PERSONALITY

Personality Theories
1. Trait theory
a. Gordon Allport
b. Raymond Catell
c. Hans Eysenck

2. Psychodynamic approach
a. Sigmund Freud: Psychoanalytic
b. Carl Jung: Analytical Psychology
c. Alfred Adler: Individual Psychology
d. Karen Horney: Feminine Psychology
e. Erich Fromm
f. Harry Sullivan
g. Erikson

3. Humanistic –Existential Theory

a. Abraham Maslow: Hierarchy of Needs
b. Carl Rogers: Person-centered
c. Rollo May

4. Behavioral Theory:
a. B.F. Skinner
b. Ivan Pavlov
c. Bandura and Social Learning Theory
d. Rotter and Mischell
e. George KJelly
 I.TRAIT THEORY
A trait is a neuropsychic structure having the capacity to render many stimuli functionally equivalent to
consistent form of adaptive and expressive behavior.

It uses two methods of research:

1.IDIOGRAPHIC – defines traits by studying individuals in depth and focuses on the distinctive qualities
of their personalities (Gordon Allport)
2.Nomothetic- studies groups of people in the attempt to identify personality traits that tend to appear
in clusters (Raymond Catell)

MODULE 1.1 What is personality?

What is the role of conscious motivation in
personality theory?
What are the characteristics of a healthy
“Personality is not person?
only something, it does
something”

Gordon Allport – There are considered patterns of traits that makes individuals unique. This was
conducted through long term case studies, resulting in a detailed studies of individuals in depth. He used
his idiographic research method to conclude certain traits of people that are considered building blocks
of personality. Allport’s definition of personality is that we are both product and process; people have
some organized structure while at the same time they possess the capability of change. Allport believes
that personality is both physical and psychological; it includes overt behavior and covert thoughts.

According to Allport, traits are loose tendencies, It can be enacted depending on the different stimulus
of the environment. It is also inferred from behavior and not directly observed which means that the
range of a trait is determined by the equivalence of stimuli that arouse it and by the equivalence of the
response that it provokes.

Traits can be also called dispositions, while habits are more general in the sense that they are used more
often. Attitude may be called pre-disposition , because it initiates or guides a behavior , it is the product
of genetic factors and learning.

Simply put , traits are the reason behind personality. They are not concrete and cannot be touched, but
can be observed. They are the basis of why we behave the way we do.

Example:
1. pinatawad mo siya kasi mabait ka. – your trait of being kind is the reason why you forgive that
person. That trait became the reason behind the execution of your attitude.
With this, Gordon Allport believes that trait is greater than the attitude. Trait should control your
attitude and not the other way around.

CONSCIOUS MOTIVATION
Allport emphasized that personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of those
psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustments to his environment”

THE DEVELOPING SELF

1-3 Years sense of bodily self

sense of continuing self identity
self-esteem or pride
4-6 Years extension of self
self image
Adolescence propriate strivings – intentions for long range-purposes and goals

Together, this seven stage makes up the seven aspects of selfhood called “proprium”. This stage is
different from psychosexual because Allport believes that developmental tasks should be focused on
positive structure of strivings rather than needs demanded by the unconscious.

THE HEALTHY PERSON

Before Maslow came up with his concept of self-actualization , Gordon Allport has already hypothesized
on the attributes of the mature personality.

Proactive behavior – a person does not only react to external stimuli , but they are capable of
consciously acting on their environment in new and innovative ways, this causes their environment to
react to them, making proactive behavior undirected at reducing tension but at establishing new ones.
Matured persons are motivated by the conscious process, that is why they are more likely, flexible and
autonomous than unhealthy people who are dominated by unconscious motives that springs from
experiences during childhood.

Healthy people may have experienced a trauma-free childhood, but their later years may have sufferings
and conflicts. Even though age is not a requisite for maturity, healthy persons become more mature as
they age.

Allport described three different types of traits:

1.Cardinal – traits that are so much part of who the person is , it is the trait that defines a person.
2.Central – Major Characteristics of our personality. Most people can be characterized by usually five to
ten central traits
3.Secondary – less generalized and far less enduring traits that affects our behavior in specific
circumstances.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY

Putting traits , dispositions , attitudes , habits , values , intentions and motives results to Personality. To
fully understand , let us study the important changes on personality development.

THE INFANT
New born or neonate. It has not yet develop a distinctive attributes because of limited transactions
within the environment. A neonate does not have a personality yet, fulfillment of these must wait upon
growth and maturation. Though it may be able to respond with highly specific reflexes, but the response
does not in a way help in the formation of personality because of limited stimulation. The child focuses
on pleasure-pain feelings. Allport maintained that the first year is the least important year for
personality, except for when serious injury to health occur.

ADULTHOOD
We now have a mature individual whose major determinants are a set of organized and congruent
traits. The mature personality must possess an extension of the self, which should have already started
at age 4-6 years.