Conclusion - Well-adjusted Personality PDF

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Professor: Mark Leary...

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Conclusion - Well-adjusted Personality Sunday, December 9, 2018

5:22 PM

What is personality for? - To interact with the world, adapt to the environment - Should work together to maximize well-being --> "well-adjusted" - None of us have this perfectly well-adjusted personality ○ Some patterns have better outcomes than other patterns What are the elements of a well-adjusted personality? - First, what is adjustment ○ "Adjustment" is not in itself a trait § Outcomes of interactions with the environment § Patterns of traits ○ "Adjustment" is not stable § Varies when situations change § We change --> we develop adaptive ways things like situations and environments affect us over our lifetimes 1. Lack of Psychopathy ○ Can't be well-adjusted if there is something that disrupts our psychology ○ Compromises adjustment and well-being 2. The ability to get along with others + maintain relationships ○ Get along with people generally ○ Positive social interactions ○ Accepted by others as a social participant ○ Have at least a few strong, supportive relationships ○ Those who are not well adjusted in this aspect: § Conflicts with others § Unstable relationships □ Shorter-lived relationships as well § Inadequate supportive relationships ○ Interpersonal adjustment variables § High agreeableness § Low neuroticism □ Emotional reactivity causes struggles in relationships § Secure attachment style (vs. avoidant/anxious) § Interpersonal trust

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□ Able to enter relationships with low paranoia □ Doesn't mean naivety though § Empathy □ Able to understand other people § Lower self-centeredness and selfishness □ Do not disadvantage others to get ahead § Socio-emotional intelligence □ Skills to get along with other people □ E.g. seeing other's perspectives, read other people, respond appropriately The ability to pursue and achieve goals ○ Able to pursue and achieve goals they set for themselves ○ Doesn't have to mean "successful" in the normal sense § Failure is still inevitable § Lack of failure might mean lack of goals ○ Poor adjustment § Failure to initiate actions towards one's goals § Failure to inhibit behaviors that go against the goals § Failure to maintain effort over time in pursuit of goals ○ Effective goal pursuit variables § Conscientiousness □ Planning, organization, carefulness § Self control, self-regulatory skills § Low impulsivity § Internal locus of control □ Belief that outcomes are due to own behaviors § Self-efficacy □ Thinking that they have the ability to do things they set out to do The ability to cope with problems ○ Dealing with problems more effectively, both emotionally and behaviorally ○ "Resilient" § Description of how well-adjusted people respond to problems and stressful events § Not a trait itself - lots of things that underlie it ○ Effective coping variables § Low neuroticism, low in BIS (punishment avoiding)

Optimism □ Sense that I can make things better § Self-efficacy □ I have the capability to deal with this problem □ Self-appraisal ○ Coping strategies § Problem-focused coping - targets causes of stress § Cognitive reframing (thinking about problems differently) § Flexible in use of coping tactics □ Some coping tactics appropriate with certain situations rather than others □ Being able to use the most effective one in certain scenarios Sense of subjective well-being - has to be realistic ○ Despite what happens in life, still unsatisfied, unhappy ○ Excessively high expectations of themselves or for their life § 15% might actually be something to look for ○ Negative self-belief § Can't judge self accurately, lower/more negatively ○ Excessive worrying about the future ○ Lack of purpose or meaning in life ○ Results from how we talk to ourselves about ourselves and our lives §

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Takeaways - Appreciation of and respect for psychological diversity ○ Since we're all different, we won't always understand others or how they see the world ○ Conflicts arise from differences in personality ○ Need to realize this and think about it in interactions ○ There is also a gigantic shared core of human nature § Different routes to these needs = different behaviors - Concepts for thinking about own and others' behavior ○ Why people do the things they do § Dynamics that underlie human behavior § Personality and environmental factors - Understanding complexity of personality influences ○ We don't pick our personalities ○ We are shaped differently

Genetics, environmental consequences § Evolutionary basis, genetic basis, biological basis (neurotransmitters, hormones), developmental experiences, experiential Insights for dealing with problems caused by personality ○ Most problems are people problems - social § Caused by people, happens to people § Knowing the psychological sources and problems can lead to solutions ○ Accept weakness, limitations, understand them as you work towards being well-adjusted ○ Play to personality strengths Clearer more honest understanding of the self ○ Self-understanding is require for a satisfying life ○

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