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.