic Perspective
The most popular approach for the past century. Sigmund Freud, its proponent made the
assumption that human motivation was propelled by conflicts mostly instinctual, unconscious,
psychological forces or the so-called intrapsychic elements such as id, ego, superego. There is a
dynamic mind, conscious and unconscious, that influence human behavior
2. Behavioral Perspective
John B. Watson, introduced scientific method in understanding human behavior. Psychology
should only concern itself with observable behavior.
3. Biopsychological Perspective
It assumes that human behavior and thought processes have a biological basis. Physiological
psychology, neuroscience, psychopharmacology are all part of biological perspective which relies
on scientific methods.
4. Cognitive Perspective
It suggests that human behavior can be controlled by thought processes like memory and
attention, belief systems, attitudes and language. Reason and intelligence have a significant
impact on why we do the things we do and act the way we act.
5. Socio-cultural Perspective
It explains that human behavior is influenced by social context, environmental, cultural and social
pressures. We are all shaped by the context of our environment which explains a great deal about
the causes of human behavior and thought processes.
6. Evolutionary Perspective
The underlying assumption of biological evolution is survival of the species. Human behavior is
the result of evolutionary processes.
7. Humanistic/Existential Perspectives
Humans are motivated by their potential to be creative and productive in response to their social
and environmental conditions. The existentialist recognizes the reality that we have to choose our
path for ourselves. Humanists, are hopeful and has potentials to grow in a positive manner. Both
emphasize free will and responsibility as central to the nature of being.
8. Feminist-poststructural Perspectives
It holds the view that knowledge is power, diversity is essential for human survival. All must be
examined in terms of rights and benefits.
Personality- “persona” (masks). A pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that
give consistency and individuality to a person’s behavior.
Trait- May be unique, common to some group, shared by the entire species, but their pattern is different
for each individual.
Theories- Set of abstract concepts. These are reflections of proponent’s background, experiences, culture,
philosophy, beliefs and interpersonal relationships.
Six perspective of Human Nature
1. Determinism versus Free Choice
Determinism: behaviors which they have no control
Free Choice: People can choose what they choose to be
2. Pessimism versus Optimism
Pessismism: People are doomed to live miserable, conflicted and troubled lives
Optimism: People can change and grow into psychologically healthy, happy human beings
3. Causality versus Teleology
Causality: People act as they do because of what has happened to them in the past
Teleology: They act because they have certain expectations of what will happen in the future
4. Conscious versus Unconscious Determinants
Conscious Determinants: People are aware of what they are doing and why they are doing it
Unconscious Determinants: Acting without awareness
5. Biological Factors versus Social Factors
Biological Factors: People mostly are creatures of biology
Social Factors: Personality are shaped largely by their social relationships
6. Uniqueness versus Similarities
Uniqueness: Concentrates on those traits that make people different
Similarities: Concentrates on those traits that make people alike
 MATRIX OF PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY (Sigmund Freud)

PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY

Psychosexual Stages Structure of The Ego’s

Personality
of Development Defense Mechanisms

Oral Id Repression

Anal Ego Denial

Phallic Superego Projection

Latency Reaction
Level of Formation
Consciousness
Genital
Regression
Conscious
Fixation Rationalization
Preconscious
Identification
Sexuality
Unconscious
Displacement
Libido
Interpretation of
Dreams Sublimation
Drive

Eros

Thanatos
 I. PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY (SIGMUND FREUD)
Sigmund Freud born in 1856 in Moravia, Czechoslovakia. Took medical studies, studied neurosis and
published books. He became controversial and developed a comprehensive psychological theories. He
died at the age of 83, due to the cancer of the jaw.
Freud gave emphasis on the unconscious process or memories or forces of which a person is unaware.
Conscious
Unconscious
Preconscious

 Methods to deal with repressed memories:

