...Introduction to Personality PSY/405 Introduction to Personality The purpose of this paper is to define and examine the aspects of the personality types that encompass an individual. The word personality evolves from the Latin word persona. The definition that is used in modern times does not mention the possibility of the false appearance of an individual but tends to focus on that of observable behavior. This behavior is described through the traits and characteristics that each human being displays. Traits can be used as an accountability feature for any consistent behavior displayed by a person over time. The characteristics have the ability to explain those attributes that are shown only by that certain person. These can include intelligence and temperament. Theoretical Approaches to Personality Study The process of studying the personality side of psychology weighs heavy on the basic human nature idea that a person will find what makes them tick through their viewpoints, perspectives and the ideas that person possesses. There are six dualistic dimensions that human nature deals within psychology. They are determinism versus free choice, pessimism versus optimism, casualty versus teleology, conscious versus unconscious determinants...
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...Introduction to Personality Paper University of Phoenix Psy 405 Introduction to Personality Paper Personality is unique to each individual. Every individual has their own traits and characteristics that make up who they are. Personality comes from the Latin persona, which refers to a theatrical mask worn by Roman actors in Greek dramas (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 3). These Romans wore the mask or persona to project a false appearance. Of course, personality psychologists do not accept this definition. When psychologists talk about personality they refer to something different than role play. There is no definite definition for personality, but different theorists say that personality is a pattern of permanent traits and exclusive characteristics that give stability and individuality to a person’s behavior. Traits provide individual differences in behavior, consistency of behavior over time, and stability of behavior beyond situations. A person has unique qualities called characteristics that involve intelligence, temperament, and physical appearance (Feist & Feist, 2009). Altogether, the definition of personality implies, “…a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a person’s behavior” (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 4). An ample explanation of the psychological understanding of personality is coming in the development of the theoretical approaches in the study of personality. There...
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...Introduction to Personality Sarah Lopez PSY 405 May 21, 2012 Karen Lundstrom Introduction to Personality Personality seems like such a straight forward concept. Any one asked could most likely tell you what they perceive personality to be. Simply stated, personality is what makes a person individual. It is the behaviors and attitudes put forth that one can define a person by in regards to what kind of person they are. What is it exactly that defines personality and how is that definition determined? Many different viewpoints and theories exist but all concede that personality is unique to each individual and no two are ever the same. Defining personality The term personality is thought to have derived from the Latin word persona which was a theatrical mask worn by Roman actors during Greek dramas (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 3). This simple definition of the word does not hold much weight in comparison to the detail of definition personality has in the field of psychology. Personality is an intricate pattern of traits and characteristics that make up one’s overall behavior (Feist & Feist, 2009). Traits are more inherent, consistent and stable qualities as opposed to characteristics which can grow or change with time and influence such as one’s intelligence and temperament (Feist & Feist, 2009). Personality is the unique and individual way one thinks, feels, acts and deals with life. Theoretical approaches to study personality There are various...
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...Introduction to Personality Lori McClaskey December 2, 2013 PSY/405 University of Phoenix Stephen Brown In this paper I will examine personality theory, I will define personality and take a look at the theoretical approaches used to study personality. I will look at the factors of development in one’s personality and provide some input from my own life experiences. Defining Personality I was thinking of ways to define personality in my own words, so I thought I would compare what our test says against what common people thought it meant. I work in a 90 bed facility and I asked several nurses and other co-workers how they would define personality. Some of the nurses and co-workers started naming characteristics such as cheerful, nice, bubbly, moody, etc. I started thinking if the characteristics of personality it what people remember about a person then what causes people to have such characteristics? Defining personality, theorist have not come up with one agreeable definition but have many theories of what personality is. They agree that personality is a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a person’s behavior. People have traits this is a consistent pattern of behavior over a period time. Traits can be individual or a group can also possess traits that are the same of similar (Feist & Feist, 2009). As I mentioned earlier when talking to my co-workers people have characteristics...
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...Introduction to Personality Paper The etymology of the word “personality” points to the Latin persona, which denotes the mask that an actor wears during theatrical performances of Roman and Greek drama (Feist & Feist, 2006). These actors wear their persona as a means to superimpose a false appearance onto their plot character. However, the modern-day definition of personality has little to do with false appearances and everything to do with observable behavior, as describe through traits and characteristics. Traits account for behavioral consistencies in an individual over time; and characteristics explain the unique attributes of an individual, such as temperament, intelligence, and physique. Collectively, the definition of personality entails, “…a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a person’s behavior” (Feist & Feist, 2006, p. 4). The full breadth and scope of the psychological understanding of personality is forthcoming in the course of an examination of the theoretical approaches to the study of personality and an assessment of the factors that influence the development of individual traits and characteristics. Theoretical Approaches to the Study of Personality Quantifiable Human Nature The study of personality in the field of psychology is largely predicated on the assumption of a basic human nature, which finds its articulation through the perspectives, viewpoints, and world-views of individual...
