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Comparison Between Theories of Personality

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
57 views8 pages

Comparison Between Theories of Personality

Uploaded by

Mubashra Malik
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Comparison between theories of personality


Made by: Eman Shoaib
Bs psychology
APSY-363 semester Ⅵ, year 3
Course: theories of personality
Instructor: Ma’am Shumaila Mansoor
E mail: [email protected]
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Comparison between theories of personality

Introduction to Personality

Personality is a complex and multifaceted concept that encompasses the unique characteristics,

traits, behaviors, and patterns of thought that define an individual. It shapes how people interact

with the world and respond to different situations. The study of personality seeks to understand

these individual differences and how they influence behavior and experiences.

Definition of Personality

Personality has been defined in various ways by different psychologists, reflecting its diverse

nature. Some common definitions include:

1. Gordon Allport (1937): Personality is "the dynamic organization within the individual

of those psychophysical systems that determine his characteristic behavior and thought."

2. Raymond Cattell: Personality is "that which permits a prediction of what a person will

do in a given situation."

3. Hans Eysenck: Personality is the more or less stable and enduring organization of a

person's character, temperament, intellect, and physique, which determines his unique

adjustment to the environment.

4. American Psychological Association (APA): Personality refers to the individual

differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.


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Comparison
Aspect Psychoanalytic Cognitive Dispositional and
Humanistic
Perspective Perspective Trait Theories and
Existentialist
Theories
Key Figures Sigmund Freud Jean Piaget, Gordon Allport, Carl Rogers,
Aaron Beck, RaymondCattell Abraham
Albert Ellis Maslow, Rollo
George Kelly May, Viktor
Frankl

Focus Unconscious Thought Stable personality Personal


mind, childhood processes, traits growth, free
experiences perception, will, meaning of
cognition life
Personality Early childhood, Shaped by Combination of Ongoing
Development psychosexual cognitive inherited traits and process, self-
stages processes and environment actualization,
interpretations existential
concerns
Key Concepts Self-
Schemas, actualization,
Unconscious, id,
cognitive Traits, Five-Factor unconditional
ego, superego,
distortions, Model, biological positive regard,
defense
information basis existential
mechanisms
processing freedom,
anxiety
View of Positive, with
Deterministic, Constructivist, Constructivist,
Human emphasis on
driven by shaped by shaped by
Nature free will and
unconscious cognitive cognitive
self-
desires processes processes
determination
Therapeutic Psychoanalysis: Cognitive- Not a specific Humanistic
Approach free association, behavioral therapeutic therapy:
dream analysis therapy: approach, but can empathy,
restructuring inform coping authenticity;
thoughts strategies Existential
therapy:
exploring
freedom,
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responsibility,
meaning
Role of the Central, Less emphasis, Not emphasized Not central,
Unconscious unconscious focus on focus on
drives and conscious conscious
conflicts thought awareness and
choice
Approach to Behavior is driven Behavior is a Behavior is Behavior is a
Behavior by unconscious result of influenced by result of
conflicts. cognitive stable traits. personal choices
processes. and the pursuit
of meaning.
Criticisms Lack of empirical Can be May oversimplify May be seen as
evidence, overly reductionist, human behavior, overly
deterministic may overlook neglect situational optimistic or
emotions. factors. abstract, lacks
empirical rigor.
View on Free Limited, behavior More emphasis Limited, traits are Central,
Will is shaped by on agency, but seen as stable and individuals have
unconscious within enduring. free will and are
forces. cognitive responsible for
frameworks. their choices.

Report
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In the diverse field of psychology, multiple perspectives offer unique insights into human

behavior and personality development. Each perspective—whether psychoanalytic, cognitive,

dispositional and trait-based, or humanistic and existentialist—provides a different lens through

which to understand the complexities of the human mind. This report looks at different

psychological perspectives by choosing and supporting specific theories. By carefully examining

the strengths and benefits of these theories, this report explains why they are supported within

their perspectives and how they help us better understand and address human behavior and

mental health.

The psychodynamic perspective focuses on how unconscious forces and early childhood

experiences shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It emphasizes the role of internal

conflicts and how they influence personality and psychological issues.

