1.
Trait Theories
Big Five Personality Traits (Five-Factor Model):
o Openness to Experience: Creativity, curiosity, and willingness to try
new things.
o Conscientiousness: Organization, dependability, and attention to detail.
o Extraversion: Sociability, enthusiasm, and assertiveness.
o Agreeableness: Compassion, cooperativeness, and trust.
o Neuroticism: Emotional instability, anxiety, and moodiness.
Eysenck’s Three Factor Model:
o Extraversion: Level of sociability and activity.
o Neuroticism: Emotional instability and stress.
o Psychoticism: Aggressiveness and interpersonal hostility.
2. Psychoanalytic Theories
Sigmund Freud’s Psychodynamic Theory:
o Id: The primal, unconscious part of the personality that seeks immediate
gratification.
o Ego: The rational part that mediates between the id and the superego.
o Superego: The moralistic part that incorporates societal norms and
values.
o Defense Mechanisms: Strategies used by the ego to protect itself from
anxiety (e.g., repression, denial, projection).
Carl Jung’s Analytical Psychology:
o Collective Unconscious: Shared, universal experiences and archetypes.
o Archetypes: Universal symbols and themes in the unconscious (e.g., the
Hero, the Shadow).
o Persona and Shadow: The outward mask we present versus the hidden,
often repressed aspects of ourselves.
3. Humanistic Theories
Carl Rogers’ Person-Centered Theory:
o Self-Concept: How we perceive ourselves.
o Ideal Self: The person we strive to become.
o Unconditional Positive Regard: Acceptance and support regardless of
what a person says or does.
Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:
o Basic Needs: Physiological, safety.
o Psychological Needs: Love/belonging, esteem.
o Self-Actualization: Realizing personal potential and self-fulfillment.
4. Behavioral and Social-Cognitive Theories
B.F. Skinner’s Operant Conditioning:
o Reinforcement and Punishment: How behavior is shaped by rewards
and consequences.
Albert Bandura’s Social-Cognitive Theory:
o Self-Efficacy: Belief in one’s own abilities to achieve goals.
o Observational Learning: Learning by watching others and modeling
their behavior.
o Reciprocal Determinism: The interaction between behavior, cognition,
and environment.
5. Cognitive Theories
George Kelly’s Personal Construct Theory:
o Personal Constructs: Individual ways of interpreting and understanding
the world.
Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Theory:
o Cognitive Distortions: Systematic errors in thinking that can affect
behavior and emotions.
6. Biological and Evolutionary Theories
Genetic Influences: The role of genetics in shaping personality traits.
Neuroscience: How brain structures and functions relate to personality.
7. Cultural and Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Cultural Influences: How culture affects personality development and
expression.
Individualism vs. Collectivism: The extent to which people prioritize personal
goals versus group goals.
8. Developmental Perspectives
Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages:
o Eight stages of development from infancy to adulthood, each
characterized by a central conflict or challenge.
9. Personality Assessment
Self-Report Questionnaires: Tools like the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic
Personality Inventory) and NEO-PI (NEO Personality Inventory).
Projective Tests: Tests like the Rorschach Inkblot Test and Thematic
Apperception Test (TAT) that reveal underlying thoughts and feelings.
