Premium Essay

Personality Psychology

In:

Submitted By valoreamor
Words 851
Pages 4
Introduction to Personality
When describing personality, one must take many factors into consideration. The definition itself is complex as there are many different opinions depending on the many theories of personality development. The New Big Five article by McAdams and Pals describe the unique facets of personality psychology. The factors that influence individual’s persona are many and are briefly mentioned in this essay.
Personality Defined
It is difficult to define personality. Each personality theorist has their own opinion depending on their own personal experiences (Feist & Feist, 2009). Although there is not a single specific definition for personality, each personality theorist has a distinct idea of the meaning of the word personality (Feist & Feist, 2009). A definition that may describe personality pertains to the unique traits and characteristics that relate to behavior that individuals possess that make them special and different from others (Feist & Feist, 2009). The authors further distinguish traits and characteristics. Traits could be distinctive, or they could be shared by a certain species (Feist & Feist, 2009). It is the pattern of the traits that distinguishes personality (Feist & Feist, 2009). Characteristics are also unique and have to do with “attributes as temperament, physique, and intelligence” (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 4).
Theoretical Approaches to Personality
Although there are several theoretical approaches in the study of personality, psychodynamic, humanistic, and learning theories, the most interesting idea in understanding personality psychology is found in the article, A New Big Five, written by Dan McAdams and Jennifer Pals. The big five are principles that study the “theoretical trends in personality psychology” (McAdams & Pals, 2006, p. 204). This theory is intriguing

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Personality Psychology

...Introduction The history of psychology dates as far back as ancient Greece. The philosophers since the 4th century BCE have been trying to define exactly what it is that makes us, us. Plato proposed four groupings (artistic, sensible, intuitive, reasoning) and Aristotle hypothesized four factors (iconic i.e. artistic, pistic i.e. common sence, noetic i.e. intuition and dianoetic i.e. logic) and contributed to ones social order in society. (blog. tiptaplab.com). Personality psychology is a branch of psychology that governs the personality and its variations between individuals. The areas of focus include; construction of a coherent picture of the individual and their major psychological processes, investigation of individual psychological differences, investigation of human nature and psychological similarities between individuals. Personality also refers to someone’s public image (blog. tiptaplab.com). The word personality is a Latin word personae, which is the mask actors wore in ancient Greek plays. They changed personae to let audience know they were assuming different roles (www.reading fanatic.com). Key contributors of Personality There are several contributors to school of personality psychology who explore personality in different contexts. They include Gordon Alport, who believed personality is something within an individual that leads to characteristics of behaviour and thought. Carl Rogers on the other hand thought it is a self organized consistent pattern...

Words: 2230 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Psychology- Narcissitic Personality Disorder

...April J. LaytonPsychology Branz Narcissistic Personality Disorder Overview of the study Narcissistic Personality Disorder, NPD, in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Fourth Edition describes that the foundation “lack of empathy” in NPD is entirely based on clinical observation and expert consensus. However, a similar apprehension and empirical, or publicly observed, evaluation of the criterion “lack of empathy” in this disorder are inadequate, making the intent in this study was to empirically determine compassion in patients with narcissism according to the DSM-IV. This disorder is a severe mental disorder with popular rates of up to 6% in general population, unrelenting functional impairment, and high suicide rates. This disorder was established as an individual foundation, criterion 8, in the DSM-III-R (1994), which explains the “inability to recognize and experience how others feel”. It was also affirmed in the DSM-IV and the DSM-IV-TR as criterion seven. More studies that have been based on the DSM-IV also uncovered low diagnostic accuracy of the criterion “lack of empathy”. The hypothesis is: the discrepancy is due to the fact that no theoretical constitute influences the NPD criterion “lack of empathy” in the DSM (1983), and so its assessment may be destitute. Participants Recruited were 47 inpatients that had been diagnosed with NPD by the Department of Psychiatry, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin and contributing German...

Words: 1112 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Personality Psychology

...Personality 85-251 Final Examination Instructions: Be sure to read each question carefully and answer each part of each question completely. Each question is worth twenty points (10 for accuracy and completeness of information, 10 for application of concepts). 1. What does it mean to say that a perspective on personality is inherently deterministic? Give an example of a perspective we discussed in class that has, at its core, a deterministic worldview. Support your assertion by giving examples of how this perspective is deterministic. When a personality is inherently deterministic, it means that personality is pre-determined from birth or due to life conditions and specific events. It is very similar to psychoanalytic theory in which Freud believes there are 4 stages that everyone must go through and their ability to successfully move on from these stages determine their personality in the future. If they fail at one stage, they are fixated there. Any event that occurs outside of early childhood has little influence on a person's personality. Determinism is the opposite of freewill. An example is if a child fails at the anal stage of the psychoanalytic theory because it fail to develop a sense of the right time and place to produce things, then that child be fixated on that stage and would grow up to have either compulsive or retentive traits. This is deterministic because children learn at a young age the right time and place to do certain things, such as to...

