PSYC 387 UNL Exam 1 Study Guide: Quizzes with
Complete Solutions
Personality
consistent behavior patterns and intrapersonal processes originating within the individual
Goal of Personality Psychology
explain the whole person in his/her daily environment
kinds of questions that personality psychology seeks to answer
How is the focus of personality psychology different than other fields?
clinical psych: both attempt to understand the whole person
-normal vs. extreme patterns of personality
emphasizes individual differences
-other areas treat all people as if they were the same
basic approaches to personality
complements>competitors
not One Big Theory
-it's difficult to do everything well
Trait approach
people lie on a continuum of personality characteristics
, aggression: focuses on individual differences and the stability of aggressive behavior
-aggressive children are more likely to become aggressive adults
depression: focuses on identifying depression-prone individuals
-person's general emotional level at present can indicate that person's emotions in the future
Biological approach
understand the mind in terms of the body
aggression: genetic predisposition towards aggression
-evolutionary theory
depression: certain people inherit a genetic susceptibility to depression
-levels of neurotransmitters
Psychoanalytic approach
primary concern is with the unconscious mind and internal mental conflict
aggression: people possess an unconscious desire to self-destruct
-self-destructive impulses are expressed against others in the form of aggression
depression: is a result of holding unconscious feelings of anger and hostility
Phenomenological approach
Complete Solutions
Personality
consistent behavior patterns and intrapersonal processes originating within the individual
Goal of Personality Psychology
explain the whole person in his/her daily environment
kinds of questions that personality psychology seeks to answer
How is the focus of personality psychology different than other fields?
clinical psych: both attempt to understand the whole person
-normal vs. extreme patterns of personality
emphasizes individual differences
-other areas treat all people as if they were the same
basic approaches to personality
complements>competitors
not One Big Theory
-it's difficult to do everything well
Trait approach
people lie on a continuum of personality characteristics
, aggression: focuses on individual differences and the stability of aggressive behavior
-aggressive children are more likely to become aggressive adults
depression: focuses on identifying depression-prone individuals
-person's general emotional level at present can indicate that person's emotions in the future
Biological approach
understand the mind in terms of the body
aggression: genetic predisposition towards aggression
-evolutionary theory
depression: certain people inherit a genetic susceptibility to depression
-levels of neurotransmitters
Psychoanalytic approach
primary concern is with the unconscious mind and internal mental conflict
aggression: people possess an unconscious desire to self-destruct
-self-destructive impulses are expressed against others in the form of aggression
depression: is a result of holding unconscious feelings of anger and hostility
Phenomenological approach
