Personality Development, Trait and Self Theories Personality Development Theories –Psychodynamic Approach- Freud –Adler’s Individual Psychology Theory –Erikson’s Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development Trait Theories –The Big 5 –Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Based on Carl Jung’s psychological types Self-Theory- Humanistic Theory and Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow Victor Frankl: Search for Meaning Virginia Satir: Self-Worth

Some Key Freudian Terms Psyche: Freud’s term for the personality; contains id, ego, and superego Id: composed of the basic biological drives, such as hunger, thirst, sexual impulses, survival –Pleasure principal- demands immediate gratification Superego (conscience): values, morals, religious beliefs, ideals of parents and society –Develops around age 4

Ego to the Rescue EGO= the reality principle –Develops after first year of life Id and Superego in conflict –Creates anxiety Ego encourages id to seek gratification through realistic and socially acceptable means –Ego creates defense mechanisms, which distorts id’s impulses into socially acceptable forms

Freud: Levels of Awareness Unconscious: Holds repressed memories and emotions and the id’s instinctual drives Conscious: Everything you are aware of at a given moment including thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and memories Preconscious: Material that can easily be brought into awareness

Fig. 12-5, p. 400

Adler’s Individual Psychology Theory Inferiority complex –Drives us toward superiority Compensation- a good thing Over-compensation- not so healthy Superiority- living up to your highest potential –Explains motivation Large focus on early childhood experiences

Erik Erikson’s Eight Stages of Psychosocial Dilemmas

p. 107

Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Dilemna/Development mz86o

Life Events Developmental tasks: Any skill that must be mastered, or personal change that must take place, for optimal development (e.g., learning to read and adjusting to sexual maturity) Psychosocial dilemma: Conflict between personal impulses and the social world

Stage One: Trust versus Mistrust (Birth–1) Children are completely dependent on others –Trust: Established when babies given adequate warmth, touching, love, and physical care –Mistrust: Caused by inadequate or unpredictable care and by cold, indifferent, and rejecting parents

Stage Two: Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt (1–3) Autonomy: Doing things for themselves Overprotective or ridiculing parents may cause children to doubt abilities and feel shameful about their actions

Stage Three: Initiative versus Guilt (3–5) Initiative: Parents reinforce via giving children freedom to play, use imagination, and ask questions Guilt: May occur if parents criticize, prevent play, or discourage a child’s questions

Stage Four: Industry versus Inferiority (6–12) Industry: Occurs when child is praised for productive activities, such as painting and building Inferiority: Occurs if child’s efforts are regarded as messy or inadequate

Stage Five (Adolescence): Identity versus Role Confusion Identity: For adolescents; problems answering, “Who am I?” Role Confusion: Occurs when adolescents are unsure of where they are going and who they are

Stage Six (Young Adulthood): Intimacy versus Isolation Intimacy: Ability to care about others and to share experiences with them Isolation: Feeling alone and uncared for in life

Stage Seven (Middle Adulthood): Generativity versus Stagnation Generativity: Interest in guiding the next generation Stagnation: When one is only concerned with one’s own needs and comforts

Stage Eight (Late Adulthood): Integrity versus Despair Integrity: Self-respect; developed when people have lived richly and responsibly Despair: Occurs when previous life events are viewed with regret; experiences heartache and remorse

Trait Theories Attempt to learn what traits make up personality and how they relate to actual behavior Remember: Personality traits are the stable and consistent personal characteristics Trait theories describe personality but don’t show how people developed those traits

The “Big Five” Personality Factors: Traits that relate to temperament Openness to experience Conscientiousness Extroversion Agreeableness Neuroticism

Self-theory: Carl Rogers and Humanistic Theory Unconditional positive regard (UPR)- Love or unconditional acceptance is given regardless of behavior. –Leads to a positive realistic self-concept, high self-esteem and self-respect (page 65)

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow Self-actualization: Process of fulfillment of one’s own unique potentials –The key is self-concept Peak experiences: Temporary moments of self-actualization Think about these times in our lives. Let’s discuss.

Characteristics of Self- Actualizers Efficient perceptions of reality Comfortable acceptance of self, others, and nature Spontaneity Task centering Autonomy

Characteristics of Self- Actualizers (cont) Continued freshness of appreciation Fellowship with humanity Profound interpersonal relationships Comfort with solitude Non-hostile sense of humor Peak experiences

How to Become Self-Actualized (Maslow, 1971) Be willing to change Take responsibility Examine your motives Experience honestly and directly

How to Become Self-Actualized (Maslow, 1971) (cont) Make use of positive experiences Be prepared to be different Get involved Assess your progress