Last Minute Lecture

Personality — Psychodynamic, Humanistic, and Social-Cognitive Perspectives Explained | Psychology Chapter 14 Summary This detailed summary of Chapter 14 from Principles of Psychology (13th Edition) by David G. Myers and C. Nathan DeWall explores personality — the characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting that define individuals. The chapter covers major personality theories including psychodynamic, humanistic, trait, and social-cognitive perspectives. Watch the full YouTube podcast summary for a comprehensive explanation of personality theories and assessments. Psychodynamic Theories Rooted in Freud’s psychoanalysis, psychodynamic theories emphasize the unconscious mind, childhood experiences, and defense mechanisms. Freud proposed a three-part personality: Id: Unconscious pleasure-seeking part demanding immediate gratification. Ego: Rational part balancing id and superego. Superego: Moral part representing internalized ideals and values. Freu...

Humanistic Psychology, Positive Psychology, and the Science of Happiness — Summary of Chapter 12 Chapter 12 of The Personality Puzzle by David C. Funder brings together humanistic psychology, existentialism, and positive psychology to explore how awareness, meaning, and growth shape the human experience. This chapter highlights how psychology can move beyond dysfunction to understand what makes life worth living. The Foundations of Humanistic Psychology Humanistic psychology emerged in response to behaviorism and psychoanalysis, focusing instead on human uniqueness, personal meaning, and the capacity for growth. It rejects the idea that human behavior should be studied using the same methods as natural sciences, emphasizing phenomenology —the study of an individual’s subjective experience. Existentialism and the Search for Meaning Influenced by existential philosophy, humanistic psychology explores how individuals face the challenges of freedom, mortality, and meaninglessn...