Personality Psychology Social Relationships And...

Personality psychology aims to describe what the key features of personality are as a means to explain why people exhibit differences in their personality. This can, in turn, be used to examine the relationship between personality and the actions and behaviours of individuals. The focus of this paper is the analysis of Steve’s case based on his behaviour, social relationships and childhood experiences. Four theories are considered in the analysis of Steve’s personality and how it affects the way he forms relationships. Freud’s topographical model is used to describe why Steve’s behaviour is sex driven. Horney’s personality development and anxiety concepts are used to explain Steve’s fixation with sex and to determine the origin of his disturbed interpersonal relationships. Finally, Ainsworth and Bowlby’s attachment theory is used examine how the parent-child relationship influences personality as well as how expectations about rela tionships are formed based on experiences with parents. Topographical model Freud’s psychoanalytical approach emphasized the unconscious workings of the mind when explaining human behavior. Freud divided personality into three areas: conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. This became the topographical model. He explained that the conscious portion is made up of the thoughts a person is aware of. The preconscious portion is made of accessible and retrievable information, and the unconscious is made up of information that has no immediateShow MoreRelatedThe Persistence Of Temperament And Personality1469 Words   |  6 PagesTemperament and Personality. 12. October. 2015 Abstract This paper will explore the topic of temperament and personality in developmental psychology. I will provide definitions, statistics and examples to explain what temperament is then following what personality is. After drawing the connection between temperament and personality I will conclude that although temperament is the building block to what results a person’s personality it does not mean personality is unchangeableRead MorePersonality Is A Definition Of Personality1483 Words   |  6 PagesPersonality is a word that is known to come from the Latin word persona which is defined as the ‘mask’. The definition of personality is quite eclectic as there are many opinions on what a personality is and what it consists of. â€Å"†¦the most adequate conceptualisation of a person’s behaviour in all its detail† (McClelland, 1951, p.69) is a historical definition of personality. More narrowly, personality is described as the amalgamation of qualities or characteristics and the behavioural attitudes thatRead MoreErik Erikson s Explanation Of Psychosocial Development1504 Words   |  7 Pagesexplanation of psychosocial development is one of the best-known theories of personality in psychology. The term psychosocial development is the pattern of change in emotions, personality and social relationship (â€Å"A Child’s World† 10). Erikson believed that the achievements and failures of earlier stages influence later stages, whereas later stages change and transform earlier ones. His theory shows the impact on social relationships throughout one’s entire life. Each individual goes through eight developmentalRead MoreAssess the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Psychodynamic Approach to Understanding Personality1681 Words   |  7 PagesStrengths and Weaknesses of the Psychodynamic approach to understanding personality The psychodynamic approach was proposed by Freud. This approach towards personality is based on the notion of underlying forces such as the id, ego and superego which are either present from birth or develop during childhood shape our behaviour and personality as such. Experiences in childhood are proposed to be the basis of human personality, according to Freud and as such Psychodynamic theory proposes that someRead MoreInfluences of Attachment Theory on Personality Development 1148 Words   |  5 PagesThe concepts proposed by attachment theory have been very influential to the field of personality psychology. Over the years, many studies have supported the notion that mother-child attachment styles during childhood can impact future styles of behavior. Research conducted by Festa and Ginsburg (2011) examined the impact of parental and peer factors on the development of social anxiety amongst children. Further research conducted by Li and Chan (2012) examined the specific impact o f anxiety andRead MorePersonality: Genetically Inherited or Developed Essay1004 Words   |  5 PagesThe foremost differentiation between human beings lies within an individual’s personality. A person’s personality lies in the individual’s general profile or within the unique mixture of psychological qualities of character that relates to that individuals distinctive nature. The individual’s distinctive mixture of psychological aspect guides the way in which that specific human being reacts and interacts with the others or their surroundings. Ones character contains a set of mental distinctivenessRead MorePathological Psychology : Abnormal Psychology1204 Words   |  5 Pagesconduct that goes against what is classified as ordinary in society. The study of this sort of behavior is abnormal psychology. Abnormal psychology focuses on atypical sequences of conduct, feelings, and ideas. Since disorders are any form of interruption in the methodical functioni ng of an individual, it can be viewed upon as abnormal. A branched area of abnormal psychology includes personality disorders, which indicates a mental disturbance. These particular types of disorders lead to a fixed form ofRead MoreThe Child That Lives From Within1681 Words   |  7 PagesAHSS 1210 21 November 2014 The Child that Lives from Within Introduction The social sciences often question if psychopathic behaviour is innate or a product of a social environment. Recently, nurture-based theories has gained credibility in understanding how a child’s upbringings can trigger psychopathic behaviour. In the movie Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock, Norman Bates’ downfall proposes how crucial a healthy childhood is to mental health rather than biological vulnerability. Contrary to nature-focusedRead MoreThe Child That Lives From Within1611 Words   |  7 PagesAHSS 1210 21 November 2014 The Child that Lives from Within The social sciences often question if psychopathic behaviour is innate or a product of social environment. The answer seems difficult to discern because it is not split down into equal parts of nurture and nature, but rather rely on one another for a better understanding. In the movie Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock, Norman Bates’ downfall proposes how crucial a healthy childhood is to the mental state of developing child. Contrary to nature focusedRead MoreErik Erikson s Theory Of Psychosocial Development1359 Words   |  6 Pagesvery important. Erik Erikson’s developmental theory is the development of a person’s identity. Erikson states, â€Å"The conscience sense of self that is developed through social interaction.† Erik Erikson was a psychoanalyst who believed that, on an â€Å"unconscious level, we form basic beliefs about ourselves and our relationship to our social world as we go through life† says an online article. Erikson was a German – born, â€Å"American developmental psychologist,† who was known for his theory of psychosocial