Trait Theory
Tim Brasher
PSYC – 2009 -1
Dr. Tonya Inman
As I began the process of preparing for this week’s assignments and I noticed that a great deal of emphasis was being put on personality trait testing, I have to say I was a little bit nervous as I have never really put much stock into those particular types of tests being very accurate. But after reading chapters 7 and 8 in our text Personality: Theory and Research, the article on Gordon Allport, and most specifically taking the self monitoring test myself and comparing the results given to what I already believed to be true about myself, I now have a better understanding about how these tests, along with an ability to gauge and monitor consistent patterns of behavior, feelings and thought (Cervone & Pervin, 2013, p. 232) can be a valuable tool in not only a scientific setting but in gaining self awareness. I am writing this paper as a means of sharing my insights about personality trait theories as well as how these theories might help an individual gain insight into their relationships with themselves and others. I will also discuss the relationship between personality trait theories, psychoanalytic and humanistic theories and which of these are more effective in explaining human behavior.
One of the largest insights I have gained through my research this week is the knowledge of the beliefs of Gordon Allport. His suggestion that the individual self is composed of the aspects that humans feel are the most essential interests me (Boeree, 2006). By breaking down those aspects into seven separate functions, which include, sense of body, self-identity, self-esteem, self-extension, self-image, rational coping, and propriate striving (Boeree, 2006), Allport developed a means to better explain where human motives derive from.
As we attempt to gain a firmer grasp on our ability to improve our relationships with friends, family and the people we interact with on a
PSYC – 2009 -1
Dr. Tonya Inman
As I began the process of preparing for this week’s assignments and I noticed that a great deal of emphasis was being put on personality trait testing, I have to say I was a little bit nervous as I have never really put much stock into those particular types of tests being very accurate. But after reading chapters 7 and 8 in our text Personality: Theory and Research, the article on Gordon Allport, and most specifically taking the self monitoring test myself and comparing the results given to what I already believed to be true about myself, I now have a better understanding about how these tests, along with an ability to gauge and monitor consistent patterns of behavior, feelings and thought (Cervone & Pervin, 2013, p. 232) can be a valuable tool in not only a scientific setting but in gaining self awareness. I am writing this paper as a means of sharing my insights about personality trait theories as well as how these theories might help an individual gain insight into their relationships with themselves and others. I will also discuss the relationship between personality trait theories, psychoanalytic and humanistic theories and which of these are more effective in explaining human behavior.
One of the largest insights I have gained through my research this week is the knowledge of the beliefs of Gordon Allport. His suggestion that the individual self is composed of the aspects that humans feel are the most essential interests me (Boeree, 2006). By breaking down those aspects into seven separate functions, which include, sense of body, self-identity, self-esteem, self-extension, self-image, rational coping, and propriate striving (Boeree, 2006), Allport developed a means to better explain where human motives derive from.
As we attempt to gain a firmer grasp on our ability to improve our relationships with friends, family and the people we interact with on a
References: Cervone, D., & Pervin, L.A. (2013). Personality: Theory and research (12th Ed.). Hoboken, NJ. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Boeree, C.G. (2013). Personality theories: Gordon Allport. Retrieved September 22, 2013 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/allport.html