Personality
consists of the consistent enduring and unique characteristics of a person.
unconscious
the part of the mind that contains material that we are unaware of but that strongly influences conscious processes and behaviors.
Id
part of the unconscious personality that contains our needs, drives, instincts, and repressed material.
ego
part of the personality that is in touch with reality and strives to meet the demands of the id and the superego in socially acceptable ways.
super ego
part of the personality that is the source of conscience and counteracts the socially undesirable impulses of the id.
Defense Mechanisms
certain specific means by which the ego unconsciously protects itself against unpleasant impulses or circumstances.
Collective Unconscious
the part of the mind that contains inherited instincts, urges, and memories common to all people.
Archetype
an inherited idea, based on the experiences of one's ancestors, which shapes one's perception of the world.
Inferiority Complex
a pattern of avoiding feelings of inadequacy rather than trying to overcome their source.
Behaviorism
belief that the proper subject matter of psychology is objectively observable behavior and nothing else.
Contingencies of Reinforcement
the occurrence of rewards or punishments following particular behaviors.
Humanistic Psychology
a school of psychology that emphasizes personal growth and the achievement of maximum potential by each unique individual.
Self-Actualization
the humanist term for realizing one's unique potential.
self
one's experience or image of oneself, developed through interaction with others.
positive regard
viewing oneself in a positive light due to positive feedback received from interaction with others.
Conditions of Worth
the conditions a person must meet in order to regard himself or herself positively.
Unconditional Positive Regard
the perception that individuals' significant others value them for what they are, which leads the individuals to grant themselves the same regard .
Fully Functioning
an individual whose person and self coincide.
trait
a tendency to react to a situation in a way that remains stable over time.
cardinal trait
a characteristic or feature that is so pervasive the person is almost identified with it.
factor analysis
a complex statistical technique used to identify the underlying reasons variables are correlated.
surface trait
a stable characteristic that can be observed in certain situations.
source trait
a stable characteristic that can be considered to be at the core of personality.
extravert
an outgoing, active person who directs his or her energies and interests toward other people and things.
introvert
a reserved, withdrawn person who is preoccupied with his or her inner thoughts and feelings.