Personality Theory Lecture

Introduction to Personality Theory

Today's topic: Personality theory (last section before final)
Personality theory is based on different schools of thought
- Major ones: Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Behaviorism
- Others mentioned but not covered: Functionalism, Structuralism
Personality: A unique but stable way of interacting, thinking, and feeling
- Relatively stable especially in adulthood
- Characteristics: calmness, reliability, responsibility, etc.

Iceberg Model
- Conscious: Thoughts/feelings we are currently aware of
- Preconscious: Memory accessible but not in current awareness
- Unconscious: Larger part, contains thoughts/feelings we are unaware of but influence us

Id: Instinctual drives (sex and aggression), operates on pleasure principle
Ego: Develops in childhood, mediates between Id and reality, operates on reality principle
Superego: Internalized morals and values, develops in childhood, operates on morality principle

Anxiety originates in unconscious mind due to conflicts between Id and Superego
Ego uses defense mechanisms to manage anxiety:
- Repression: Forgetting distressing thoughts
- Rationalization: Justifying behavior
- Displacement: Redirecting emotions to safer outlet
- Sublimation: Channeling inappropriate impulses into acceptable activities

Oral Stage (0-18 months): Satisfaction from sucking
- Fixation: Nail-biting, overeating, smoking
Anal Stage (1.5-3 years): Satisfaction from controlling bodily functions (potty training)
- Fixation: Obsessive, controlling behavior
Phallic Stage (3-6 years): Oedipus/Electra complex, sexual attraction toward opposite-sex parent
Latency Stage (6-11 years): Sexual instincts dormant, focus on social and cognitive skills
Genital Stage (adolescence): Sexual instincts re-emerge, focus on relationships with peers

Student of Freud, diverged on key points
Emphasized less on sexuality, more on collective unconscious
Collective Unconscious: Shared, universal memories and archetypes inherited from ancestors
Archetypes: Basic universal symbols (e.g., The Shadow)
- Jung well-known for concepts of Introversion/Extroversion

Another student of Freud, focused on striving for superiority
Proposed Birth Order Theory:
- Firstborns: Responsible, achievement-oriented
- Middle children: Overlooked, adaptable, peacemakers
- Youngest children: Pampered, sociable, self-centered
- Only children: Exhibit traits of both firstborn and youngest, often mature for their age