1. Chapter 2
Understanding Myself

2. Learning Objectives Positive psychology Personality
Freud’s Theory of Personality
Defense Mechanisms
“Big Five” personality traits
Intelligence
Types of Intelligence
Personal learning style and preferences
Personal positive view, self esteem, self efficacy

3. Everyone is unique…and that is not bad
Personality
Intelligence
Learning Styles
Preferences
It is important to understand your own traits and use them to be successful in life

4. Personality
Unique expression of our characteristics and traits –how we feel, think, behave.
Personality doesn’t change much
Different theories of personality development
Psychodynamic
Trait theory

5. Psychodynamic theory Sigmund Freud Mind functions as conscious(aware),
unconscious (unaware, but driving most personality) and preconscious (semi-aware)
Personality divided
Id—instinct driven for survival
Superego—personality driven by societal rules
Ego—part of personality that has to balance the drives of the Id and the Superego—and often accomplishes this through Defense Mechanisms

6. Defense Mechanisms Repression—eliminating ideas from consciousness
Regression—returning to an earlier stage of development
Rationalization—stating logical explanation in place of the real reason for something
Displacement—transferring impulses to a less threatening object or person
Projection—attributing one’s own unacceptable impulses to others
Reaction formation—engaging in behavior that is the opposite of what one is really feeling
Denial—refusing to see the true nature of a situation or behavior

7. Trait Theory
“Big Five Theory”—Five basic personality traits that are connected to GPA, achievement, alcohol consumption, personal values—cuts across cultural and racial lines
Neurotic
Extroverted
Open
Agreeable
Conscientious

8. Intelligence
The ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
Involves the ability to learn both formally and informally as well as to pose and solve problems

9. Multiple Intelligences—Howard Gardner There isn’t just one way to be smart
Verbal-linguistic: Word Smart
Mathematical-logical: Number Smart
Visual-spatial: Picture Smart
Musical-rhythmic: Sound Smart
Bodily-kinesthetic: Body Smart
Interpersonal: People Smart
Intrapersonal: Self Smart
Naturalistic: Nature Smart

10. Which one are you?
Take the Multiple Intelligences Survey

11. Successful Intelligence-Robert Sternberg
Successfully intelligent people maximize their strengths and compensate for weakness
Three aspects of successful intelligence
Analytical intelligence
Creative intelligence
Practical intelligence

12. Emotional Intelligence-Daniel Goleman
Ability to understand and monitor emotions of self and others
Allows an individual to cope well in times of stress
Allows an individual to deal with the people around him or her
Time Magazine: “the best predictor of success in life”

13. How Emotionally Intelligent are You?
Take the Emotional Intelligence Survey

14. Abilities of Emotional Intelligence
How we manage ourselves
Self awareness
Self regulation
Self motivation
How we manage relationships
Empathy
Managing relationships—persuasion, leadership, active listening, team building, forging bonds

15. Improving Emotional Intelligence
Pay attention to emotional changes and what causes them
Take the time to talk it out
Deal with one issue at a time
Accept responsibility for your emotions and your actions

16. Learning Styles Preference on how you Take in information
Organize information
Process information

17. Learning Styles What is your Learning Style?
Take the Learning Style Inventory

18. Learning Styles
Sensing-Information perceived by senses, facts, information presented step by step
Visual—Information presented in pictures, diagrams
Read/Write—Information in words
Active—Learn by trying things out or other practical applications
Sequential—Process information step by step
Intuitive—Information in the abstract, the “big picture,” the meaning of things
Auditory—Information presented orally—discussions, lectures
Kinesthetic—Information gained through hands-on activities
Reflective—Process information by internally thinking about it
Global—Process information by seeing the whole then knowing how the individual parts fit in

19. Personal Preferences
Myers Briggs Indicators: Behavior is based on preferences in how people perceive and interact with the world
What is your Personal Preference Type?
Take the Personal Preferences Survey

20. Favorite world
Extraversion(E) Focus on the outer world
Intraversion (I) Focus on your inner world
Information
Sensing (S) Focus on information you take in
Intuition (N) Focus on how you interpret and add meaning to information
Decisions
Thinking (T) Make decisions by looking at logic and consistency
Feeling (F) Make decisions by considering people and special circumstances
Structure
Judging (J) In dealing with situations, prefer to get things decided
Perceiving (P) In dealing with situations, prefer to stay open to new information and options.

21. Once you identify your 4 letters
Your unique combination tells you many facets of your personality
For detailed information go to:

22. Positive Psychology
Scientific study of strengths and virtues that enable persons and communities to thrive
Every person has a pre-determined set point for their overall outlook—optimistic vs gloomy, happy vs sad, etc.
Positive psychology studies how we can change set points and focus on our strengths rather than weaknesses.

23. Self-concept How we view ourselves, beliefs and attitudes Ideal self
Looking glass self
Self-image
Real self

24. Self –esteem Degree of how much we like ourselves
Related to health and well-being
High self-esteem correlated with responsibility, self-management, self-direction and innovation
High self esteem views criticism as constructive

25. To Increase Self-Esteem
Live consciously
Practice self-acceptance
Practice self-responsibility
Practice self-assertiveness
Practice living purposefully
Practice personal integrity
Concentrate on strengths and use them
Make positive changes in your lifestyle
Pay attention to “self-talk”

26. Self-efficacy Belief we can cope with life and win
Influences decisions we make, careers we choose, and interaction with others
May influence willingness to take advantage of opportunities, motivation, success in college
Behaviors that increase self-efficacy can be taught—problem solving
Can be influenced by previous success, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, physiological arousal

27. To increase self-efficacy
Make goals and reward their achievement
Set reasonable but challenging goals
Talk positively to yourself
Choose good role models
Be willing to work for your goals

28. Motivation What drives us to do what we do? Basic needs
Need for acceptance, recognition, and self-esteem
We will explore this more in a later chapter

29. Understanding Myself Project

30. Understanding Myself Project