We are individuals with unique experiences, competencies,
and a one-time special combination of genetic material. Like the
Taoist philosophy asserting that there are patterns among changes,
fixity among chaos, and movement within stability, psychological
type proposes that it is the nature of humankind to live in a complex,
handmade lacework of social and interpersonal relationships.
Habits of mind—psychological type—act in combination
with other innate dispositions to influence how we perceive and
judge these relationships. Perceptions and judgments, in turn, promote
typical expressions in behavior that tend to be consistent and
enduring. The structure that supports these habits and typical
behaviors is psychological type.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Personality Dimensions
In his book Psychological Types, Swiss psychologist Carl G. Jung suggested that we can sort typical mental habits among opposite poles of three personality dimensions. The first and perhaps most
pervasive dimension pertains to the primary source and direction of a person’s energy. According to Jung’s theory, the primary direction of psychological energy is focused toward either the outer
world or the inner world. Jung used the terms extroversion and introversion to describe this distribution of energy. The second dimension, which he referred to as a mental or cognitive function, has to do with how we perceive information and what kind of information is initially attractive to us. The two poles of this dimension are sensing, a preference for sensory data that we recognize via our five senses, and intuition, a preference for relational, abstract data that we recognize via our intuition. Jung’s third dimension, also referred to as a mental or cognitive function, pertains to our typical patterns for making decisions or judgments about the information we have perceived. One pattern, thinking, involves decisions based
on interest in and attention to an object with cause-and-effect
analysis. The other pattern, feeling, involves equally rational decisions
based on personal values and relational impact.
pervasive dimension pertains to the primary source and direction of a person’s energy. According to Jung’s theory, the primary direction of psychological energy is focused toward either the outer
world or the inner world. Jung used the terms extroversion and introversion to describe this distribution of energy. The second dimension, which he referred to as a mental or cognitive function, has to do with how we perceive information and what kind of information is initially attractive to us. The two poles of this dimension are sensing, a preference for sensory data that we recognize via our five senses, and intuition, a preference for relational, abstract data that we recognize via our intuition. Jung’s third dimension, also referred to as a mental or cognitive function, pertains to our typical patterns for making decisions or judgments about the information we have perceived. One pattern, thinking, involves decisions based
on interest in and attention to an object with cause-and-effect
analysis. The other pattern, feeling, involves equally rational decisions
based on personal values and relational impact.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
DSM-IV
The major classification system of abnormality used in the Western world comes from the American Psychiatric Association (1994) – it is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (in its fourth iteration) (DSM-IV). There are various axis to the DSM-IV but Axis I and Axis II are the most important, referring to personality and clinical disorders.
Axis I disorders: disorders of infancy, childhood or adolescence; cognitive disorders such as anemia or dementia; substance related disorders; psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia; mood disorders; anxiety disorders; somatoform disorders (that is, disorders about the body); factitious disorders (in which symptoms are feigned or consciously produced); dissociative disorders (temporary alterations to consciousness); sexual disorders; eating disorders; sleep disorders;
impulse control disorders (such as compulsive stealing or lying); adjustment disorders.
Axis II disorders (types of personality dysfunction): anti-social; avoidant; borderline; histrionic; narcissistic; obsessive-compulsive; paranoid; schizoid; schizotypal.
Axis I disorders: disorders of infancy, childhood or adolescence; cognitive disorders such as anemia or dementia; substance related disorders; psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia; mood disorders; anxiety disorders; somatoform disorders (that is, disorders about the body); factitious disorders (in which symptoms are feigned or consciously produced); dissociative disorders (temporary alterations to consciousness); sexual disorders; eating disorders; sleep disorders;
impulse control disorders (such as compulsive stealing or lying); adjustment disorders.
Axis II disorders (types of personality dysfunction): anti-social; avoidant; borderline; histrionic; narcissistic; obsessive-compulsive; paranoid; schizoid; schizotypal.
What is Abnormal?
