Gordon Allport’s concept of the psychologically healthy person.

An extension of the sense of self – To him a psychologically healthy person, continually associates
themselves to take part in the events outside themselves. These individuals are not self centered, but
they have the capability to be involved in situations like problems, activities, happenings, that doesn’t
center around them. They develop unselfish interest in the events that happens around them and
becomes part of one’s being.

Warm relationships with others - To him a psychologically healthy person, treats other people with
respect and the feelings and visions of others are not so different on their own. They can give an
Intimate and Compassionate love to other individuals. And naturally as a human being they are
dependent on people’s ability to extend their sense of self. People who have self-awareness are mature
and can give love nonpossessively and unselfishly. They also have a healthy sexual attitude and doesn’t
abuse others for their own pleasure.

Emotional security or self-acceptance – To him a psychologically healthy person, accepts themselves for
who they are, and knows what the limit of their capability is. They don’t get too emotionally invested
when things don’t go the way they wanted it to be. They are aware that it happens, and it is part of
living in this world.

A realistic view of the world – To him a psychologically healthy person, are rather problem oriented as
they are aware things just doesn’t work like that as we don’t live in a fantasy world nor could bend the
reality to see fit their desired world.

Insight and humor – To him a psychologically healthy person, can make the others laugh without
harming other people but they rather make fun of their self’s weakness, insecurities, lack, etc. to give
the entertainment. Healthy individuals see themselves objectively. They can perceive the incongruities
and absurdities in life and have no need to pretend or to put on airs.

A unifying philosophy of life – To him a psychologically healthy person, knows it clearly what it the
purpose of their life, and serves it on this world to make it a better or ta have a self-fulfillment.
Allport’s concept of personal dispositions, and how personal dispositions differ from traits.

Cardinal Disposition: is an eminent characteristic or a ruling passion that it dominates their lives. an
individual that are having a cardinal disposition are so obvious you can easily tell as nearly action of this
person’s life revolves around it. Most people don’t have cardinal disposition but those who have are
commonly known for that single characteristic.

Central Disposition: personality is organized around central dispositions which are qualities or
characteristics which can describe a person briefly and clear. It includes the 5-10 most outstanding
characteristics around which person’s life focuses.

Secondary Disposition: traits that are less standing out, less generalized, less consistent for example
preference, attitudes. Everyone has many secondary dispositions that are central to personality, but it
happens regularly that it affects individual’s specific behavior.

The most important distinction between a personal disposition and a common trait is indicated by the
parenthetical phrase “peculiar to the individual.” Personal dispositions are individual; common traits are
shared by several people.

Theory of motivation through the concept of functional autonomy – people’s motivations are
independent to the childhood of an individual as they are incomplete. As it limited to an explanation of
reactive behavior, the mature person however is motivated to acquire new systems of motivation that
are functionally independent from their original motives.

Examples of functionally autonomous behavior

- Monetary incentive and hoarding behavior happen when the motive to make money to buy goods
becomes a drive, in which money become an end itself.

- A person originally might have a drink to make himself fall asleep faster but eventually become
addicted to it and become alcoholic

- Being obsessed to keeping on the latest trend.