Final examination in General Psychology

Final examination in General PsychologyRosette Anne Moreno

1. TYPES OF INTELLIGENCE

1.1 Naturalist Intelligence (Nature Smart)Designates the human ability to discriminate among living things (plants, animals) as well as sensitivity to other features of the natural world (clouds, rock configurations). This ability was clearly of value in our evolutionary past as hunters, gatherers, and farmers; it continues to be central in such roles as botanist or chef. It is also speculated that much of our consumer society exploits the naturalist intelligences, which can be mobilized in the discrimination among cars, sneakers, kinds of makeup, and the like.

1.2. Existential IntelligenceSensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here.

http://skyview.vansd.org/lschmidt/Projects/The%20Nine%20Types%20of%20Intelligence.htm

1.3. Cultural Intelligence ( cultural quotient or CQ)

- is a term used in business, education, government and academic research. Cultural intelligence can be understood as the capability to relate and work effectively across cultures. Originally, the term cultural intelligence and the abbreviation "CQ" was developed by the research done by Soon Ang and Linn Van Dyne as a researched-based way of measuring and predicting intercultural performance.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_intelligence

1.4. Spiritual intelligence

-is a term used by some philosophers, psychologists, and developmental theorists to indicate spiritual parallels with IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient).

Danah Zohar defined 12 principles underlying spiritual intelligence:

Self-awareness: Knowing what I believe in and value, and what deeply motivates me. Spontaneity: Living in and being responsive to the moment. Being vision- and value-led: Acting from principles and deep beliefs, and living accordingly. Holism: Seeing larger patterns, relationships, and connections; having a sense of belonging. Compassion: Having the quality of "feeling-with" and deep empathy. Celebration of diversity: Valuing other people for their differences, not despite them. Field independence: Standing against the crowd and having one's own convictions. Humility: Having the sense of being a player in a larger drama, of one's true place in the world. Tendency to ask fundamental "Why?" questions: Needing to understand things and get to the bottom of them. Ability to reframe: Standing back from a situation or problem and seeing the bigger picture or wider context. Positive use of adversity: Learning and growing from mistakes, setbacks, and suffering. Sense of vocation: Feeling called upon to serve, to give something back.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_intelligence

2. WILLIAM HERBERT SHELDONS BODY AND TEMPERAMENT TYPES William Sheldon (1898-1977) was an American psychologist who devoted his life to observing the variety of human bodies and temperaments.

Basic Components of Body Physique Endomorphy (7-1-1) is centered on the abdomen, and the whole digestive system. It is physically quite 'round', and is typified as the 'barrel of fun' person. They tend to have: Wide hips and narrow shoulders, which makes them rather pear-shaped. Quite a lot of fat spread across the body, including upper arms and thighs. They have quite slim ankles and wrists, which only serves to accentuate the fatter other parts.Mesomorphy (1-7-1) is focused on the muscles and the circulatory system.It is somewhere between the round endomorph and the thin ectomorph. Physically, they have the more 'desirable' body, and have: Large head, broad shoulders and narrow waist (wedge-shaped) Muscular body, with strong forearms and thighs Very little body fatEctomorphy (1-1-7) is related to the brain and the nervous system.It is a form of opposite of the Endomorph. Physically, they tend to have: Narrow shoulders and hips A thin and narrow face, with a high forehead A thin and narrow chest and abdomen Thin legs and arms Very little body fatBody Type Recognition Endomorphic Mesomorph - abdomen is not quite as massive shoulders are bulkier & creates rectangular shape- feeling of solidness Ectomorphic Mesomorph - less heavily built, but still muscular Mesomorph & Ectomorph is equal in measure- thin & muscular Ectomorphic Endomorph -spread out & round without being muscular Sheldons Temperament Types Endotoniais seen in the love of relaxation, comfort, food and people.Psychologically, they are:-Sociable -Even-tempered -Fun-loving-Good humored -Love of food-With a love of comfort -Tolerant -and has a need for affection-Relaxed Mesotoniais centered on assertiveness and a love of action. They are generally considered as 'well-proportioned'. Psychologically, they are:-Adventurous-Courageous-Indifferent to what others think or want-Assertive/bold-Zest for physical activity-Competitive-With a desire for power/dominance-And a love of risk/chance Ectotoniafocuses on privacy, restraint and a highly developed self-awareness. Even though they may eat as much as the endomorph, they never seem to put on weight (much to the endomorph's chagrin). Psychologically they are:-Self-conscious-Artistic -Private -Intense -Introverted-Inhibited -Thoughtful -Socially anxious-Emotionally restrained www.innexplorations.com/catpsy/t1c4.htm

