Personality –How do we develop our “self”?

How do we become what/who we are?

What is personality?• The combination of

characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character

John Locke (English philosopher - 1600s)• Tabula rasa, or blank slate. –We acquire our personality through our experiences.

Humans can be molded into whatever we want. –What is this process (of individuals absorbing culture)

called by psychologists today?

Socialization

Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929) American sociologist.

• Looking-glass self. –We develop an image of

ourselves based on how we imagine we appear to

others. – Ex: Parents who treat kids

as capable and competent will have such kids. – How do you see yourself?– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNy887IGMOk

Activity: Find someone in the class who you know well, and knows

you.• Make a list of 4 characteristics of their (and your)

personality– Find another person who you know sort of well

– make a list• Any differences? Does anything match?•What are some of the types/descriptions of

personality?

Sigmund Freud’s Theories on Personality:

• 3 aspects to one’s personality—–Id–Ego–Superego

Id:– pleasure principle. – “Me Want Cookie” part of the unconscious. – Part of personality that contains our drives,

needs, instincts, lust

Ego:

• reality principle. • Ex:

– Id is hungry, wants food. – Ego will keep it from eating it

all, or saving some for later.

• controls higher mental processes such as reasoning and problem-solving

• Balances the Id and Superego

Superego:

• moral principle. – Ex: Keeps you from

stealing a cookie. – Not concerned with

reality. • starving and no

money, superego will keep you from stealing, even if you will die.

– source of guilt (other name: conscience)

Not actually anything like this…

Freud’s thoughts on Personality• An individual’s

feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are the result of the interaction of the id, the superego, and the ego.– Conflict between

causes anxiety– http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=jUxXrqaCh2A

•Write a very short story of a time your id, ego, and superego battled it out. •Which won?

4 main factors in developing personality

1.heredity. • The transmission of

genetic characteristics from parent to child. – Physical characteristics– aptitude (ability to

learn)– biological drives

2. birth order

• The order in which siblings are born.– 1st: more achievement-oriented, responsible,

conservative in thinking, defenders of status quo. – Last: better in social relationships, affectionate,

friendly, risk-takers, social and intellectual rebels

3.Parental characteristics. – Age of parents, level of education, religious orientation,

economic status, cultural heritage, occupation

• 3. Cultural environment. – School, peers, media, teachers, parents, etc.

What do you think about these theories?

• How are they proven/disproven by your life and experiences?

• http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk/learning_modules/psychology/02.TU.04/illustrations/02.IL.21.gif

• http://th.interia.pl/11,b4236c3563777145/id_ego_superego_by_surreal32.jpg