Personality Theory - Essay Example

Personality Theory Personality Personality and personality traits are often misinterpreted. Personality is the unique behavior in certain individuals that tell them apart from other individuals. It includes certain emotions and cognition from external entities in the environment. It is the variation between individuals. One cannot assess his or her personality because it will be self biased. Only an external party can examine another party’s personality and vice versa Janda, L. H. (2001). However, in psychology one can say that personality is viewing one’s self in the eyes of others. Personality has three components: id, ego and superego. The id is responsible for one’s needs and urges while the superego is responsible for morals and ideals. The ego is responsible for the balance between the demands of the id the reality and superego. Personality traits are the scientific approach or the study of human personality. Traits are the main features that an individual possesses and are visible frequently if not on a daily base. There are two types of personality traits; primary and secondary traits. Primary traits are also known as common traits, are recognized within certain cultures and are a behavior in which a person from a certain culture is more likely to conduct him or herself in their environment. The study of Primary traits can be done in two forms, nomothetic and idiographic. Nomothetic is the statistical view on group behavior while idiographic is the study of individual Behavior. Ancient Greek philosophy states that the personality traits can be classified into two major types, introversion and extroversion. Introversion is the inward tendency of an individual where one is focused more on his or herself and is often indulged in thoughts rather than external stimulation while an extrovert is more focused on external stimulation than lines of thought. Introverts pay little attention to their environment and tend to have fewer friends compared to extroverts who have plenty and savor privacy. These are the two main types of personality traits. Thus, personality is a general term on human behavior while personality traits focus on the specific kinds of behavior. There are various theoretical theories that are used in studying personality by researchers. These theories can be categorized into five major theories as described below; Biological Theories The approach is what psychologists say is the unique genetic composition of an individual which is responsible for personality and behavior. Genetic composition is distinctive and no person has the same genetic code with another even twins. everybody has different personalities. Genetic code can be identified as ones unique signature popularly referred to as DNA. Behavioral Theories This theory indicates that the individual’s environment including friends, parents, teachers and even the media greatly influences his or her behavior and how one becomes and relates to external stimulation and interaction in general. It also influences decision making skills and performance. Psychodynamic Theories This theory of the study of personality as stated by Sigmund Freud focuses on the subconscious mind and its stimulation from an individual’s environment during his or her childhood. They are based on experiences but are mainly tailored by traumatic experiences and can even alter a sexuality. For example a boy who was sexually molested by a close female relative is more likely to become a homosexual compared to one who was not. The subconscious manifests into behavior over time without awareness by the person affected. Humanist Theories Humanistic theories talk about the importance of free will and self-actualization that is a self drive and desire for personal growth. However it is motivated by one’s environment including the media. It is a theory by humanists mainly Carl Rodgers and Abraham Maslow. Trait Theories This is a vast theory in personality theoretical approaches. It states that a personality is as a result of many traits that build up to one major trait. This theory was made up by Eysenck using three-dimension and five factor theory of personality. The five-factor model has received criticism for not containing orthogonal structures between the factors. Hans Eysenck argued that this is because some factors are dominant than other factors. The two approaches are, however, comparable because they are both hierarchical taxonomies although they differ in the number of factors. The five-factor model does not contain psycotism that is not viable because psycotism does not apply in a normal human distribution curve. However, one can predict future behavior in certain individuals using the five-factor model because it includes extreme psychiatric behaviors like antisocial, schizoid and neuroticism. Various factors influence one’s personality, but they can be summarized into five major factors, which are economic status, experience, abilities, genes and physical appearance (Goodman, Goodman & Leff, 2011). People in the lower economic status compared to those in a high economic status tend to have a lower self-esteem. For example if a person met an appealing individual at a public place, the most likely person that will initiate contact is the one with a high economic status. The prior is also more likely to suffer from stress as compared to the latter. Experience influences one’s personality in that a person with more experience has more likely to cope in a difficult situation and with less stress compared to one with less experience. This is because less experience may make a person have primitive responses to difficult situations include denial and stress. In addition, a person who has gone through a traumatic experience will react in certain biased ways to situations for example; one who has been in a car accident is more likely to be a slower driver. Abilities affect one’s personality from a tender age. A boy who can as little as through a ball a shorter distance as other kids is most likely to be made fun of and this may result in a more timid introversive behavior and is more likely to be a loner because of the feeling of rejection (Carducci, 2006). In addition, genetic theories of personality development have a strong basis. A study conducted in Edinburgh University on 800 sets of identical and non-identical twins showed that the identical twins responded similarly to a set of questionnaires on personality making genetic influence one of the biggest factors on personality development. Lastly, physical appearance is a key factor in personality development in both men and women. A survey conducted by the new scientist magazine revealed that shorter people are more likely to be jealous of their taller counterparts in both relationships and career. References Carducci, B. J. (2006). The psychology of personality. Oxford: Blackwell. Goodman, M. E. C. L., Goodman, M. D. C. L., & Leff, L. B. (2011). The Everything Guide to Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Professional, Reassuring Advice for Coping with the Disorder - At Work, at Home, and in Your Family. Holbrook: F+W Media. Janda, L. H. (2001). The psychologists book of personality tests: Twenty-four revealing tests to identify and overcome your personal barriers to a better life. New York: Wiley. Read More