To describe someone as abnormal is circumstantial. What could be considered abnormal in one culture could be considered perfectly normal in another or even in the same culture a few years later. A way of defining abnormality is very pragmatic – it is whatever is labeled abnormal by the majority of people within a culture – a social definition. This means, for example, that killing someone is abnormal; but not in times of war. To take another example, to decide not to seek medical treatment for a serious condition is abnormal. However, it is not abnormal among, say,
Christian Scientists or members of similar religious groups. Even paranoia might be seen as normal among a group of spies. A further problem with terming something as abnormal and then classifying it in some way, for example, as schizophrenia, can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies. If someone is classified with a label that is within the abnormal range, then this creates expectations among those around them about how they will behave and leads not only to the greater likelihood of such behavior but also puts them at enormous disadvantages in life.Abnormality is also defined as whatever is maladaptive for the individual or for those around the individual. If you are so anxious that you are unable to leave the house, this is clearly maladaptive for you. If you are consistently inconsistent in the way that you deal with others, then this is clearly maladaptive for them.
Christian Scientists or members of similar religious groups. Even paranoia might be seen as normal among a group of spies. A further problem with terming something as abnormal and then classifying it in some way, for example, as schizophrenia, can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies. If someone is classified with a label that is within the abnormal range, then this creates expectations among those around them about how they will behave and leads not only to the greater likelihood of such behavior but also puts them at enormous disadvantages in life.Abnormality is also defined as whatever is maladaptive for the individual or for those around the individual. If you are so anxious that you are unable to leave the house, this is clearly maladaptive for you. If you are consistently inconsistent in the way that you deal with others, then this is clearly maladaptive for them.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Flow
What is it, then, that makes something more intrinsically motivating than something else? It has long been known that unpredictability, complexity and novelty make things seem more compelling. Again, however, what is a comfortable level of unpredictability, complexity and novelty for you might be altogether too much for me. We experience flow or flow time at those moments when we seem to be able to accomplish whatever we might doing with minimal effort.We are simply in fine control of what we are doing. Time passes without it being noticed. People report this state of flow to be very pleasurable. However, presumably it is only afterward that the pleasure comes, since during the experience we are completely absorbed. This simply means that the challenge of whatever we might be doing exactly equals our ability to do it. If the task is too easy, then the result is boredom, whereas if the task is too difficult, the result is uncertainty and anxiety. The intrinsically rewarding nature of curiosity and sensation-seeking can be unpacked a little further. A sense of competence is also important. The more we
perceive ourselves as being competent at whatever we are doing, then the more intrinsically rewarding it becomes. Similarly, if we believe that we are in charge of what is happening to us, in other words that we are self-determined, then again intrinsic motivation increases. This means that we believe that we can initiate our own behavior and choose our own goals.
perceive ourselves as being competent at whatever we are doing, then the more intrinsically rewarding it becomes. Similarly, if we believe that we are in charge of what is happening to us, in other words that we are self-determined, then again intrinsic motivation increases. This means that we believe that we can initiate our own behavior and choose our own goals.
Inner Life: The Self
I find the self one of the most fascinating subjects of Psychology. We all take it for granted. We use it in our language -myself, himself, herself even itself (which is and interesting concept can an "it" have a self?). What would you say if you were asked to define what your self was? Is the self what defines you, your ‘you-ness’? Popular opinion is that the self is divided into three main aspects. There is the self-concept which changes considerably early in life and settles later on. When it is settled, it used to evaluate the world, like a lens through which to view the world. Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself and social identity is how you present yourself you the world;The self-impressions we make on others. Also linked to self-esteem and social identity is self-efficacy, which is concerned to your sense of you own ability.
Self-concept
One of the first things babies learn is to distinguish itself from the rest of the world. For example, Children younger than the age of two usually cannot recognize themselves in photos. Sex and age are the first ways they learn to discern selves. After that they begin making comparisons with the talents and skills that others have, physically and intellectually. Finally, there develops an inner, private view of the world, the self and, indeed,of everything that comes into consciousness. After a sense of self or a self-concept is formed, so various selves begin to develop. We usually develop an ideal-self; The way we would like to be rather than the way we are. Most (though not all) of us develop as sense of ought-self; The way we think society would like us to be (it upholds the moral standards).
Self-esteem
The evaluation of the self by the self as to whether it is seen as good or bad, whether it is liked or disliked, is a matter of self-esteem. The three major areas in which people tend to evaluate the self are:appearance, general performance and social interactions. If your self-esteem is
low, then you are likely not to achieve well or not succeed, partly because your self-esteem is low. The amount of self-esteem a person has is largely dependent on that person's childhood and on how secure their first relationships were (with parents or caretaker).
