MEDICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND

COMMUNICATION
PHD, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
ARUSYAK GHARIBYAN
 Aspects of Personality
The personality main peculiarities are:
● temperament
● character
● aptitudes.
 Temperament

Temperament is an individual’s characteristic, including energy level, prevailing mood

and sensitivity to stimulation.
Hippocrates discussed variations in temperament as early as the 5th century B.C. His
hypothesis that there are four basic human temperaments that correspond to various
bodily characteristics choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic endured for
many years before modern theories became accepted.
Temperament is that aspect of our personalities that is genetically based, inborn,
there from birth or even before. That does not mean that a temperament theory
says we don't also have aspects of our personality that are learned, it's just that
Eysenck focused on "nature," and left "nurture" to other theorists.

Eysenck initially conceptualized personality as two, biologically-based categories

of temperament: The two dimensions or axes, extraversion-introversion and
emotional stability-instability, define four quadrants.
These are made up of:
Stable extraverts (sanguine qualities such as - outgoing, talkative, responsive,
easygoing, lively, carefree, leadership).
- Unstable extraverts (choleric qualities such as - touchy, restless, excitable,
changeable, impulsive, irresponsible).
- Stable introverts (phlegmatic qualities such as - calm, even-tempered, reliable,
controlled, peaceful, thoughtful, careful, passive).
- Unstable introverts (melancholic qualities such as - quiet, reserved, pessimistic,
sober, rigid, anxious, moody).
Character

The temperament is a biological basis for character.

The character’s qualities may be developed.

Character is most often used in reference to a set of basic

innate, developed, and acquired motivations that shape an
individual’s behavior.
Aptitude

An aptitude is something that you have the potential to be good at; it refers
to your innate ability to do well at tasks that require a specific type of skill.
Aptitude is not dependent on previous learning.
Aptitudes are natural talents, special abilities for doing, or learning to do, certain
kinds of things easily and quickly
Personality development

The concept of personality refers to the profile of stable beliefs, moods, and
behaviors that differentiate among children (and adults) who live in a particular
society.
There are five different hypotheses regarding the early origins of personality.
Personality development
● One assumes that the child’s inherited biology, usually called
a temperamental bias, is an important basis for the child’s later personality.
● A second hypothesis regarding personality development comes from Sigmund
Freud’s suggestion that variation in the sexual and aggressive aims of the id,
which is biological in nature, combined with family experience, leads to the
development of the ego and super-ego.

● A third set of hypotheses emphasizes direct social experiences with parents.

● A fourth source of ideas for personality centers on whether or not it is necessary
to posit a self that monitors, integrates, and initiates reaction.
● A final source of hypotheses regarding the origins of personality comes from
inferences based on direct observations of a child’s behavior.
Personality disorders

Personality disorders constitute a

separate diagnostic category (Axis
II) in the American Psychiatric
Association’s Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-IV). Unlike the
major mental disorders (Axis I),
which are characterized by periods
of illness and remission, personality
disorders are generally ongoing
(constant).
Personality disorders affect the way individuals think of themselves

and their interaction with others.

A further difference between personality
disorders and the major clinical syndromes
listed in Axis I of DSM-IV is that people
with personality disorders generally do not
perceive that there is anything wrong
with their behavior and are not
motivated to change it.
Personality disorders

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5),

which is the standard reference publication for recognized mental illnesses, organizes the 10 types of
personality disorders into three main clusters (categories). Each cluster has different symptoms in
common.
Cluster A personality disorders

Cluster A personality disorders involve unusual and eccentric thinking or behaviors.

These include:

● Paranoid personality disorder: The main feature of this condition is paranoia, which is a
relentless mistrust and suspicion of others without adequate reason for suspicion. People
with paranoid personality disorder often believe others are trying to demean, harm or
threaten them.
● Schizoid personality disorder: This condition is marked by a consistent pattern of detachment
from and general disinterest in interpersonal relationships. People with schizoid personality
disorder have a limited range of emotions when interacting with others.
● Schizotypal personality disorder: People with this condition display a consistent pattern of
intense discomfort with and limited need for close relationships. Relationships may be
hindered by their distorted views of reality, superstitions and unusual behaviors.
Cluster B personality disorders

Cluster B personality disorders involve dramatic and erratic behaviors. People with these types of
conditions display intense, unstable emotions and impulsive behaviors. Cluster B personality
disorders include:

● Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD): People with ASPD show a lack of respect
toward others and don’t follow socially accepted norms or rules. People with ASPD may
break the law or cause physical or emotional harm to others around them. They may
refuse to take responsibility for their behaviors and/or display disregard for the negative
consequences of their actions.
● Borderline personality disorder (BPD): This condition is marked by difficulty with
emotional regulation, resulting in low self-esteem, mood swings, impulsive behaviors
and subsequent relationship difficulties.
Cluster B personality disorders

● Histrionic personality disorder: This condition is marked by intense, unstable emotions and a
distorted self-image. For people with histrionic personality disorder, their self-esteem
depends on the approval of others and doesn’t come from a true feeling of self-worth. They
have an overwhelming desire to be noticed by others, and may display dramatic and/or
inappropriate behaviors to get attention.
● Narcissistic personality disorder: This condition involves a consistent pattern of perceived
superiority and grandiosity, an excessive need for praise and admiration and a lack of
empathy for others. These thoughts and behaviors often stem from low self-esteem and a
lack of self-confidence.
 Cluster C personality disorders

Cluster C personality disorders involve severe anxiety and fear. They include:
● Avoidant personality disorder: People with this condition have chronic feelings of inadequacy and are
highly sensitive to being negatively judged by others. Though they would like to interact with others,
they tend to avoid social interaction due to the intense fear of being rejected.

● Dependent personality disorder: This condition is marked by a constant and excessive need to be
cared for by someone else. It also involves submissiveness, a need for constant reassurance and the
inability to make decisions. People with dependent personality disorder often become very close to
another person and spend great effort trying to please that person. They tend to display passive and
clinging behavior and have a fear of separation.

● Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD): This condition is marked by a consistent and

extreme need for orderliness, perfectionism and control (with no room for flexibility) that ultimately
slows or interferes with completing a task. It can also interfere with relationships.
What causes personality disorders?

Personality disorders are among the least understood mental health conditions. Scientists are still trying to figure out the cause of
them.

So far, they believe the following factors may contribute to the development of personality disorders:

● Genetics:
● Brain changes:
● Childhood trauma:
● Verbal abuse:
● Cultural factors:
Some general signs of people with a personality disorder include:

● Their behavior is inconsistent, frustrating and confusing to loved ones and other people
they interact with.
● They may have issues understanding realistic and acceptable ways to treat others and
behave around them.
● They may be unaware of how their behaviors cause problems for themselves and/or
others.
● If they’re a parent, their parenting style may be detached, overemotional, abusive or
irresponsible. This can sometimes lead to physical, emotional or mental issues in their
children.
 The main goals of psychotherapy for treating personality disorders include:

● Reducing immediate distress, such as anxiety and depression.

● Helping the person understand that their problems are internal and not caused by other people
or situations.
● Decreasing unhealthy and socially undesirable behavior.
● Modifying the personality traits that are causing difficulties.
There are several different types of psychotherapy, and each personality disorder requires different
types.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9636-personality-disorders-overview