I support Alfred Adler theory from psychodynamic perspective. Alfred Adler’s theory is

valuable because it emphasizes the role of social interest and the drive for personal growth in

shaping personality. Adler’s focus on overcoming feelings of inferiority and striving for

superiority provides a positive framework for understanding motivation and behavior. His

insights into the impact of early childhood experiences and family dynamics are practical for

addressing issues in therapeutic settings. In Adler’s theory, birth order is important because it

influences personality development and behavior. For example, firstborns might develop a sense

of responsibility, while middle children might be more competitive or adaptable. Understanding

birth order helps explain how family dynamics shape individual characteristics and interactions.

I support Erik Erikson psychosocial development theory from psychodynamic

perspective. Erik Erikson’s theory provides a broad understanding of how personality develops

throughout a person’s life, making it more adaptable than Freud’s focus on just early childhood.
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Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development emphasize the role of social relationships

and culture in shaping personality, offering a more complete and inclusive view. The idea of

identity crises, especially during the teenage years is a very crucial aspect for understanding

human behavior. It helps in counseling, therapy etc.

The cognitive perspective examines how people process, store, and retrieve information

and how these mental processes influence behavior and emotions. It focuses on understanding

how thoughts, perceptions, and problem-solving abilities affect how we respond to the world.

This perspective includes theories related to cognitive distortions, memory, and decision-making,

and is associated with theorists like Aaron Beck and Albert Allis.

I support Albert Allis theory from cognitive perspective. Albert Ellis’s Rational Emotive

Behavior Therapy (REBT) is highly effective because it directly targets and changes irrational

beliefs that lead to emotional and behavioral problems. By teaching individuals that their distress

comes from their beliefs about events, not the events themselves, REBT empowers them to take

control of their thoughts and emotions. This practical, action-oriented approach has been proven

effective for a wide range of issues, including anxiety and depression, and is adaptable to

individual needs. The theory’s emphasis on challenging irrational beliefs and promoting rational

thinking makes it a powerful tool for creating lasting positive change, which is why it is strongly

supported within the cognitive perspective.

Dispositional theories focus on the idea that people have consistent personality traits or

dispositions that influence their behavior across different situations. They suggest that individual

differences in behavior can be explained by identifying and measuring these stable traits.

Dispositional theories often emphasize the relatively stable nature of personality traits and their

impact on how people act and interact with others.


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I support Raymond Cattell trait theory from trait and dispositional theories. Raymond

Cattell’s Trait Theory is highly valued because it uses scientific methods to study and understand

personality. Cattell used statistical techniques to find and measure different personality traits,

leading to the creation of the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF). This tool helps to

assess a wide range of personality traits in detail. Cattell’s approach is helpful because it looks at

both surface traits (what you can see in someone's behavior) and source traits (the fundamental

characteristics that shape behavior). Surface traits are observable behaviors that we see in daily

interactions, like being outgoing or shy. Source traits are deeper, fundamental characteristics that

influence these behaviors, such as underlying tendencies toward introversion or extroversion.

Understanding both helps provide a fuller picture of personality by linking visible actions to their

deeper psychological roots.

The humanistic perspective emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and the

inherent goodness of people. It focuses on the individual's capacity for self-improvement and

personal development. Key concepts include the importance of free will, self-esteem, and the

pursuit of meaning in life. This perspective is associated with theorists like Carl Rogers and

Abraham Maslow.

I support Carl roger client centered therapy from humanistic perspective. Carl Rogers’

Person-Centered Therapy is at the heart of the humanistic perspective, emphasizing the inherent

goodness and potential for growth within every individual. Rogers’ concepts of unconditional

positive regard, empathy, and genuineness are integral to creating a therapeutic environment

where clients can explore and resolve their issues without judgment. This approach respects the

client's autonomy and fosters self-awareness and self-acceptance, making it a powerful tool for

personal growth and emotional healing.


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This report explored key theories from various psychological perspectives, highlighting

the contributions and practical applications of each. From Erik Erikson’s comprehensive

approach to personality development across the lifespan to Aaron Beck’s and Albert Ellis’s

effective cognitive therapies, and from Raymond Cattell’s detailed trait assessment to Alfred

Adler’s focus on social interest and birth order, each theory offers unique insights into

understanding human behavior.

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