PSY 402 Chapter 8: Week 9 - Personality

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 402
• Professor: Paul Brunet

Document Summary

Freud"s approach is called the psychodynamic perspective and it emphasizes the ways in which unconscious motives and impulses express themselves in peoples personalities. Many people think that his perspective suggests that personality doesn"t change after childhood. Freudian theory today divides into three main branches: ego psychology, theory of defence mechanisms, and adult attachment theory. Ego: part of the mind that controls rational thought the centre of superego and id. Ego psychologists believe that the ego plays a central role in directing behaviour. Erickson"s theory proposes that the ego develops as individuals face biological, psychological and social forces these include eight stages (identity and generativity are the most important) Identity status interview: developed by james marcia, examines the degree of commitment and exploration the individual uses to find their identity. These individuals are balanced in thinking, mature in relationships, thoughtful about life options. These individuals are higher in self esteem, closed minded, rigid.