PSY230H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Neurology, Psychoanalytic Theory, Personality Psychology
Definition: Consistent behavior patterns and intrapersonal processes originating within the
individual. (Burger, 2015)
However, personality can change a little bit throughout time and from situation to situation.
Intrapersonal processes: The internal processes which influence their behavior not just traits (like
the big five). However, the traits which influence these interpersonal processes are what
distinguishes personality psychology from social psychology.
In this class, we are going to cover a number of different topics and approaches to understanding
personality. However, before we do this we are going to talk about research methods in the area
of personality and psychology.
Psychoanalytic theory: Freud and his theories which influenced the earlier field (less
empirical/scientific). Neofreudian theories are theories of freud’s contemporaries and people
who influenced by him and took his theories/changed them a bit but applied them nevertheless.
Trait approach to psychology: traits which are thought to define a persons personality. These
often rely on introspection/and self report measures.
Biological theories: Theories in neurology and physiology which influences personality and
human behaviour.
Humanistic approach; Abraham Maslowe and karl rogers are the famous people in this area and
its this idea of looking at a person as a whole and the existential experience.
Behavioural approaches: how behaviour reflects personality but not actually because
behaviourists ignore cognition.
Cognitive approach: has to do with the schemas which we have about ourselves. This includes
concepts like the actual vs desired self. Qualities which are central to our self concept (this can
include negative traits).
Personality and Pathology will be our final topic so personality disorders/abnormal psychology
basically maladaptive personality.
Questions about personality psychology include questions on whether or not nature or nurture,
conscious vs unconscious, and genetics vs environment influence our behaviour.
Cancer patient woman case study is the conscious vs unconscious example
Researchers have also found brain waves associated with choice occurring in people in fmri up
to 7s before they make a choice which is a neurological interpretation of do we really have free
will?
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PSY230H1 Full Course Notes
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Document Summary
Definition: consistent behavior patterns and intrapersonal processes originating within the individual. (burger, 2015) However, personality can change a little bit throughout time and from situation to situation. Intrapersonal processes: the internal processes which influence their behavior not just traits (like the big five). However, the traits which influence these interpersonal processes are what distinguishes personality psychology from social psychology. In this class, we are going to cover a number of different topics and approaches to understanding personality. However, before we do this we are going to talk about research methods in the area of personality and psychology. Psychoanalytic theory: freud and his theories which influenced the earlier field (less empirical/scientific). Neofreudian theories are theories of freud s contemporaries and people who influenced by him and took his theories/changed them a bit but applied them nevertheless. Trait approach to psychology: traits which are thought to define a persons personality. These often rely on introspection/and self report measures.
