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Theories of Personality
Theories of Personality
There are certain defined theories of personality development which we need to look at.
These are various in numbers. Since Personality development has been a major topic of
interest for some of the most prominent thinkers in psychology, these have been
thoroughly defined and explained.
Many prominent theorists developed stage theories to describe various steps and stages
that occur on the path of personality development. Described below are some of the
theories that focus on various aspects of personality development, including cognitive,
social and moral development.
Freud’s Structural Model of Personality- Freud’s concept of the ego and superego has
gained prominence in popular culture. Despite of lack of support and considerable
skepticism from many researchers, he is one of the most researched one.
Sigmund Freud was a great man, his greatness is till date, cited in his brilliant work and
theories. Freud came up with the three categorically different structures to a person’s
personality. Freud believed that personality has three structures: the id, the ego, and
the superego.
The id is a tier or part of the personality set up; it is a structure that has no contact to
reality- a structure that is unconscious totally. The ego is a grown state or a state that
is furthered from an id state to form the structure of ego, which is in contact with
reality and which uses reasoning to make decisions. Now, having stated both the states
of id and ego, there emerges a state or structure called the superego, which is the
moral attribute to a person’s personality, the ability to feel or analyze whether
something is right or wrong. This is called the state of superego wherein lies the
conscientious personality, gauging right from wrong. These above said analyzing
statements were those of the Great Sigmund Freud who stated in correctness the
different layers, tiers or substances that form the whole (in this case, the whole being a
personality, which has structures to it).
Whilst Freudian principles are based on the theory or rather, a belief by Freud that
personalities were like icebergs; there are many definitive views on personality and
personality development. While Freud may have personality ideas that were listed as
above, and thereby personality development would be done to and on every structural
tiers of personality (the three tiers of personality), personality development can be
encompassing and can be specifically enhancing as well.
Personality development can be compared to a lock-system of the house, without it, the
structure is incomplete. It can also be compared with analogies like an envelope sealed
or in other words, like sealing an envelope too. The refinement and the training that
personality development brings with it, gives a light, subtle feeling of completion. One
may not give it too much thought at times, but think about it, an un-sealed envelope
that is posted, can very well, get misplaced or read or lost. Similarly, without
personality development in today’s’ world, one may feel less competent than his
contemporaries who may have had sessions in personality development, one is able to
feel more confident and more aware with the surging attributes of personality
development.