Words: 2498 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Relationship of Locus of Control and Personality Type on Physical and Non-Physical Sports Players of Sdcalympics A.Y. 2014-2015

...that the outcomes of their performances in life are determined by forces beyond their control (e. g., fate, chance, luck, powerful others and supernatural forces) and that they determine the occurrence of specified events. As Rotter (1966) pointed out, the effect of reinforcement “depends on whether or not the person perceives a causal relationship between his own behavior and the reward” (p. 1) As cited by Samaei (Samaei, Ramezani, & Semnani, 2012) in his study, to some researchers such as Rotter (1986), Heinrich & Gullone (2006) and Ekwall (2004) one of the researchable and important aspects of personality is the study of locus of control in individuals. According to Bal, Singh, & Singh, 2010, locus of control has been one of the psychological factors that give impact on sport performance. Locus of control has been associated with many different personalities and situational variables. The assumption upon which locus of...

Words: 2336 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Hans Eysenck

...intelligence and personality, though he worked in a wide range of areas. * Eysenck was Professor of Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London (a constituent college of the federal University of London), from 1955 to 1983. * He was a major contributor to the modern scientific theory of personality and a brilliant teacher who helped found treatment for mental illnesses. Born: March 4, 1916, Berlin, Germany Died: September 4, 1997, London, United Kingdom died because of a brain tumour in a London hospice Education: University College London Eysenck's theory of personality was created in 1947.Eysenck's theory is based on physiology and genetics.Eysenck stated that personality differences is someone growing out of their genetic inheritance. Eysenck fought hard against the trend that personality involves biology and the environment. He figured out that all human traits can be broken down into two different categories- Neuroticism and Introversion-Extroversion. Neuroticism ranges from normal and fairly calm to people that are very nervous. This doesn't mean that someone is neurotic but people who fall into this category are more likely to develop neurotic disorders later in life. Extraversion-introversion, this term means shy, or quiet people versus outgoing or loud people. Extroversion types of personalities need a lot of stimulation and often express emotions. They are usually relaxed and very confident. Introversion personality types need...

Words: 1580 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Scribe and Evaluate Carl Jung’s Theory

...“Describe and evaluate Carl Jung’s theory concerning personality types and show how they might usefully help a therapist to determine therapeutic goals” Introduction Carl Gustav Jung (1875 – 1961) a Swiss born psychologist and psychiatrist was the founding father of the theory and methodology known as ‘Analytical Psychology’. In his early years Jung studied with and was heavily influenced by Freud. But would later have fundamental concerns with regard to Freud’s theories going on to develop his theories and practice of ‘Analytical Psychology’. Jung’s legacy and its impact on modern day psychology and the ‘psychologisation of religion’ in particular spirituality and the New Age movement are immense. Many of Jung’s original theories and methodology still influences the way psychologists and psychoanalysts practice today. Psychological concepts such as ‘archetype’, ‘collective unconscious’, ‘the complex’ and ‘synchronicity’ are Jungian precepts. The ‘Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) which is used today to measure an individuals perception of their surroundings and how their decisions are formed, is based on Jung’s ‘Typological theory’. Jung’s father being a pastor and his mother an atheist (in modern day terms) from an early age gave Jung the opportunity to consider and reflect on both “sides” of the religious vs non-believer question, along with the subsequent impact and conflicts within his own psyche. Throughout Jung’s life he expressed a keen interest in nature and...

Words: 2628 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Personality Reflection

...1. How would you define personality? Personality is defined as the accumulation of a distinctive and unique pattern of characteristics, qualities, and traits that are associated with a person and who they are as an individual. Our personalities represent who we are as a person and play an indispensable role in our day to day lives because it plays a vital part in how we think, feel, and behave. Our personalities help to motivate or deter our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions just as it can depict our wants, desires, beliefs, attitudes, aspirations, goals, and areas of growth. Personality plays a significant role through our professional and personal lives. The personality of a person is one of the most dynamic aspects within psychology because it is the contribution of the person we are today, and provides clarification through pinpointing and isolating the origin of behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. A person’s personality is unique and varies from person to person. The most common factors that are taken into consideration when evaluating a persons’ personality is his or her genetics and hereditary factors, and overall life experiences and the environment that the person was brought up in. 2. What are some key personality features that define you? Key personality features that define me as a person and can be easily associated with who I am as a person is that I am high organized and structured in my personal, academic, and professional life. I am the type of person...