A. Free association- verbalizing everything that comes to mind
B. Dreams- is the royal road to the unconscious
Manifest Dreams- narrative story of a dream
Latent content- the underlying meaning and motive of a dream
C. Slips- are bungled acts: a slip of the tongue or a lapse of memory. Expresses a specific motive.
 Importance of sexuality (“the primary purpose of sexual behavior is pleasure.”)
Libido-sexual drive Eros-refers to life, impulses or drives
Drive-inner bodily source of excitement Thanatos-refers to death impulses
Autoerotic- the child seeks pleasure from their body (erogenous zone)
 Psychosexual stages of Development
1. Oral stage (birth to 1)- pleasure is in the mouth through breastfeeding & exploring toys in the
mouth. Conflict (overeating, gossiping, smoking, dependent & easily be influenced)
2. Anal Stage (2-3 yrs. old)-toilet-training (practicing self-control) obsession with cleanliness and
clumsiness
3. Phallic Stage ( 3-6 yrs. old)- curious with their genitals.
Oedipus Complex- young boy’s strong attachment to the mother
Electra Complex- young girl’s strong attachment to the father
Abnormal sex behaviors later in life.
4. Latency Stage -(7-11 yrs. old) impulses are channeled school, sports, peer relations. Enjoys the
company of same sex peers.
5. Genital Stage- (12-adult). Becoming sexually mature and work productively in society.

If each stage is not being satisfied, fixation occur (excessive needs).

 Structure of Personality
1. Id- “Core of our being”. Pleasure principle and wish fulfillment (basic drives, needs and wishes).
No precautions and acts immediately. Instant satisfaction.
2. Ego- “reality principle”, satisfying the Id’s impulses in appropriate manner. It may suspend or
redirect the id’s wishes based on the demand of reality.
3. Superego-“innermost core” and “in-dweling parent”. It represents internalized values, morals,
ideals and standards. It serves as the conscience and edo-ideal.

 Ego’s Defense Mechanism (to protect the ego from anxiety)

a. Repression- Involuntary act that prevents us from being aware of own conflicts and anxiety.
b. Denial- Refusing to acknowledge unpleasant reality
c. Projection-Attributing unpleasant impulse, attitude to others
d. Reaction Formation- expresses an impulse by its opposite
e. Regression-returning to an earlier form of expressing an impulse
f. Rationalization- faulty reasoning/alibis/excuses to cover up something
g. Identification- modeling of behavior of someone else
h. Displacement- shifting of impulse/emotions to another person or object
i. Sublimation-rechanneling an impulse into a more socially desirable outlet.

 Essence of Psychoanalytic Theory

In every actions, there is always a motive.
Events in the past can influence the present.
Adult behavior is shaped by earlier conflicts
Human beings are pleasure-seeker individuals who are driven by emotions.
“Life is essentially conflicted” full of unconscious anxieties and forces. Forming solutions to the
problem either out of fantasy or reality.
I. Psychoanalytic Theory (Sigmund Freud)
II. Ego Analytic Pscyhology (Erik Erickson)
III. Positive Psychology (Martin Seligman)
IV. Object-related Theory (Melanie Klein)
V. Personal Constructs (George Kelly)
VI. Analytical Psychology (Carl Jung)
VII. Existential Psychoanalysis (Rollo May)
VIII. Individual Theory (Alfred Adler)
IX. International Theory of Psychiatry (Harry S. Sullivan)
X. Psychoanalytic Social Theory / Neurotic Needs (Karen D. Horney)
XI. Dialectic Humanism Theory (Erich S. Fromm)
XII. Experimental Analysis of Behavior (John Dollard and Neil Miller)
XIII. Classical Conditioning (Ivan Petrovich Pavlov) and Operant Behavior
Conditioning Theory(B.FSkinner)
XIV. Social Cognitive Learning Theory (Albert Bandura)
XV. Psychology of the Individual (Gordon W. Allport)
XVI. Personology (Henry A. Murray)
XVII. Trait Theory (Raymond A. Cattell)
XVIII. Five Factor Theory (Hanz J. Eyeserck)
XIX. Humanistic Theory (Abraham Maslow)
XX. Theory of Existential Psychology (Rollo R. May)
XXI. Cognitive Behavioral Theory (Aaron Beck)
XXII. Separation Anxiety Theory (John M. Bowlby)
I. Psychoanalytic Theory (Sigmund Freud) Dr. M
II. Analytical Psychology (Carl Jung)
Short Biographical Background
Psyche Energy and the ego
Persona Unconscious and its complexes
Collective Unconscious
Archetypes and its kinds
The Attitudes
The Functions
Psychological Types” Introverted and Extroverted
Self-Realization and Synchronicity
Individuation and Transcendence
Essence of the theory

III. Existential Psychoanalysis (Rollo May)

Short Biographical Background
Existentialism
Essence of being
Powerlessness
Anxiety
Loss of values
Consciousness of self
Ontological level
Four stages of consciousness of self
Paradox
Six goals of integration
Essence of the theory

