Personality Development
This text delves into psychodynamic and cognitive theories of personality, examining their aims to explain individual differences and improve life. Key concepts include Freud's structural model of personality—Id, Ego, and Superego—and the role of unconscious motivations. We explore the five stages of personality development and how childhood experiences shape adult behavior. The importance of therapies like free association and dream analysis in uncovering the unconscious mind's influence on personality is also highlighted.
Personality Development
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Presentation Transcript
Personality Development Lap 4 Psychodynamic and Cognitive Theories Part I
Theories of Personality • Goal- to EXPLAIN similarities/ differences • To provide reasons for differences in personalities • To discover patterns • To determine how life can be improved
Psychodynamic Theories • Personality/ behavior is the result of unconscious motivations and conflicts • Only a small part of the mind is conscious • Unconscious- things recalled with effort • Theorists: Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Alfred Adler • Criticisms include the unscientific nature of the ideas • Ignores the “neurological” parts of the brain
Freud and Personality • Personality develops at different stages in life • The Structure of Personality: • Behavior is the result of interaction and conflict between 3 elements • Id- inborn, impulsive, instinctive drives • Demands satisfaction • Libido-- Life-preserving (sexual) drive • Aggressive, destructive drive • Pleasure Principle– impulses should be satisfied, regardless of consequences!
Freud and Personality • The structure of personality: • Ego- Executive agent of personality • Mediates between self and world • Compromise to satisfy the demands of the ID– reason and strategy • Reality principle- delays pleasure until a suitable object available • Defense Mechanisms to protect it (Lap 2) • Denial, repression, projection, intellectualization, etc
Freud and Personality • The structure of personality: • Superego- Conscience/ moral standards/ right vs wrong • Superego blocks the aggressive and sexual impulses of the ID • Controls the ID • Ideal Self- how we should be… leads to feelings of guilt or pride
Freud • Personality develops over time • Childhood experiences continue to influence behaviors • 5 Stages of Personality Development • Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital • Milestones and conflicts of each • Oedipus complex in phallic stage • Focused on the role of primitive urges/ sexual instincts
Freud • Conflict leads to maladjustment • Goal of therapy- to uncover the hidden root of current problems and reveal the unconscious mind • Therapy methods - “talking outo” lead to “free association” and dream analysis • Dreams: the expression of emotional memories