Words: 1376 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Mbti Unit 3 Project Sc300

...Personality Tests: Tools in Psychology LeighAnn Hancock Kaplan University PS330: Personality Development Professor Stephen Huber December 5, 2012 Personality Tests: Tools in Psychology Personality Tests: Tools in Psychology I. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test, developed to make C.G. Jung’s personality type theory understandable and applicable to person’s everyday life. The MBTI is a psychometric instrument designed to sort people into groups of personality types. Jungian theory posits that there are different functions and attitudes of consciousness. Perception is the means by which one becomes aware of people, things, events, and concepts; judgment is the means of coming to conclusions about how to handle the information thus gathered (C.J. Jung’s Theory of Types, 2012). Applications have been made across a broad spectrum of human experience, including in areas such as counseling and psychotherapy; education, learning styles, and cognitive styles; career counseling; management and leadership in business organizations and the military services; and health-related issues. A. The MBTI has a unique and interesting history. Unlike most personality inventories, it was initially designed to facilitate research interests, and only later adapted for general use. 1. “The MBTI is a self-report questionnaire that assesses type preferences on Extraversion-Introversion (E-I), Sensation-Intuition (S-N), Thinking-Feeling (T-F), and also on Judgment-Perception...

Words: 1430 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Ap Psychology Test Personality

...1. Kent and Jebreel both ask Danielle out on a date. Kent is very attractive and a lot of fun to be with, but he’s also employed. Jebreel is older than Kent, has a secure job, and owns his own home; however, Jebreel is quite unattractive and not very much fun. Daniel chooses to go out with Jebreel instead of Kent. The ______ theory of motivation would best predict Daniel’s choice. Concept tested: Theory’s of motivation Page 399: Instinct theory is motivation based off of inherent automatic behavior. These occur consistently because of stimuli. This is how birds build nests perfectly as soon as they leave their family. I chose A, Drive reduction theory. Drive reduction focuses on a homeostasis in the body. There are needs that ruin the equlibrium, and our brain responds to these with drives, a feeling that prompts action. This restores balance. This concept is wrong because Danielle makes her decision based off of herself a human being wanting to go to the more secure and safe person, which is instinct. The imbalance was not a part of this question. Correct answer is C, Instinct. 5. Juan is obsessed with building up his bank balance, even though he is quite comfortable and prosperous now. One situation exemplifies the power of Concept tested: Theory’s of motivation Page 402/403 bottom right: Secondary drives are stimuli that achieve primary drives through learned mechanisms. This is usually characterized through money. I chose C, homeostasis. Homeostasis...

Words: 1047 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Human Resource Management

...(a) personality profiles based on the (1) 16 PF and (2) the TAT, (b) interviewer ratings, (c) intelligence test, (d) handwriting analysis, (e) promotability analysis, (f) performance ratings and (g) work sample scores. Cite independent research sources as appropriate to support your position. (20 points) Personality Assessments Thematic Apperception Test While personality tests can offer one the ability to observe an individual’s psyche, both conscience and subconscious, respectively, its validity to actually “judge” an individual within an interview process is not a best-practice method. As research has indicated “…the TAT is a powerful and revealing measure that has made an undeniable contribution to the motivation literature. However, to the extent that the administration and scoring of the test can be improved and refined through the development of a standard set of cues, group norms, and a more efficient scoring system, the true potential of this measure is at present untapped.”TAT Administration TAT Administration Personality Factors (16) Similar to the TAT test, using standardized personality tests as determining factors within an interview process is controversial. However, personality tests are standardized and most employers consider quantitative scores accurate. Thus personality tests, such as the Myers-Briggs, are utilized across multiple industries. While certain personality factors may be considered viable to positions with defined personality requirements...

Words: 4188 - Pages: 17

Free Essay

Management

..., disseminator Decisional : -Entrepreneur , Disturbance handler , recourse allocator Management Skills Technical / conceptual / Human skills Effective vs Successful manager Traditional management / networking / communication / Human resource management Effective – More communication Successful – more networking Average – all three balanced. Organization Behavior :- is a field of study that investigate the impact that individual , group and structure have on the behavior of organization and applying such knowledge to increase organization effectiveness. OB is a field that study what people do and how there behavior effect the organization. Discipline that contribute to OB Psychology : - science that seeks to measure , explain and sometime change the behavior of human. Social psychology : - focus on influence of people on one another. Sociology : -study of people in relation with there environment Anthropology :-Study of societies to learn about human being. Challenges and opportunities for OB Globalization , movement of jobs , foreign assignments , working with diff culture , changing demographics , managing people during war, diversity Improving productivity / improving customer services / improving quality / ethical environment / work leisure balance / improving people skill / innovation and change / working with networked organization / creating positive work environment. Effects : - Absenteeism , turnover , deviant work environment , Job satisfaction. ...