Social Identity
Putting together self-concept and self-esteem leads to the development of social identity. Some things about our social identity are relatively constant. The obvious examples of this are gender, education, occupation and language, although even these can change. Also there are some enduring characteristics of behavior or personality. Put all of this together and this is what makes a person unique.
Self efficacy
We all have our own sense of our abilities. This sense gives us a belief of how efficient we are. Again,it is upbringing that is crucial to the degree of self-efficacy that an individual experiences. Upbringing that emphasizes success rather than failure is more likely to lead to a greater sense of self-efficacy.
Self-concept
One of the first things babies learn is to distinguish itself from the rest of the world. For example, Children younger than the age of two usually cannot recognize themselves in photos. Sex and age are the first ways they learn to discern selves. After that they begin making comparisons with the talents and skills that others have, physically and intellectually. Finally, there develops an inner, private view of the world, the self and, indeed,of everything that comes into consciousness. After a sense of self or a self-concept is formed, so various selves begin to develop. We usually develop an ideal-self; The way we would like to be rather than the way we are. Most (though not all) of us develop as sense of ought-self; The way we think society would like us to be (it upholds the moral standards).
Self-esteem
The evaluation of the self by the self as to whether it is seen as good or bad, whether it is liked or disliked, is a matter of self-esteem. The three major areas in which people tend to evaluate the self are:appearance, general performance and social interactions. If your self-esteem is
low, then you are likely not to achieve well or not succeed, partly because your self-esteem is low. The amount of self-esteem a person has is largely dependent on that person's childhood and on how secure their first relationships were (with parents or caretaker).
Social Identity
Putting together self-concept and self-esteem leads to the development of social identity. Some things about our social identity are relatively constant. The obvious examples of this are gender, education, occupation and language, although even these can change. Also there are some enduring characteristics of behavior or personality. Put all of this together and this is what makes a person unique.
Self efficacy
We all have our own sense of our abilities. This sense gives us a belief of how efficient we are. Again,it is upbringing that is crucial to the degree of self-efficacy that an individual experiences. Upbringing that emphasizes success rather than failure is more likely to lead to a greater sense of self-efficacy.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Something I've been doing for a while now is pick a mental illness and study it find out more about it, learn to spot it etc. Histrionic personality disorder is one of the less known mental illnesses because it's a mental illness that can be ignored. It can be easily labeled as " promiscuity" or "dramatic" etc. Of course mental illnesses are an extreme just because someone has some characteristics doesn't mean that they are Histrionic or even that they have tendencies. Abnormal behavior is always an extreme.
Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, including an excessive need for approval, egocentricity, self-indulgence, continuous longing for appreciation, feelings that are easily hurt, and persistent manipulative behavior to achieve their own needs.
Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, including an excessive need for approval, egocentricity, self-indulgence, continuous longing for appreciation, feelings that are easily hurt, and persistent manipulative behavior to achieve their own needs.
- P - provocative (or seductive) behavior
- R - relationships, considered more intimate than they are
- A - attention, must be at center of
- I - influenced easily
- S - speech (style) - wants to impress, lacks detail
- E - emotional lability, shallowness
- M - make-up - physical appearance used to draw attention to self
- E - exaggerated emotions - theatrical
Additional symptoms include:
- Exhibitionist behavior.
- Constant seeking of reassurance or approval.
- Excessive dramatics with exaggerated displays of emotions.
- Excessive sensitivity to criticism or disapproval.
- Inappropriately seductive appearance or behavior.
- Excessive concern with physical appearance.
- A need to be the center of attention.
- Low tolerance for frustration or delayed gratification.
- Rapidly shifting emotional states that may appear superficial or exaggerated to others.
- Tendency to believe that relationships are more intimate than they actually are.
- Making rash decisions.
Psychology.
Psychology has been my hobby and interest for quite a while; I think since I was 9. Most of the people closer to me know that I plan to make that my career. Anyway, I'm not going to use this blog to tell about what I have been doing and all the comings and goings of my life, instead, I will use this blog to post some short, fun (at least I think so) psychology facts. This blog is more for my personal enjoyment, considering the fact that most people will have no interest in anything I post. So Yeah... This is probably just for me.
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