Chapter 1 - Lecture notes 1 PDF

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Chapter 1- What is Personality? ● Consistent behavior patterns and intrapersonal processes originating within the individual ○ Consistent patterns of behavior ■ To an extent, individual behavior is consistent across time and situations● Intrapersonal Processes ○ Emotional, motivational, and cognitiv...

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Chapter 1- What is Personality? ● Consistent behavior patterns and intrapersonal processes originating within the individual ○ Consistent patterns of behavior ■ To an extent, individual behavior is consistent across time and situations ● Intrapersonal Processes ○ Emotional, motivational, and cognitive processes that influence individuals feelings and actions The Person and the Situation ● Both the situation and the person contribute to behavior ● Individuals personality determines: ○ How different he/she is from others ○ How he/she behaves in the diff. situations Approaches to Personality Psychoanalytic Theory ● Unconscious mind is responsible for important differences in behavioral styles ● This is what you are not aware of (unconscious) Trait Theory ● An individual lies along a continuum of various personality characteristics ● Explains individuality (ex. Why two twin sisters are polar opposites) You can explain anything in terms of OCEAN Openness Consciousness Extraversion Agreeableness Neuroticism Biological Theory (genes, race, etc) ● Inherited predispositions and physiological processes contribute to differences in personality Humanistic Theory ● Personal Responsibility and feelings of self acceptance cause differences in personality ● Motivation, how happy you are in your life and how that affects your personality Behavioral/ Social Learning Theory ● Consistent Behavior patterns are the result of conditioning and expectations Cognitive Theory

● People process info to explain differences in behavior ● How we think Aggression Psychoanalytic approach expl: ● People possess an unconscious desire to self-destruct ● Self destructive impulses are expressed against others in the form of aggression ● Aggression occurs when people are blocked from reaching their goal Trait approach expl: ● Focuses on individual differences and the stability of aggressive behavior ○ Aggressive children are more likely to become aggressive adults Biological Approach expl: ● Genetic predisposition towards aggression ● Evolutionary theory Humanistic Approach expl: ● People are basically good ● Aggression arises when something interferes w/ natural growth process ○ Inadequate basic needs, poor self image Behavioral/Social Approach expl: ● People learn to be aggressive ● Aggressive behavior that's rewarded will be repeated Cognitive Expl: ● Certain cues in the environment trigger a network of aggressive thoughts and emotions (trigger does not have to be tangible, it's more of the concept- just thinking about someone that makes you mad) Check-In How would each of the 6 main theories explain depression? Psychoanalytic approach expl: ● Depression is a result of holding unconscious feelings of anger and hostility Trait Approach expl: ● Focuses on identifying depression-prone individuals ● Person’s general emotional level at present can indicate that person’s emotional levels in the future Biological Approach expl: ● Certain people inherit a genetic susceptibility to depression Humanistic Approach expl: ● People frequently suffering from depression are those who have low self-worth Behavioral/ Social Approach’s expl:

● Depression results from a lack of positive reinforcers in a person’s life Cognitive Approach expl: ● Depression depends on how people interpret their inability to control events ● Certain individuals use a depressive filter to interpret and process info Depression ● What causes depression? ○ Depending on which approach to personality you adopt, you might explain depression in terms of: ■ Anger turned inward ■ A stable trait ■ An inherited predisposition ■ Low self-esteem ■ A lack of reinforcers ■ Negative thoughts Personality and Culture ● Cultural context influences an individual's personality ● Individualistic cultures: ○ Emphasize on individual needs and accomplishments ○ Individuals perceive themselves as independent and unique ○ Includes Northern European countries and the United States ● Collectivist Cultures: emphasize on belonging to a larger group ○ Family , tribe, or nation ○ Includes Asian, African, Central American, and SOuth AMerican countries ● Cultural context influences interpretation of an individual's behavior *There will alway be the nature vs. nurture debate*...