3. DEFENSE MECHANISM

The psychiatrist George Eman Vaillant introduced a four-level classification of defence mechanisms:

Level I - pathological defences (psychotic denial, delusional projection)Level II - immature defences (fantasy, projection, passive aggression, acting out)Level III - neurotic defences (intellectualization, reaction formation, dissociation, displacement, repression)Level IV - mature defences (humour, sublimation, suppression, altruism, anticipation)

Level 1: PathologicalThe mechanisms on this level, when predominating, almost always are severely pathological. These six defences, in conjunction, permit one to effectively rearrange external experiences to eliminate the need to cope with reality. The pathological users of these mechanisms frequently appear irrational or insane to others. These are the "psychotic" defences, common in overt psychosis. However, they are normally found in dreams and throughout childhood as well. They include:

Delusional projection: Delusions about external reality, usually of a persecutory nature. Conversion: The expression of an intrapsychic conflict as a physical symptom; some examples include blindness, deafness, paralysis, or numbness. This phenomena is sometimes called hysteria.[23] Denial: Refusal to accept external reality because it is too threatening; arguing against an anxiety-provoking stimulus by stating it doesn't exist; resolution of emotional conflict and reduction of anxiety by refusing to perceive or consciously acknowledge the more unpleasant aspects of external reality. Distortion: A gross reshaping of external reality to meet internal needs. Splitting: A primitive defence. Negative and positive impulses are split off and unintegrated, frequently projected onto someone else. The defended individual segregates experiences into all-good and all-bad categories, with no room for ambiguity and ambivalence. When "splitting" is combined with "projecting", the negative qualities that you unconsciously perceive yourself as possessing, you consciously attribute to another.[24] Extreme projection: The blatant denial of a moral or psychological deficiency, which is perceived as a deficiency in another individual or group. Superiority complex: A psychological defence mechanism in which a person's feelings of superiority counter or conceal his or her feelings of inferiority. The inflated feelings of being superior, above the ordinary, and special, along with arrogance lead to difficulties at work and in relationships. Inferiority complex: A behaviour that is displayed through a lack of self-worth, an increase of doubt and uncertainty, and feeling of not measuring up to society's standards. Despotic control is a compensation for tremendous feelings of inferiority, unworthiness, self-rejection and often feeling unlovable.

Level 2: Immature

These mechanisms are often present in adults. These mechanisms lessen distress and anxiety produced by threatening people or by an uncomfortable reality. Excessive use of such defences is seen as socially undesirable, in that they are immature, difficult to deal with and seriously out of touch with reality. These are the so-called "immature" defences and overuse almost always leads to serious problems in a person's ability to cope effectively. These defences are often seen in major depression and personality disorders. They include:

Acting out: Direct expression of an unconscious wish or impulse in action, without conscious awareness of the emotion that drives that expressive behavior. Fantasy: Tendency to retreat into fantasy in order to resolve inner and outer conflicts. Wishful thinking: Making decisions according to what might be pleasing to imagine instead of by appealing to evidence, rationality, or reality Idealization: Tending to perceive another individual as having more positive qualities than he or she may actually have.[25] Passive aggression: Aggression towards others expressed indirectly or passively, often through procrastination. Projection: A primitive form of paranoia. Projection reduces anxiety by allowing the expression of the undesirable impulses or desires without becoming consciously aware of them; attributing one's own unacknowledged unacceptable or unwanted thoughts and emotions to another; includes severe prejudice and jealousy, hypervigilance to external danger, and "injustice collecting", all with the aim of shifting one's unacceptable thoughts, feelings and impulses onto someone else, such that those same thoughts, feelings, beliefs and motivations are perceived as being possessed by the other. Projective identification: The object of projection invokes in that person precisely the thoughts, feelings or behaviours projected. Somatization: The transformation of negative feelings towards others into negative feelings toward oneself, pain, illness, and anxiety.

