In this paper we will examine how each theory views personality development, characteristics, and traits. We will look at how each theorist views interpersonal relationships as well as how these theories can and are used in clinical or workplace settings today. Personality Analysis: Allport and Maslow There are many theories associate with the development of personality such as Humanistic, Existential and Individual theories. Each theory attempts to address the components of what makes an individual’s personality the way it is and attempts to use this theory to understand or better predict behavior. In this paper we will examine the ideas of personality development through the views of Abraham Maslow and Gordon Allport.
To understand more clearly the differences between the humanistic/existential and dispositional theories, the writer will compare and contrast them. In addition, the role of personality in affecting situational behavior will be described and the personality characteristics attributed to each theory will be examined. Finally, an explanation will be provided focusing on the interpersonal relational aspects that are related to each of the theories. The Role of Personality in Affecting Situational Behavior One’s personality can influence different kinds of behaviors and clearly plays a certain role in situational behavior. It has been always assumed that there is only one of his or her kind and one will most likely act differently from another, even if the situation is very similar.
Within our everyday life we constantly come across people that we have never met before, and when meeting these people it is their character, the way they behave and feel which interests us. This is known as a person’s personality, personality is made up of the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that make a person unique (Psychology.about, 2012). The way people are interested in the way others behave is similar to that of personality psychologists when trying to understand how and why an individual has a certain type of personality. There are a number of theories which explain personality within their own school of thought. One of these is trait theories.
Personality Assessment and Theories Cynthia Harding BEH/225 September 29, 2012 Serena Watts-Kumar, Instructor Personality Assessment and Theories “Personality refers to an individual’s unique pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that persists over time and across situations” (Morris & Maisto, 2010, p.359). There are four theories that explain different approaches to personality assessment. The four approaches are psychodynamic, humanistic, trait, and social learning. Personality is measured by psychologist with an assessment using four basic tools: personal interview, the objective tests, projective test, and direct observation of behavior. The different theories use different methods for assessing the personality.
Five factor trait theory, and 3. Temperament model of personality can be adapted to account for variations in the personal, societal, and cultural factors discussed in this paper. How does the gene-environment interaction influence personality? A person’s genetic make-up in combination with a person’s environment form an individuals personality by interacting with each other. Abnormal or radical behavior could therefore “be explained by hereditary factors in combination with poor environmental conditions” (Oreland, Leppert, Hallman, Lindström, Nilsson, K., Sjöberg, R., …Öhrvik, J., 2006).
Psychoanalytic Personality Assessment TaWonnia Jackson PSY250 September 6, 2012 Loretta Harris Psychoanalytic Personality Assessment The following statements discussed will analyze the components of the psychoanalytic approach to personality. The theories of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Alfred Adler are compared and contrasted by research found. There will be characteristics of two theories along with descriptions of the stages to Freud’s theory, and characteristics along with Freudian's defense mechanisms. Each theorist’s had their own unique way of developing their very own theory. Sigmund Freud's theory is the psychoanalytic theory unique to a certain point and which it has developed formal models describing the ways in which individuals process information on different levels (Bornstein, 2010).
What are some psychological perspectives that explain human behavior? Some psychological perspectives that researchers have found are behavioral perspective, humanistic perspective, psychodynamic perspective, cognitive perspective and neuroscience perspective. Behavioral psychology is a perspective that focuses on learned behaviors. Behaviorism differed from many other perspectives because instead of emphasizing internal state, it focused solely on observable behaviors. Humanistic perspective suggests that all individuals naturally strive to grow and develop, and to control their lives and behavior.
Psychological Perspectives of Skinner, Watson, and Tolman Lori Miller PSY-310 April 2, 2012 Giselle Bayard Psychological Perspectives of Skinner, Watson, and Tolman Psychological perspectives have varied between theorists over years. Perspectives of B.F. Skinner, John B. Watson, and Edward Tolman, although having different views on behavioral psychology, have made a permanent impact in today’s modern-day psychology. These theorists each believe that behaviorism is an important part of how an individual learns and is influenced. However, these theorists also believe in different types of behaviorism which results in the way human’s behave and respond. Cherry (2009), “Behaviorism is a school of thought in psychology based on the assumption that learning occurs through interactions with the environment” (para 1).
This paper seeks to define the effect humanistic and existential theories have on personality as well as interpersonal relationships. Humanistic and Existential Theories Affect on Personality Humanistic theories of personality believe that all humans are good. This theory also stresses the importance to achieve an individual’s full potential. The focus of the humanistic theory is on the self, which translates into "YOU", and "your" perception of "your" experiences. Abraham Maslow’s introduced the hierarchy of needs that emphasizes the importance of self-actualization.
Mischel (1968, as cited in McAdams, 2009) argued against explanations of human behavior based on internal personality traits such as extraversion, anxiety, needs, and motives. His theory is that the approach of personality psychology should be the study of an individual’s response to situational and environmental factors. This theory was later criticized by personality psychologists because it became the study of psychology disorders instead of personality psychology. A third phase in the brief history of modern personality psychology began around 1970 and continues to the present day. Personality psychologists are concerned with the development of human beings from birth to death.