General Personality Science

Schema Therapy

An integrative therapy combining CBT with attachment and psychodynamic approaches. Targets deep "schemas" (core beliefs) formed in childhood that drive lifelong personality patterns.

Schema Therapy (Young, 1990) targets early maladaptive schemas — unconscious core beliefs formed in childhood that persist into adulthood. Examples: "I'm unlovable" (Abandonment schema), "I'm not good enough" (Defectiveness schema).

There are 18 schemas in 5 domains corresponding to unmet childhood needs. Schema therapy is effective for personality disorders, chronic depression, and persistent relationship problems that don't respond to standard CBT.

In Big Five terms, schemas shape trait expression: an Abandonment schema amplifies Neuroticism; a Self-Sacrifice schema amplifies Agreeableness beyond healthy levels.

Related Terms

Introversion

A personality preference for lower stimulation environments. Introverts recharge through solitude and deep focus, prefer small groups over large parties, and think before speaking.

Personality Trait

A relatively stable pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguishes one person from another. Traits are continuous dimensions (not categories) measured on a spectrum.

Ambivert

A person who falls near the middle of the introversion-extraversion spectrum, displaying both introverted and extroverted behaviors depending on context. Most people (60-70%) are ambiverts.

Dark Triad

Three socially aversive personality traits: Narcissism (grandiosity, entitlement), Machiavellianism (manipulation, cynicism), and Psychopathy (callousness, impulsivity). Present to varying degrees in the general population.

Five Factor Model (FFM)

The scientific framework behind the Big Five personality test. Developed through decades of factor analysis, identifying five broad dimensions that account for most of the variance in human personality.

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