Yenrose Discussion 1: What Is The Psychological Definition C

Yenrose Discussion1 What Is The Psychological Definition Of Personali

YenRose Discussion 1. What is the psychological definition of personality? Discuss how nature (biology) and nurture (culture, religion, upbringing, etc.) have contributed to the uniqueness and development of your personality. 2. Freudian methods, such as free association, dream analysis, and projective tests, have been widely used in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy for many years. To what extent are these methods still relevant in modern-day psychology to study personality? Please discuss the Freudian methods that you prefer and provide a personal example. Additionally, which modern methods might complement them (e.g., mindfulness, CBT)?

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Personality, within psychological frameworks, is defined as the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that uniquely distinguish an individual across different situations and over time (Costa & McCrae, 1998). It encapsulates a person's consistent traits, temperament, and the way they perceive and respond to the world. The development of personality is a dynamic interplay between biological and environmental influences — often classified as nature and nurture. Biological factors include genetic inheritance, neurobiological mechanisms, and temperament, which form the foundation of personality traits (Plomin & Deary, 2015). Nurture encompasses cultural norms, religious beliefs, family upbringing, socioeconomic status, life experiences, and social environments, all contributing to shaping, reinforcing, or modifying innate tendencies (Bouchard, 2004). Both domains are integral; for example, genetics may predispose an individual toward certain temperaments, while childhood environment influences emotional regulation and social behaviors, culminating in the complex personality profile unique to each person.

Historically, Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic techniques such as free association, dream analysis, and projective tests played an influential role in exploring personality structures and unconscious motives (Freud, 1923). These methods aimed to access repressed conflicts and hidden aspects of personality, which unconscious processes often influence behaviors, including criminal acts. Despite the advent of contemporary psychology, some of Freud's methods retain relevance, especially in clinical settings emphasizing depth psychology. For example, free association facilitates understanding subconscious thoughts and emotional conflicts, which can be pertinent when assessing personality pathology (Shedler, 2010). Dream analysis can reveal underlying fears or desires influencing behaviors, while projective tests like the Rorschach inkblot test aim to uncover unconscious aspects of personality (Bornstein, 2011).

Personally, I favor projective tests for their ability to access implicit attitudes and subconscious aspects of personality, which might not be easily revealed through self-report measures. For instance, in a clinical context, a client might interpret ambiguous inkblots differently based on their unconscious conflicts, providing valuable insights into their personality structure. However, these methods have limitations, including questionability of reliability and validity, prompting the integration of modern techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and neuropsychological assessments. These contemporary methods complement traditional approaches by providing structured, measurable, and evidence-based insights into personality, especially in understanding behavioral patterns underlying criminal tendencies (Neumann & Hare, 2008). For example, CBT's focus on changing maladaptive thought patterns can be instrumental in modifying behaviors linked to personality disorders or criminal conduct.

References

• Bouchard, T. J. (2004). Genetic Influence on Human Psychological Traits. Harvard University Press.
• Bornstein, R. F. (2011). The Rorschach Inkblot Method: Advances and Challenges. Psychology Press.
• Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1998). The NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R). Psychological Assessment Resources.
• Freud, S. (1923). The Ego and the Id. SE, 19: 12-66.
• Neumann, C. S., & Hare, R. D. (2008). Psychopathic and Criminal Behavior. In C. R. Hollin (Ed.), Handbook of Offender Assessment and Treatment (pp. 130–157). Wiley.
• Plomin, R., & Deary, I. J. (2015). Genetics and Intelligence Differences: Five Special Factors. Molecular Psychiatry, 20(1), 98–108.
• Shedler, J. (2010). The Efficacy of Psychoanalytic Treatment. American Psychologist, 65(2), 98–109.