Personality Theories
Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory
● Personality: Enduring characteristics that differentiate people and make us unique.
● Components of Personality:
○ Id: Present from birth, unconscious source of instincts; operates on the pleasure
principle.
○ Ego: Conscious, rational; mediates between the id and reality (reality principle).
○ Superego: Morality; includes:
■ Conscience: Enforces moral behavior with guilt.
■ Ego Ideal: Rewards adherence to ideals with pride.
Defense Mechanisms (Ego's Tools for Managing Anxiety)
● Repression: Burying distressing thoughts in the unconscious.
● Denial: Refusal to acknowledge reality.
● Projection: Attributing one’s impulses to others.
● Displacement: Redirecting impulses to safer outlets.
● Reaction Formation: Acting opposite to true feelings.
● Rationalization: Justifying unacceptable behavior.
● Sublimation: Channeling impulses into constructive activities.
Freud’s Psychosexual Stages
1. Oral (0–1.5 years): Focus on the mouth; fixation leads to dependency.
2. Anal (1.5–3 years): Focus on control; fixation can lead to orderliness or messiness.
3. Phallic (3–6 years): Oedipus Complex emerges.
4. Latency (6–puberty): Sexual impulses are dormant.
5. Genital (puberty–death): Mature sexual relationships form.
Trait Theories
● Traits: Enduring personality dimensions.
● The Big Five Traits:
○ Openness: Imaginative vs. practical.
○ Conscientiousness: Organized vs. careless.
○ Extraversion: Sociable vs. reserved.
○ Agreeableness: Kind vs. antagonistic.
○ Neuroticism: Stable vs. anxious.
Abnormal Psychology
Defining Abnormality
● Deviation from Norms: Unusual or rare behaviors.
● Personal Discomfort: Causes distress, anxiety, or guilt.
● Dysfunction: Interferes with daily life (e.g., social or occupational).
Mood Disorders
● Major Depression: Severe sadness, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal.
● Bipolar Disorder: Alternates between:
○ Mania: Euphoria, high energy, impulsive behavior, invulnerability.
Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory
● Personality: Enduring characteristics that differentiate people and make us unique.
● Components of Personality:
○ Id: Present from birth, unconscious source of instincts; operates on the pleasure
principle.
○ Ego: Conscious, rational; mediates between the id and reality (reality principle).
○ Superego: Morality; includes:
■ Conscience: Enforces moral behavior with guilt.
■ Ego Ideal: Rewards adherence to ideals with pride.
Defense Mechanisms (Ego's Tools for Managing Anxiety)
● Repression: Burying distressing thoughts in the unconscious.
● Denial: Refusal to acknowledge reality.
● Projection: Attributing one’s impulses to others.
● Displacement: Redirecting impulses to safer outlets.
● Reaction Formation: Acting opposite to true feelings.
● Rationalization: Justifying unacceptable behavior.
● Sublimation: Channeling impulses into constructive activities.
Freud’s Psychosexual Stages
1. Oral (0–1.5 years): Focus on the mouth; fixation leads to dependency.
2. Anal (1.5–3 years): Focus on control; fixation can lead to orderliness or messiness.
3. Phallic (3–6 years): Oedipus Complex emerges.
4. Latency (6–puberty): Sexual impulses are dormant.
5. Genital (puberty–death): Mature sexual relationships form.
Trait Theories
● Traits: Enduring personality dimensions.
● The Big Five Traits:
○ Openness: Imaginative vs. practical.
○ Conscientiousness: Organized vs. careless.
○ Extraversion: Sociable vs. reserved.
○ Agreeableness: Kind vs. antagonistic.
○ Neuroticism: Stable vs. anxious.
Abnormal Psychology
Defining Abnormality
● Deviation from Norms: Unusual or rare behaviors.
● Personal Discomfort: Causes distress, anxiety, or guilt.
● Dysfunction: Interferes with daily life (e.g., social or occupational).
Mood Disorders
● Major Depression: Severe sadness, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal.
● Bipolar Disorder: Alternates between:
○ Mania: Euphoria, high energy, impulsive behavior, invulnerability.
