Question

Choose one of the following theories from the first half of the course (Rogers) and one of the following theories from the second half (Trait Theory). Compare and contrast your two personality theories’ conceptualisations of a. Structure, b. Process, and c. Development . Which of the two theories provides the strongest explanation for personality as defined by the Cervone and Pervin text used in Psych 207? Provide your rationale .

Answer 1

• The humanistic perspective of personality focuses on psychological growth, free will, and personal awareness. It takes a more positive outlook on human nature and is centered on how each person can achieve their individual potential.
• Carl Rogers: Believed in the inherent goodness of people and emphasized the importance of free will and psychological growth. He suggested that the actualizing tendency is the driving force behind human behavior.
  
• The trait perspective of personality is centered on identifying, describing and measuring the specific traits that make up human personality. By understanding these traits, researchers believe they can better comprehend the differences between individuals.
• Raymond Cattell: Identified 16 personality traits that he believed could be utilized to understand and measure individual differences in personality.According to him the surface traits are the qualities of one’s behaviour that are observable directly in action.The source traits (determine the surface trait) on the other hand, are the qualities found in the organism at a deeper level so they cannot be observed directly.For example feelings of insecurity is a source trait. It cannot be observed directly unless it expresses through surface traits like restlessness, timidity, high emotionality.
• Allport suggested three basic categories of traits such as cardinal, central and secondary.A cardinal trait is a single characteristic that directs most of a person’s activities, for example, a totally selfless woman might direct all her energy towards humanitarian activities.
• Most people, however, do not develop all encompassing cardinal traits. Instead they possess a handful of central traits. Honesty and sociability are the major characteristics of an individual, they usually numbered from five to ten in any one person.
• Finally, secondary traits are characteristics that affect behaviour in fewer situation and are less influential than control or cardinal traits. For example, a preference for ice-cream or a dislike of modern art would be considered a secondary trait.
• Rogers insisted on the need to appreciate the uniqueness of every person and the importance of concentrating to the present context instead of the past. As a proposer of dispositions theory, Gordon believed that people have predispositions to display certain characters and emotions. These behaviors depend on the circumstances that the individual is in now.
• Unlike trait theories, humanistic theories consider a person in a holistic sense. Humanistic theories take a more philosophical approach to the study of personalities with key emphasis on the exploitation of abilities, free will, and conscious decision making
• The key analysis factor of trait theorists revolves around commodities that passed on from one generation to the next. According to them, the environment in which an individual lives has a second influence after inherited traits in shaping the personality of an individual.
• Due to to time limit,the remaining questions can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation