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Comparison of theories of personality
Comparison of theories of personality
Abraham Maslow's theory of need hierarchy
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In this section of the assignment I have chosen to compare a trait theory and a humanistic.
An examination of the Humanistic and Trait theories of personality exposes that while there are various differences concerning the two theories, there are very few similarities
Humanistic Theory is based on the ability for individuals to be able to separately diverse with our own prospective on life. Maslow’s theory speaks to the potential and to positive outcome of human motivation and believes that every individual can and will strives to be more.
The hierarchy of needs is frequently represented in the shape of a pyramid and is broken up into 5 separate stages with the main, most important levels of necessities at the bottom and the need for self-actualization
at the top. Although the problem with Maslow’s hierarchy is that none of these needs opening with basic survival are possible without social connection and association. Trait theory is based on an individual’s observation, and components of their personality traits such as acceptance to new experiences, skill development, friendliness, aggression, etc. This can be defined as typical forms of behaviour, thought, and emotion. Hans Eysenck's theory is built mainly on physiology and genetics. He theorized personality as three biologically-based independent measurements of characteristics, E, N and P. These three different sections are used to measure an individual’s personality using a number of different traits. Eysenck theory views the human nature as a natural subject implicating that he believes individuals can either be positive and negative. Every individual shows specific reactions to both internal and external stimuli. These specific responses will differ however at some point you will start to see indications of traits in how the individual responds. While projective tests such as The Rorschach Inkblot Test have some benefits such as an examiner is controlling the test they also have a quantity of flaws and restrictions. For example, one issue is the lack of regulation and consistence of the test. Recording projective tests is also vastly subjective, so analyses of reactions can fluctuate radically from one examiner to the next. The participant’s responses could also be influenced by the assessor's approach and personality or even the examination location and environment. Lack of controlled groups and the failure to keep variables consistent also create a major issue in the validity of test results
Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2013). Theories of personality (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage/Wadsworth.
Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2013). Theories of personality (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage/Wadsworth.
Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2009). Theories of Personality (7th ed.). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill.
One of the major theoretical areas in the study of the personality is the trait perspective. It suggests that individual personalities are comprised of broad dispositions, and it identifies and measures the characteristics that they are made up of (Cherry). The trait perspective helps to identify a person’s personality type (Myers). This perspective focuses on the difference between individual personalities and the traits that shape them.
The roots of trait theory are based mostly on scientific methods and using those methods. Auguste Comte (1798-1857), a very influential sociologist, believed that progress in society could be measured by using scientific method and means. He believed societies could be grouped by the way they perceived the world. Later, his writing would become known as positivism. Positivism elements were knowledge acquired by guessing or belief was not true knowledge. Observation was the only way to verify what knowledge was and was not. Data was not considered valid without obtaining it through the scientific method process. This method seems to be a much more calculated approach. Trait theory was influenced by many other influential people, and their ideas.
Feist, J., Feist, G. J., & Roberts, T. A. (2009). Theories of personality. New York:
Personality is patterns of thinking, behavior and emotional responses that make up individuality over time. Psychologist attempt to understand how personality develops and its impact on how we behave. Several theories attempt to explain personality, using different approaches. The social-cognitive and humanistic approaches are two of many theories that attempt to explain personality. This essay will identify the main concepts of social-cognitive and humanistic approach, identify perspective differences and discuss approach limitations.
One way in which the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) of personality differs from the Trait Theory (FFT), is that the SCT represents a bottom-up approach (Cervone, 1997; Shadel, Niaura and Abrams, 2000; Zelli and Dodge, 1999). In other
Schultz, D.P. & Schultz, S.E. (2009). Theories of Personality, Ninth Edition. US: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Lastly, the findings of trait theory and its components described within the paper will be summarised. Major contributors to the trait theory of personality include three prominent psychologists. Boeree (2006) states that American born psychologist Gordon Allport has been described as the founding father of personality trait theory. Allport’s distinguished career included holding the presidency of the American Psychological Association (APA) and receiving the Gold Medal Award and a Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the APA (Carducci, 2009, p. 260). After meeting with Sigmund Freud in 1922 and studying his interpretation of personality, Allport developed the opinion that psychoanalysis was too in-depth while behaviourism was far too shallow in the field of personality psychology.
Hergehhahn, B. R. and Olson, M. H. (1999). An Introduction to Theories of Personality. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Sollod, R., Wilson J., & Monte C. (2009.). Beneath the mask: An introduction to theories of personality (8th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Two proponents most noted for humanistic approaches to personality are Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. Both the Person-Centered Theory (Rogers) and the Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow) considered that humans ' true nature was good and that each has the potential for growth. A comparison of the two approaches demonstrates a compatibility between theory and practice. Furthermore, each approach focuses on individual choices and rejects the theory that biology will determine human potential.
The humanistic perspective on personality deals exclusively with human behavior. Humanistic psychologists believe that human nature includes a natural drive towards personal growth, that humans have the freedom to choose what they do regardless of environmental factors, and humans are mostly conscious beings and are not controlled by unconscious needs and conflicts. They also believe that a person's subjective view of the world is more important than objective reality. Two of the humanistic theorists that have made an impact of humanism are Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
When we are born, over time we grow up and develop a personality. For each person, our personalities differentiate between one another which presents a wide variety of individuals. According to psychology, there are different factors that make up who we are. Today, I will be talking about the four major theories of personality (Psychodynamic, five-factor model, humanistic, and social-cognitive).