PERSONALITY THEORIESPERSONALITY THEORIES
Personality TheoriesPersonality Theories
BEHAVIORISTS (Skinner)BEHAVIORISTS (Skinner)PSYCHOANALYTIC (Freud, Neo-PSYCHOANALYTIC (Freud, Neo-
Freudians, Psychodynamic)Freudians, Psychodynamic)SOCIAL COGNITIVE (Bandura, SOCIAL COGNITIVE (Bandura,
Mischel, Seligman)Mischel, Seligman)HUMANISTIC (Rogers, Maslow)HUMANISTIC (Rogers, Maslow)BIOLOGICAL (Eysenck)BIOLOGICAL (Eysenck)TRIAT (Allport, Catrell, Sheldon)TRIAT (Allport, Catrell, Sheldon)
SkinnerSkinner
Argued for determinism--behavior is Argued for determinism--behavior is fully determined by environmental fully determined by environmental stimuli.stimuli.
Free will is but an illusion…”There is Free will is but an illusion…”There is no place in the scientific position for a no place in the scientific position for a self as a true originator or initiator of self as a true originator or initiator of action.”action.”
Collection of response tendencies that Collection of response tendencies that are tied to various stimulus situations.are tied to various stimulus situations.
Social Cognitive TheoriesSocial Cognitive Theories
Applies principles of learning, thinking Applies principles of learning, thinking and social influencesand social influences
Reciprocal Determinism (Bandura)…Reciprocal Determinism (Bandura)…idea that internal mental events, idea that internal mental events, external environmental events and external environmental events and overt behavior all influence one overt behavior all influence one another. Your environment determines another. Your environment determines your behavior & your behavior can your behavior & your behavior can change your environment.change your environment.
Behavior
EnvironmentBeliefs
Bandura continued…
*Observational Learning…Bobo doll experiment*Often considered the father of the cognitive movement
Walter MischelWalter Mischel
Colleague of Bandura at Stanford Colleague of Bandura at Stanford (now at Columbia)(now at Columbia)
Extent to which situational factors Extent to which situational factors govern behavior…controversy over govern behavior…controversy over the consistency of human behaviorthe consistency of human behavior
Emphasizes and highlights situational Emphasizes and highlights situational determinants of behaviordeterminants of behavior
Martin Seligman Martin Seligman Julian RotterJulian Rotter
Learned HelplessnessLearned HelplessnessOptimismOptimism Julian Rotter--Locus of control Julian Rotter--Locus of control
(internal and external)(internal and external)
Humanists Humanists (Phenomenological)(Phenomenological)
Humans are essentially goodHumans are essentially goodMotivated toward self-actualizationMotivated toward self-actualizationMaslow--Hierarchy of NeedsMaslow--Hierarchy of NeedsCarl Rogers…Unconditional Positive Carl Rogers…Unconditional Positive
Regard…SelfRegard…SelfHolism (considers whole person like Holism (considers whole person like
GestaltGestaltPhenomenological--everyone’s individual Phenomenological--everyone’s individual
frame of reference/point of viewframe of reference/point of view
BiologicalBiological
Hans Eysenck--personality structure Hans Eysenck--personality structure as a hierachy of traitsas a hierachy of traits
Three high order traits (Extraversion, Three high order traits (Extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism)neuroticism and psychoticism)
Trait TheoristsTrait Theorists
Gordon Allport-- Gordon Allport-- Personal traits (dispositions)--Personal traits (dispositions)--
concrete, easily concrete, easily recognized,consistencies in our recognized,consistencies in our behaviorbehavior
Common traits Common traits (culturally)--liberal/conservative(culturally)--liberal/conservative
Central traits (building blocks)--5 to 10Central traits (building blocks)--5 to 10
Allport (continued)Allport (continued)
Secondary traits(preferences, Secondary traits(preferences, attitudes)attitudes)
Cardinal traits (define life)…Mother Cardinal traits (define life)…Mother Theresa--religious serviceTheresa--religious service
Allport was so right about so many Allport was so right about so many things that his ideas have simply things that his ideas have simply passed on into the spirit of the times. passed on into the spirit of the times. Influenced many others.Influenced many others.