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...Introduction to Personality What is it that makes us who we are? We are all of the same species, similar in so many ways, yet different in our thought patterns, behaviors, and personality. Are we born with genetic predeterminations that make our personality what it is, or do environmental and social interactions help to shape and develop us from infancy through adulthood? There is not one determining factor that shapes personality; rather it is genetic, environmental, social, and cultural. There has been and continues to be much research on the psychology of personality. There are many theories that point to the cause of personality development. Personality is classified as a documented set of traits and characteristics an individual has that influence such things as behavior, emotions, cognitive processes, and self-motivation. Personality can also interlace with a person’s thought patterns, feelings, morals, values, and attitude towards certain things. However, there is not one sole definition of personality in the field of psychology. The psychological study of personality has a long history that includes a wide variety of different theories, methods of origin, continued development, and analysis. The psychological study of human personality is based on the principle that all human beings are in some ways similar, yet possess many differences as well. Personality based theories aim to understand what it is that makes us; similar as well as different. Over...
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...Introduction to Personality PSY/405 December20, 2010 Abstract There are all types of intelligence that influences many different areas of an individual’s personality in so many different ways. The fact that intelligence can sometimes be considered as a part of personality. These issues of personality have been debated over time. Some of the main points are to bear in mind for that both intelligence and personality is a prominent of individuals many differences. Therefore, personality cannot be so easily defined in individuals. Therefore, personality can be referred as our many attempts to capture and to summarize all individual essences. Personality therefore is known as personality, in which this is the science for describing and for understanding individuals. After saying this, personality is also known as a coring area of studies for different types of psychology. So putting these together within intelligence, these topics of personality can have a constitution for most of the significant areas of individual’s differences within studies. Introduction to Personality There is not a chance for two people to be exactly the same and not even identical twins are the same. Some individuals are anxious, some individuals like the idea of risk-taking; some individuals are phlegmatic, some individuals are very high-strung; some individuals are very confident, some individuals are very shy; some individuals is very quiet, and some individuals is loquacious...
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...Introduction to Personality Karen D Shorey PSY/405 November 18, 2013 Angela Snelling Introduction to Personality It is the word origin of “personality” that leads one in the direction of the Latin persona; this signifies a mask actors find useful in a performance (Feist & Feist, 2006). An actor wears a persona in a way to camouflage a fake appearance regarding their specific character portrayal. Nonetheless, the definition today about personality has no regard with fake appearances and a whole lot about the way one observes behaviors this is illustrated through individual traits and their characteristics. An individual’s traits explain any behavioral inconsistencies or consistencies that can occur in the future; and individual characteristics can explain the attributes of each individual, be it their temperament, how intelligence an individual may be, and even an individual’s physique. According to J. Feist and G. J. Feist (2009), the definition encompasses, “…a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a person’s behavior” (p. 4). Psychological factors need to be understood regarding personality and examined through the theoretical approaches and include assessments. Theoretical Personality Approaches Quantifiable Studying personality in a psychological field is by making assumptions on the basis of human nature, this leads to the view-point of different perspectives, having a different...
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...Introduction to Personality Wilma Leibbrandt PSY 405 Dr. Phillip Morris May 7, 2012 Personality Theories For centuries, theorists are fascinated in how humans behave, and if factors and influences are involved to help shape a person’s personality. More than 100 years ago, Sigmund Freud became intrigued by the human’s behavior in which he combined philosophical speculations with primitive methods to understand the hidden factors to a person’s symptoms. Most theorists gained better understanding of personality by identifying factors of behavior in themselves, and applying this information in theories (Feist & Feist, 2009). Definition Even though psychologists have different views about the true definition of personality, but are still one of the most important topics in psychology. Humans are so unique, each with his or her personality, which makes it such a challenge in identifying typical personalities. “When psychologists use the term “personality, “they are referring to something more than the role people play” (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 3). However, most theorists agree that the term “personality” can be defined as the characteristic patterns of behaviors, feelings, and thoughts, which make an individual unique. Mostly, an individual’s personality remains consistent throughout one’s life. These basics of personality includes consistency of behaviors during one’s life, physical, and mental processes that influence one’s behavior in which the individual...
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...|Introduction to Personality Paper | | | |Psy/405 | | | |1/10/2013 | | | | | Introduction to Personality Paper Today's definition of anyone's personality is very based upon behavior that we can all observe. Traits are behavioral patterns that repeat in any person with time; characteristics make clear the distinctive qualities of a person. Personality is defined as, “…a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a person’s behavior” (Feist & Feist, 2006, p. 4). Analyzing Personality Much of my own understanding of personality comes from what I was told as I was raised, that it is what makes one person different from the next, good or bad. However, I also accept that there are other sources, more defined than my own. The understanding of personality comes from the collected...
