Allport Perseverative Functional Autonomy

Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine characteristic behavior and thought (Allport, 1961, pg. 28). Allport's definition of personality simply means that each individuals personality is organized and direct in its own way and everyone has their own set of thoughts and behaviors which is what separates each human from one another. The main concepts that are going to be discussed in this paper consist of Allport’s Personality Traits, Perseverative/Propriate Functional Autonomy and Facial Expressions. Allport came up with many examinations and discussions that led him to conclude his theories which are also going to be mentioned in this paper. Gordon’s theories had made history

The fully functioning adult, according to Allport, has changed which directed them away from their childhood memories and experiences. “Forces that motivated us early in life become autonomous, or independent of their original circumstances. Similarly, when we mature we become independent of our parents. Although we remain related to them, we are no longer functionally dependent on them and they should no longer control or guide our life (Shultz & Shultz, 2013, pg. 198). Allport came up with Perseverative Functional Autonomy which relates to an individuals “low-leveled routine behaviors.” Addictions and repetitive actions are both examples of Perseverative Autonomies in which an individual may become inclined to regardless of the external reward. In relation, Allport came up with the Propriate Functional Autonomy which is the level of our self-image, values and lifestyles. This term strictly comes from within each individual’s ego or the self. This term is used when individuals are learning what motivates them and what they want to pursue and feel most passionate about. Learning a new skill, becoming educated in a new sport, trying out a new hobbies are just three of the thousands of proprium that an individual can

For instance, Allport had a rough childhood where he felt unwanted and isolated when hanging with his four eldest brothers. In comparison to that statement, Allport concluded, “I suffered agonies on the playground. I ever really got on with my brothers. They didn’t like me and they weren't kind and I couldn't possibly compete with them. they were all a little more masculine in type then I was” (Shultz & Shultz, 2013, pg. 194). Because Allport was the one who was constantly left out and betrayed, it seems that as he got older, he could have related to his concept of “Healthy Adults unaffected by Childhood Experiences.” As he grew older, he may have wanted to succeed so much because in his early years, the children around him paid no mind to him. Although this is a indirect way of relating back to Allport’s childhood, in a way, this situation still may have strayed from his earlier experiences. Later in life, Allport rekindled with his brother Floyd who was at this time a Ph. D in Psychology. Both brothers were in the same educational field and were both known as two of the best. Allport did admit that there had been some inferiority feelings towards his brother and he did admit to feeling a sense of identity crisis as well. Allport concluded this situation with his own concept of the Functional Autonomy Motive that was previously mentioned in this