IV. Personal Constructs (George Kelly)

Short Biographical Background
Personal Construct
Constructive Alternativism
Fundamental Postulate and Corrolaries (11)
Self-construct and role
Emotions
Anxiety
Guilt
Aggression

V. Ego Analytic Pscyhology (Erik Erickson)

Short Biographical Background
Psychosocial Stages of Development (Including the virtue and basic conflict)
Essence of the theory

VI. Object Relations Theory (Melanie Klein)

Short Biographical Background
Object-Relations Theory
Projective Identification
Envy
Feminine Disposition
Essence of the theory

VII. Interpsychic Theories

A. Alfred Adler
Short Biographical Background
Social Interest
Finalism and fictional finalism
Striving for Superiority and feelings of inferiority
Style of life and its four primary types
Family Constellation
Birth Order
 The Creative Self
Essence of the theory

B. Harry Stack Sullivan

Short Biographical Background
Personality
Anxiety and Unawareness
Security Operations
Dynamisms
Personifications
Stages of Development
Cognitive Processes
Essence of the theory

VIII. Psychoanalytic Social Psychology

A. Karen Horney
Short Biographical Background
Basic Anxiety and basic evil
Neurotic Needs and Trends and its types
The idealized self & reals self
Alienation and tyranny of the should
The normal self and neurotic self
Womb envy
Essence of the theory

B. Erich Fromm
Short Biographical Background
Freedom
Three common escape mechanism
Five basic needs
Five character orientation
Two basic modes or orientation of existence
Essence of the theory

IX. Experimental Analysis of Behavior

A. John Dollard and Neal Miller
Short Biographical Background
Habits, drives (primary and secondary) and Reinforcer (primary and secondary)
Reflex
Four conceptual parts of learning process
Frustration and conflict
Types of conflict
Essence of the theory

B. B.F Skinner
Short Biographical Background
Reinforcement
Operant Conditioning
Shaping
Discrimination
Generalization
Schedule and types of reinforcement

X. Social Learning Theories

A. Albert Bandura
Short Biographical Background
Agentic Perspective
Triadic Reciprocal Causation
Observational Learning (observation, imitation and modeling)
Factors influence modeling
Four process of observational learning
Self-regulation, self-monitoring, self-judgment, and affective self-reaction
Reinforcements in observational learning
 Essence of the theory
Moral Disengagement
Self-Efficacy and collective efficacy
Essence of the theory

B. Julian Rotter
Short Biographical Background
Behavior potential
Expectancy
Reinforcement value
Psychological Situation
Essence of the theory

C. Walter Mischel
Short Biographical Background
Behavior Specificity
Cognitive-Affective Personality System
Behavioral Signature
Essence of the theory

XI. Traits and Personology

A. Gordon Allport
Short Biographical Background
Nature of Personality
Discontinue theory
Traits (common traits and personal disposition, cardinal, central and secondary
disposition)
The Proprium and its functions
Functional Autonomy, perseverative and propriate functional autonomy
Maturity and its criteria
Essence of the theory

B. Henry Murray
Short Biographical Background
Personology
Need and its type
Press
Essence of the theory

XII. Genetic and Evolutionary Theories

A. Raymond Catell
Short Biographical Background
Definition of Personality
Surface traits and source traits
The big five personality traits

B. Hans Eysenck
Short Biographical Background
Four elementsl of the cosmos
Hierarchial model of Personality Development
Two fundamental personality dimension or superfactors
Traits of psychoticism
Intelligence and Creativity
Essence of the theory
XIII. Humanism
A. Abraham Maslow
Short Biographical Background
Motivation (B and D needs)
Hierarchy of Needs (updated)
Self-actualizing persons and they characteristics
Peak experience
Essence of the theory
B. Rollo May
 Short Biographical Background
Phenomenology
Actualization
Self-concept
Congruence and Incongruence
Positive regard (conditional and unconditional)
Conditions of worth
Positive Self-regard
Essence of the theory

XIV. Cognitive Behavioral Theories

A. Albert Ellis
Short Biographical Background
A-B-C theory of personality
Dysfunctional beliefs
B. Aaron Beck
Short Biographical Background
Schema
Automatic thoughts
Cognitive Distortions (6)
The cognitive triad
Essence of the theory
C. Arnold Lazarus
Short Biographical Background
Thresholds
Basic ID
Essence of the theory