Humanist????Humanist????
Other Trait Theorists...Other Trait Theorists...
Sheldon--Body types (endomorph, Sheldon--Body types (endomorph, ectomorph and mesomorph)ectomorph and mesomorph)
Big Five Personality Factors Big Five Personality Factors (Emotional Stability, Extraversion, (Emotional Stability, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, Openness, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness)Conscientiousness)
Cattell--16 traitsCattell--16 traits
SheldonSheldon Ectomorph - EndodermEctomorph - Endoderm
This is known to develop into the digestive tact which consists of the intestine, This is known to develop into the digestive tact which consists of the intestine, stomach. Heart lungs etc. this somatotype is also the innermost layer of the embryo. stomach. Heart lungs etc. this somatotype is also the innermost layer of the embryo. The personality traits associated with the endoderm body type is tolerance, love, The personality traits associated with the endoderm body type is tolerance, love, comfort. In a word all the emotions that have to deal with a great deal of affection. comfort. In a word all the emotions that have to deal with a great deal of affection. The body type is considered to be fat and can easily be overweight. The love for The body type is considered to be fat and can easily be overweight. The love for people and the intimate relationship with food is also another trait of this personality. people and the intimate relationship with food is also another trait of this personality.
Mesomorph - MesodermMesomorph - MesodermThis is the middle layer which in turn develops into the muscle, blood vessels, bone This is the middle layer which in turn develops into the muscle, blood vessels, bone etc. In terms of body shape with this type of somatotype, Sheldon concluded that the etc. In terms of body shape with this type of somatotype, Sheldon concluded that the physic of this body is all about muscle. These are well defined muscle tones. In terms physic of this body is all about muscle. These are well defined muscle tones. In terms of personality this relates to very energetic, courageous, active, aggressive, etc. all of personality this relates to very energetic, courageous, active, aggressive, etc. all this can be seen as the personality of the Alpha male.this can be seen as the personality of the Alpha male.
Endomorph - EctodermEndomorph - EctodermThis is naturally the last layer. It has its association or develops are that it forms the This is naturally the last layer. It has its association or develops are that it forms the nervous system, skin and hair. These are people that are considered to be nervous system, skin and hair. These are people that are considered to be underweight because they are so slim. They are often the intelligent nerds and their underweight because they are so slim. They are often the intelligent nerds and their personality traits are that highly self-aware therefore they are also very sensitive personality traits are that highly self-aware therefore they are also very sensitive with an air of an artistic nature to them. In a way they are society’s introverts with an air of an artistic nature to them. In a way they are society’s introverts because of their shy and timid nature.because of their shy and timid nature.
Personality testsPersonality tests
Objective TestsObjective Tests MMPIMMPI Myers-BriggsMyers-Briggs Keirsey-BatesKeirsey-Bates www.allhealth.comwww.allhealth.com Http://keirsey.comHttp://keirsey.com
Projective testsProjective tests RorschachRorschach TAT (Murray)TAT (Murray)
General Personality Information
Issues in Personality TheoriesFree will or determinism
Master of our fate, or victim to destiny?
Nature or Nurture
Inherited or shaped by environment
Past, present or future
When is personality developed? What influences are there based on our past, present and future experiences?
Issues in Personality Theories
Uniqueness or universality
Are there patterns or are we all individually unique?
Equilibrium or growth?
Is our goal to reduce tension or are we motivated by need to reach our potential?
Optimism or Pessimism
Are humans basically good or evil?
Psychosexual
Stages of
Development
Stages of Development
• Freud believed that personality is formed during childhood.
• Our past childhood experiences are powerful influences on our present personalities
• The stages (Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency and Genital) represent patterns of gratifying our basic needs and satisfying our drive for physical pleasure
• Insufficient or excess gratification during any stage could cause a person to reflect the stage throughout life.
Stages
Oral (0-18 mo.) – Pleasure center is mouth – sucking, chewing, biting.
Anal (18 mo-36 mo)– focus on gaining control, bowel and bladder elimination & retention as form of control.