Level 3: Neurotic

These mechanisms are considered neurotic, but fairly common in adults. Such defences have short-term advantages in coping, but can often cause long-term problems in relationships, work and in enjoying life when used as one's primary style of coping with the world.[22] They include:

Displacement: defence mechanism that shifts sexual or aggressive impulses to a more acceptable or less threatening target; redirecting emotion to a safer outlet; separation of emotion from its real object and redirection of the intense emotion toward someone or something that is less offensive or threatening in order to avoid dealing directly with what is frightening or threatening. For example, a mother may yell at her child because she is angry with her husband. Dissociation: Temporary drastic modification of one's personal identity or character to avoid emotional distress; separation or postponement of a feeling that normally would accompany a situation or thought. Hypochondriasis: An excessive preoccupation or worry about having a serious illness. Intellectualization: A form of isolation; concentrating on the intellectual components of a situation so as to distance oneself from the associated anxiety-provoking emotions; separation of emotion from ideas; thinking about wishes in formal, affectively bland terms and not acting on them; avoiding unacceptable emotions by focusing on the intellectual aspects (isolation, rationalization, ritual, undoing, compensation, and magical thinking). Isolation: Separation of feelings from ideas and events, for example, describing a murder with graphic details with no emotional response. Rationalization (making excuses): Convincing oneself that no wrong has been done and that all is or was all right through faulty and false reasoning. An indicator of this defence mechanism can be seen socially as the formulation of convenient excuses. Reaction formation: Converting unconscious wishes or impulses that are perceived to be dangerous or unacceptable into their opposites; behaviour that is completely the opposite of what one really wants or feels; taking the opposite belief because the true belief causes anxiety. Regression: Temporary reversion of the ego to an earlier stage of development rather than handling unacceptable impulses in a more adult way, for example, using whining as a method of communicating despite already having acquired the ability to speak with appropriate grammar.[26] Repression: The process of attempting to repel desires towards pleasurable instincts, caused by a threat of suffering if the desire is satisfied; the desire is moved to the unconscious in the attempt to prevent it from entering consciousness;[27] seemingly unexplainable naivety, memory lapse or lack of awareness of one's own situation and condition; the emotion is conscious, but the idea behind it is absent.[citation needed] Undoing: A person tries to 'undo' an unhealthy, destructive or otherwise threatening thought by acting out the reverse of the unacceptable. Involves symbolically nullifying an unacceptable or guilt provoking thought, idea, or feeling by confession or atonement. Withdrawal: Withdrawal is a more severe form of defence. It entails removing oneself from events, stimuli, and interactions under the threat of being reminded of painful thoughts and feelings. Upward and downward social comparisons: A defensive tendency that is used as a means of self-evaluation. Individuals will look to another individual or comparison group who are considered to be worse off in order to dissociate themselves from perceived similarities and to make themselves feel better about themselves or their personal situation.

Level 4: MatureThese are commonly found among emotionally healthy adults and are considered mature, even though many have their origins in an immature stage of development. They have been adapted through the years in order to optimise success in human society and relationships. The use of these defences enhances pleasure and feelings of control. These defences help to integrate conflicting emotions and thoughts, whilst still remaining effective. Those who use these mechanisms are usually considered virtuous. Mature defences include:

Moderation: The process of eliminating or lessening extremes and staying within reasonable limits. It necessitates self-restraint which is imposed by oneself on one's own feelings, desires etc. Patience: The level of endurance under difficult circumstances (delay, provocation, criticism, attack etc.) one can take before negativity. Patience is a recognized virtue in every religion. Courage: The mental ability and willingness to confront conflicts, fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, despair, obstacles, vicissitudes or intimidation. Physical courage often extends lives, while moral courage preserves the ideals of justice and fairness. Humility: A mechanism by which a person, considering their own defects, has a humble self-opinion. Humility is intelligent self-respect which keeps one from thinking too highly or too meanly of oneself. Mindfulness: Adopting a particular orientation toward ones experiences in the present moment, an orientation that is characterised by curiosity, openness, and acceptance. Acceptance: A person's assent to the reality of a situation, recognizing a process or condition (often a negative or uncomfortable situation) without attempting to change it, protest, or exit. Religions and psychological treatments often suggest the path of acceptance when a situation is both disliked and unchangeable, or when change may be possible only at great cost or risk. Gratitude: A feeling of thankfulness or appreciation involving appreciation of a wide range of people and events. Gratitude is likely to bring higher levels of happiness, and lower levels of depression and stress. Throughout history, gratitude has been given a central position in religious and philosophical theories. Altruism: Constructive service to others that brings pleasure and personal satisfaction. Tolerance: The practice of deliberately allowing or permitting a thing of which one disapproves. Mercy: Compassionate behavior on the part of those in power. Forgiveness: Cessation of resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offence, disagreement, or mistake, or ceasing to demand retribution or restitution. Anticipation: Realistic planning for future discomfort. Humour: Overt expression of ideas and feelings (especially those that are unpleasant to focus on or too terrible to talk about directly) that gives pleasure to others. The thoughts retain a portion of their innate distress, but they are "skirted around" by witticism, for example self-deprecation. Identification: The unconscious modelling of one's self upon another person's character and behaviour. Introjection: Identifying with some idea or object so deeply that it becomes a part of that person. Sublimation: Transformation of negative emotions or instincts into positive actions, behaviours, or emotions, for example, playing a heavy contact sport such as football or rugby can transform aggression into a game.[26] Thought suppression: The conscious process of pushing thoughts into the preconscious; the conscious decision to delay paying attention to an emotion or need in order to cope with the present reality; making it possible to later access uncomfortable or distressing emotions whilst accepting them. Emotional self-regulation: The ability to respond to the ongoing demands of experience with the range of emotions in a manner that is socially tolerable. Emotional self-regulation refers to the processes people use to modify the type, intensity, duration, or expression of various emotions. Emotional self-sufficiency: Not being dependent on the validation (approval or disapproval) of others.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_mechanisms