Words: 741 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Carl Jung

...Carl Gustav Jung was born on 26 July 1875 and died on 6th June 1961. Carl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist who founded analytical psychology. Carl Jung was an early supporter of Freud because of their shared interest in the unconscious. He was an active member of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. Carl agreed with Freud in many areas but not in regards to the Oedipus Complex. Jung proposed and developed the concepts of extraversion and introversion archetypes and the collective unconscious. His work has been influential in psychiatry and in the study of religion, philosophy, archeology, anthropology, literature, and related fields. Much of Carl’s work was not published until after his death. Carl Jung believed that “the central concept of analytical psychology is individuation the psychological process of integrating the opposites, including the conscious with the unconscious, while still maintaining their relative autonomy”. Jung considered individuation to be the central process of any human development. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a popular psychometric instrument, was developed from Jung's theory of psychological types. Jung saw the human psyche as "by nature religious" and made this religiousness the focus of his explorations.]Jung is one of the best known contemporary contributors to dream analysis and symbolisation. Through research, I have discovered Jung was a practising clinician and considered himself to be a scientist, much of his...

Words: 1399 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Foundation of Psychology

...Foundation of Psychology Psychology Foundation of Psychology Debbie Rodgers Colorado Technical University Online PSYC120-1301B-02 Professor Susan Sandman March 18, 2013 Biography of Diana Princess of Wales Diana was born on July 1, 1961, a direct descendent of King Charles II, she became Lady Diana Spencer in 1975 when her father became eighth Earl of Spencer. She lived with her father and three siblings after her parent divorced in 1969, father Edward John Spencer, Viscount Althorpe, and mother Francis Ruth Burke Roche, Viscountess Althorpe, and later Honorable Francis Shand Kydd. Diana was a shy child loved music, ballet, and had a fondness for children, although she was a poor student she became a teacher and taught kindergarten at Young England School. As a child, she played with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward she was no stranger to royalty they rented Park House. Later she went on to marry Prince Charles, twelve years her senior on July 29, 1981 with a much publicized wedding, a year later Prince William Arthur Philip Louis was born on June 21, 1982, two years later Prince (Harry) Henry Charles Albert David was born September 15, 1984 and was a very devoted mother. Diana gave up her title of Her Royal Highness after divorcing Prince Charles in 1996. Extreme pressure of wife, mother, and princes left her depressed, she often cut herself on the arms and legs and several suicide attempts, and she became a model for depression and bulimia...

Words: 5686 - Pages: 23

Premium Essay

Jung's Theory.

...both genetics and heredity factors alongside upbringing, culture and experience are recognised as influencing an individual’s personality. Jung's work in this field extended way beyond understanding this general proposition about personality and he became one of the greatest thinkers of his time to have theorised about life and how people relate to it. He drew inspiration and guidance from the ancient models like astrology and Greek theology especially in regarding the Greek "Temperament theory" or the "four humours theory." The ancient Greeks 400BC believed in 'four temperaments'', however it was works of Hippocrates a Greek physician who developed it into a medical theory. He believed that certain human moods, emotions and behaviours were caused by body fluids called "humors": blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. These four body fluids were also linked to certain organs and illnesses. Later in history a Greek physician called Galen (AD 130-200) developed the first typology of temperament of these humors in his dissertation; Detemperamentis’ In the dissertation Galen mapped a matrix (Matrix is the place or point which something else originates) of hot\cold and dry\wet types taken from the four humors. He proposed that the balance of bodily fluids in the individual influenced different behaviour and in the ideal personality with an even deposition the complementary characteristics or warm-cool and dry-moist were exquisitely balanced. However, he went...

Words: 2690 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Paper

...extraversion and introversion. Extraversion is an attitude of the psyche characterized by an orientation toward the external world and other people. Introversion is an attitude of the psyche characterized by an orientation toward one’s own thoughts and feelings. According to Jung, everyone has the capacity for both attitudes, but only one becomes dominant in the personality (ENGLER, B 2014). The Myers Briggs assessment asked me a total of 72 questions about how I perceived things that have occurred in my life and my personal values and beliefs. My test result for the Jung typology test was personality type ENFJ....

Words: 531 - Pages: 3