Phallic (3-6 yr) – Pleasure zone is in the genitals, focus on coping with incestuous sexual feelings
Latency (6-puberty) – Repressed sexual feelings
Genital (puberty on) – Maturation of sexual interests
Stage Issues
• During the Phallic Stage, The Oedipus complex occurs due to boys feelings of guilt for love of mother and fear of castration.
• During Oral Stage, deprivation or overindulgence may result in adult oral fixations or have dependence issues
• If Anal Stage is not resolved, may result in an anal expulsive (messy, unorganized) or anal retentive (controlled compulsively neat) personality
Elements
of
Personality
THE ICEBERG CORRELATION
Id -Pleasure Principle
Ego -Reality Principle
Super Ego- Moral Principle
Ego SuperEgo
Id
Elements of the Personality
ID
• Unconcious energy
• Basic drives
• Immediate gratification
• Pleasure Principle
• Instinctual/biological
• Libidinal Energy
Elements of the Personality
EGO• Partially conscious • Cope with real world• Gratifies ID in realistic ways • Reality Principle• Logical/Rational• Struggles to reconcile ID &
Superego
Elements of the Personality
SUPEREGO• Partially conscious• Ideal behavior• Moral Principle• Conscience
THE ICEBERG CORRELATION“the mind is like an iceburg - mostly hidden”“the mind is like an iceburg - mostly hidden”
Conscious Awarenesssmall part above surface
(Preconscious)
Unconsciousbelow the surface
(thoughts, feelings,wishes, memories)
Repressionbanishing unacceptablethoughts & passions to
unconsciousDreams & Slips
Expressions of the Unconscious
• The work we choose• The beliefs we hold• Daily habits• Troubling symptoms
• Jokes• Dreams• Slips of the tongue• Accidents
Psychoanalysis and
Freud
Freud’s Psychoanalytical• Discovered the unconscious• Used hypnosis and then free association to
unlock the unconscious• Three levels of the mind: unconscious,
preconscious, and conscious. • Freud believed we are most influenced by our
unconscious.• Personality results from our efforts to resolve
conflict between pleasure seeking impulses and internalized social restraints.
Psychoanalytic Personality Tests
Goal – to tap into the unconscious.
Projective Tests – user tells a story or gives a description based on an ambiguous stimulus.
Examples:• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) – share inner
feelings through stories made up about ambiguous scenes.
• Rorschach inkblot – descriptions of inkblots reflect inner feelings and conflicts.
Criticisms:• Reliability? – NO • Validity? – NO• No universal scoring system or training system
Neo - Freudians
Neo - Freudians
Accepted Freud’s basic ideas:• Id, ego, superego.• Importance of conscious.• Shaping of personality during childhood.• Dynamics of anxiety & defense mechanisms.Differences:• More emphasis on conscious.• Less emphasis on sexual motivations.• More emphasis on noble motives & social
interactions.
Neo - Freudians
Horney:
• Dependent child’s sense of helplessness creates anxiety
• Triggers desire for love & security
• Criticized Freud’s gender bias
Neo - Freudians
Alder:
• Childhood social conflicts influence personality development
• Inferiority complex
Jung:
• More emphasis on unconscious than other neo Freudians
• Unconscious contains more than just negative, but unrealized talents, gifts, creativities & passions.
• Believed in a Collective Unconscious – Part of unconscious shared by all. Archetypes, the building blocks of the soul which are inherited and shared by all, live here.
Neo - Freudians
Humanistic PerspectiveHumanistic Perspective
Positive ApproachPositive ApproachSense of Self = Sense of Self = center of center of
personalitypersonalityGoal = foster personal growthGoal = foster personal growthEmphasis = human potentialEmphasis = human potentialSelf concept shapes Self concept shapes
personalitypersonality
MaslowMaslowThe self actualized personThe self actualized personSelf aware & self acceptingSelf aware & self acceptingOpen & spontaneousOpen & spontaneousLoving & caringLoving & caringSecureSecureCreates deep relationshipsCreates deep relationships Is moved by personal peak Is moved by personal peak
experiencesexperiencesHas the courage to be unpopularHas the courage to be unpopular
Carl RogersCarl RogersA growth promoting climate:A growth promoting climate:Genuineness – opennessGenuineness – opennessAcceptance – unconditional positive Acceptance – unconditional positive
regardregardEmpathy – sharing our feelings and Empathy – sharing our feelings and
reflecting our reflecting our meaningsmeanings
Positive self concept occurs when Positive self concept occurs when
IDEAL self = ACTUAL selfIDEAL self = ACTUAL self
Self-EsteemSelf-Esteem
People with higher People with higher self-esteem typically:self-esteem typically:have < sleepless nightshave < sleepless nights< likely to conform under < likely to conform under
pressure or use drugspressure or use drugsmore persistent at difficult more persistent at difficult
taskstasks<shy & lonely<shy & lonely
Criticisms of Humanistic ApproachCriticisms of Humanistic Approach
Concepts vague and Concepts vague and subjectivesubjective
Individualism can lead to self Individualism can lead to self indulgence, selfishness, indulgence, selfishness, arrogance & pride.arrogance & pride.
Ignores our human capacity Ignores our human capacity for evil.for evil.
Social Cognitive Social Cognitive PerspectivePerspective
Applies principles of learning, Applies principles of learning, thinking & social influencethinking & social influence
Emphasizes importance of Emphasizes importance of external events and how we external events and how we interpret them.interpret them.
Emphasizes our sense of Emphasizes our sense of personal controlpersonal control
Reciprocal Reciprocal DeterminismDeterminism
Bandura = Bandura = process of interacting with process of interacting with our environmentour environment
1. Different people choose different 1. Different people choose different environmentsenvironments
2. Different people interpret & react 2. Different people interpret & react differently to situations & events.differently to situations & events.
3. Our personalities create situations 3. Our personalities create situations to which we react. Ex – self fulfilling to which we react. Ex – self fulfilling prophesy, expectations.prophesy, expectations.
Who controls your Who controls your world?world?
Do you see yourself as controlling of, Do you see yourself as controlling of, or controlled by your environment?or controlled by your environment?
External locus of control – perception External locus of control – perception that outside factors determine one’s that outside factors determine one’s fate.fate.
Internal locus of control – perception Internal locus of control – perception that one has more control over own that one has more control over own fate. Typically these people achieve fate. Typically these people achieve more in schools, act more more in schools, act more independently, are less depressed, in independently, are less depressed, in better health and cope with stress better health and cope with stress better.better.
Learned Learned HelplessnessHelplessness
Those who feel helpless & Those who feel helpless & oppressed often view control oppressed often view control as external. as external.
When traumatic events occur When traumatic events occur and people feel as if they and people feel as if they have no control, they often have no control, they often learn helplessness, which can learn helplessness, which can generalize to other situations.generalize to other situations.
CriticismCriticismToo much focus on Too much focus on situations, not enough focus situations, not enough focus on person’s inner traitson person’s inner traits
SCs argue that our traits & SCs argue that our traits & emotions shine through in emotions shine through in our reactions & responses.our reactions & responses.
Trait PerspectiveDescribes Personality based on:
Characteristic Behaviors Conscious Motives Describes, doesn’t explain Basically a classification system
Trait Tests
Myers – Briggs Test - Based on Jung’s personality types:
Extravert vs. Intravert Thinking vs. Feeling Judging vs. Perceiving Sensing vs. Intuitive
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Objective, normed personality inventory with
validity scales for faking & lying.
10 scales:
1. Hypochondriasis 6. Schizophrenia
2. Depression 7. Hypomania
3. Social Introversion 8. Hysteria
4. Psychopathic Deviancy 9. Paranoia
4. Masculinity/Femininity 10. Psychasthenia
Biology & Personality
Low brain arousal results in more extraversion
Overactive Autonomic Nervous System results in a more emotionally unstable personality
Inactive frontal lobe area results in a more extraverted personality
Genetics influence personality
Trait Perspective Criticism Person-situation controversy – Do traits
persist over time and across situations? Are behaviors consistent from one situation
to the next? Does trait perspective result in labeling &
pigeonholing?Trait Perspective actually attempts to predict AVERAGE behavior over many situations to determine personality.