4. BIOGRAPHY OF GEORGE EMAN VAILLANT

George Eman Vaillant, M.D. (/vlnt/; born 1934) is an American psychiatrist and Professor at Harvard Medical School and Director of Research for the Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital. Vaillant has spent his research career charting adult development and the recovery process of schizophrenia, heroin addiction, alcoholism, and personality disorder. Through 2003, he spent 30 years as Director of the Study of Adult Development at the Harvard University Health Service. The study has prospectively charted the lives of 724 men and women for over 60 years.

George Eman Vaillant's father, George Clapp Vaillant, committed suicide in 1945. George Eman was traumatized by his father's death and thus had deep emotional reasons for becoming a psychiatrist.[citation needed] He graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, did his psychiatric residency at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center and completed his psychoanalytic training at the Boston Psychoanalytic Institute. He has been a Fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, is a Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists and has been an invited speaker and consultant for seminars and workshops throughout the world.

A major focus of his work in the past has been to develop ways of studying defense mechanisms empirically; more recently, he has been interested in successful aging and human happiness. Vaillant has been married three times, returning to his second, Australian, wife after his third wife left him. In 2008, he took up a supervisory role for psychiatric trainees at St. Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. In June 2009 Joshua Wolf Shenk published an article in the Atlantic Monthly entitled "What Makes Us Happy?" which focused on Vaillant's work in the Grant Study, a study of 268 men over many decades.

He joined the board of trustees of Alcoholics Anonymous as a Class A (non-alcoholic) trustee in 1998.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/georgeemanvaillantWhy Vaillants hierarchical view of defenses was considered by the American Psychiatric Association?

George Eman Vaillant took Freuds initial work with defense mechanisms and shaped it into a new way of viewing how we cope with anxiety. He expanded Freuds ideas. Freud simply viewed ego defense mechanisms as various ways that people manage the anxiety that the ego encounters. Vaillant took Freuds defense mechanisms and added some of his own and organized them into four levels, or hierarchies, ranging from the unhealthiest responses to ego anxiety (level 1) to the healthiest (level 4). Vaillant believes that the use of lower lever defense mechanisms reflect significant emotional impairment in the person using them. This impairment decreases with each level to the point that people using level 4 defense mechanisms can actually see admirable outcomes.

Source: http://education-portal.com/

Explanation/Interpretation/Conclusion:

Vailants hierarchical view of defenses was considered by the American Psychiatric Association because he further study Freuds preliminary work with defense mechanisms that helped new psychiatrists and psychologists explore and understand more about how do really people handle and cope up with the changes in their selves and environment.Vaillant tried to add these four levels of defense mechanisms to Freuds which ranged from the unhealthiest to the healthiest. His work is credible and true because his primary source for his research was Sigmund Freud which made the American Psychiatric Association consider his theory. Vaillants work ended up in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) published by the American Psychiatric Association (1994) which also include a faltering diagnostic alignment for defense mechanisms. This was principally based on Vaillants hierarchical view of defenses, but has some alterations.