Question

Does Allport’s theory satisfy his five criteria for an adequate theory of personality? Explain. Does Freud’s (or Jung’s) theory satisfy Allport’s criteria? Why or why not? Are Allport’s research methods appropriate for the study of personality as he sees it? Explain your answer. Does Allport’s theory adequately explain psychopathology? Develop your answer with examples.

Answer 1

Allport’s theory for adequate theory of personality includes

• He says that the psychoanalytic theory is correct
• That people would have variables that would be contributing to their behaviours.
• He implies that most of our behaviours have motives with the present and these motives are not implied with our past.
• Theories should be such that they should be blended with a person’s capabilities.
• There must be self awareness that a theory must account for .

Freud’s theory had marked the invitation of development of allport’s personality theory, though it is very different from freud’s psychoanalytic perspective. But, Allport’s theory marked the minimisation of unconscious in the mentality of a person and emphasised that the behaviour of a person is only albeit his concious and rational self. His theory was also in conflict of Freud’s theory that childhood experiences do not play a role in the life of an adult saying that the present experience of a person is what would influence his behaviour. Hence, Freud’s theory was not in coordination of allport’s theory.