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...Introduction to Human Personality What is a person’s personality like? Is it because of their personality that they behave the way they do and react to situations the way they do? Researchers have seek to answer whether or not people have a choice in building up their own personalities as well as why people have such varying traits in their personalities. Until recently, psychologists, theorists, philosophers very little progress in answering some of the most basic questions in human personality. The renowned psychologist, Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939) began by listening to the thought process of his patients so that he could determine the cause of the patient’s symptoms. Through this simple method, it eventually led to a more scientific method that allowed him to formulate hypothesis and verify them against clinical experience, in which led him to evolve the first modern theory of human personality. Some theorists have tried to develop comprehensive theories about personality, while some simply focused on the variety of aspects that of human personality. Although there are various views of human personality, there is a belief that human personality is regarded as a pattern of “relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a person’s behavior” (page 1) Personality Personality traits are unique to each individual and are a main contributing factor in an individual’s behavior, the stability and consistency...
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...Chapter 1 Introduction to Personality Theory Learning Objectives After reading Chapter 1, you should be able to: 1. Express your own definition of personality. 2. Differentiate theory from (a) philosophy, (b) speculation, (c) hypothesis, and (d) taxonomy. 3. Defend the need for more than one theory. 4. Show how an understanding of the various theorists' life story is related to their theory. 5. Explain the relationship between theory and observations. 6. List and explain the criteria of a useful theory. 7. Explain why falsifiability is a positive characteristic of a theory. 8. Discuss various components for a concept of humanity. 9. Define reliability and validity and explain why both concepts are important in personality research. Summary Outline I. Overview of Personality Theory From the investigations of Freud during the last decade of the 19th century until the present time, a number of personality theorists have (1) made controlled observations of human behavior and (2) speculated on the meaning of those observations. Differences in the theories of these men and women are due to more than differences in terminology. They stem from differences on basic issues concerning the nature of humanity. II. What Is Personality? The term personality comes from the Latin word persona, meaning the mask people wear or the role they play in life. However, most psychologists use the term to refer to much more...
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...Introduction to Personality p. 1 Introduction to Personality Paper PSY/ 405 January 14, 2014 Edward Lopez Introduction to Personality p. 2 Introduction to Personality The definition of personality has yet to be established as one by psychologists rather each has their own definition and theories of personality. Personality is the continuois presentation of attributes and distinctions that contribute to variety in human thought and behavior (Feist &Feist, 2009). In order to create a better understanding of distinctions...
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...Introduction to Personality Brenda L. Brown PSY/405 February 19, 2012 Dr. Chalice C. Jenkins Introduction to Personality This essay is based on the introduction to personality. He or she must include three important parts in this essay such as the definition of personality. He or she must examine the theoretical approaches in studying personality. Final part is analyzing the factors that may influence an individual’s personality development. Many scientists have tried to come up with the meaning of personality, but neither of them had the same meaning. One thing that the scientists could agree on was where the word personality originates from. Personality came from a Latin word that means persona that refers to a theatrical mask worn by Roman actors in Greek dramas. This mask or persona was worn by the Ancient Romans actors to project a false appearance or role. The term personality is used by psychologists for more than just the role a person play. One definition that some psychologists use to define personality is the unique characteristics which give both individuality and consistency in the behavior of a person relatively permanent trait. People take part in pertaining to an individual with different personality in ones daily aspect. “An individual’s personality consists of different parts and needs in which he or she chooses to call on depending on which part he or she needs during a situation. Personality is defined by most people as the...
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...Running Header: Introduction to Psychological Testing Paper Introduction to Psychological Testing Paper Thomas Hagenbuch University of Phoenix PSY/475 When looking at the field of testing there are many assumptions and questions that are looked at. Psychologists, no matter what tests they are looking at have to realize what assumptions they are making about the material or the test taker. If either one of these assumptions aren’t looked at or studied, then it is possible that the psychologists might make a mistake that could ruin their research. Through this course it will be explained the different assumption and questions that psychologists look at during their research. Psychological Tests “Psychological tests are written, visual, or verbal evaluations administered to assess the cognitive and emotional functioning of children and adults. Psychological tests are used to assess a variety of mental abilities and attributes, including achievement and ability, personality, and neurological functioning” (Psychological Tests, 2012). Some examples of psychological tests include; mental ability, achievement, personality, interests and attitudes, and neurological. Some of the context that these tests include; clinical, educational, research, and personal. Within these tests it is crucial that the information provided to individuals is true and accurate (or valid and reliable). Achievement Tests According to The Free Dictionary (2012), for...
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