Theories of Personality

-Rafael C. Salamat, MA, RPm

What is personality

“Persona”
- a cover, surface level, how we look in front of
other; this idea has evolved
Personality is

a pattern of relatively permanent traits and

unique characteristics that give both consistency
and individuality to a person’s behaviour
Traits – unique pattern of behaviour over time
Characteristics – qualities, attributes
(intelligence, physique, etc.)
“Theories” of personality

Theories hypothesis
Assumptions that allows us to create testable hypothesis

Example: Theory of “Personal Allocation”

- a person allocates his time with his friends, family,
school work and self (time is scarce)
Hypothesis: If a person spends a lot of time with his/her
friends and his/her SO, then he/she probably doesn’t
have time for his/her studies
Hypothesis – testable through the scientific
method
Taxonomy – classification of things

Example:
“There are two types of people in this world…..”
Theories as perspectives

One theory is one dimension

one theory is one color
One theory is one function

Person = v + w + x + y + z
The Cycle of a Scientific Theory
It should

Be falsifiable
Organize data
Guide action (help people; techniques)
Be consistent
Be parsimonious / simple
A Theory on Personality answers the
questions

How do people operate?

What leads people to become who they are?
What makes us so different [and the same] from
each other?

Ultimately, what makes us human (imperfect)?

The Concept of Humanity

Determinism versus Free Choice

The Concept of Humanity

Pessimism versus Optimism

The Concept of Humanity

Causality versus Teleology (past experiences)

The Concept of Humanity

Conscious versus Unconscious

The Concept of Humanity

Biological versus Social influences

The Concept of Humanity

Uniqueness versus Similarities