PSY511 Final Term Updated Short Notes by VUBuddy

Lesson Impact of Environment on Individual (Personality Development and Individual Differences) Lesson Murray’s Theory of Personality Development and Interactionist Perspective Lesson Environmental changes and stress

Lesson Stress as cause and effect

Lesson Physiology of stress

Lesson General Adaptation Syndrome

Lesson Measuring stress

Lesson Measuring stress

Lesson Moderators of the stress response

Lesson Environmental and Cultural Variances

Lesson Attribution Theory

Lesson Judgmental Shortcuts and Culture

Lesson Population and Culture

Lesson Impact of Environment on Its Incumbents

Lesson Effects of Urbanization

Lesson Problems related to Crowding

Lesson Impact of Population concentration on humans

Lesson The Distinction between Density and Crowding

Lesson Environmental changes in Rural Areas

Lesson The Built Environment and Human Adjustment S.Malik 10 July 2024

Lecture #19

Impact of Environment on Individual (Personality Development and Individual Differences)

Personality:

Personality is the stable and distinctive ways of thinking, behaving, and feeling that characterize a person's adaptations to their environment (Maddi 1976, Mischel 1976). It is a dynamic and organized set of characteristics influencing thoughts, motivations, and behaviors. The term "personality" comes from the Latin word "persona," meaning mask. Traits like being outgoing, empathetic, or shy make up personality.

Personality Development:

Development of unique thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish each individual.

Two Questions for Personality Psychologists:

Q1. Individual Differences: Why do people react differently to the same situation?

Q2. Environmental Impact: What is the relationship between behavior and environment?

Personality Research – Theoretical Frameworks:

• Trait Theory
• Murray’s Theory of Personality
• Interactionist Perspective
• Metron’s Notion of Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Trait Theories of Personality:

Traits are enduring ways individuals differ from others. They are stable over time and consistent across situations.

1. Gordon Allport Trait Theory:

Cardinal traits: Dominate and shape behavior, like ambition. S.Malik 10 July 2024 Central traits: Present in all people to varying degrees, like honesty.

Secondary traits: Specific behaviors in certain contexts, like impati

2. Raymond Cattell:

Cattell reduced Allport’s traits and identified 16 source traits of personality (1978).

3. Hans Eysenck:

Eysenck proposed a three-dimension model: extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism, claiming differences are biologically rooted (1967).

Lesson #20

Murray’s Theory of Personality Development and Interactionist Perspective

Henry Murray and Psychogenic Needs

Henry Murray, an American psychologist, developed a theory of personality based on motives, presses, and needs. He defined a need as a "readiness to respond in a certain way under certain given circumstances" (1938). Murray's theory suggests that our personalities reflect behaviors driven by needs, some temporary and others deeply ingrained. These psychogenic needs operate mostly unconsciously but significantly shape our personality.

Murray's Types of Needs

Primary Needs

These are biological demands like the need for oxygen, food, and water.

Secondary Needs

These are psychological needs like the need for nurturing, independence, and achievement.

List of Psychogenic Needs

Murray identified 24 psychogenic needs, which everyone has to varying degrees. Some examples include: