Prespectives on Personality Essay

The study of genius is one of the major topics of arouse within psychology. Numerous personality theories exist, and most of the major ones fall in to one of four major perspectives. Each of these perspectives on personality attempts to recognize different patterns in personality, including how these patterns form and how people differ on an single(a) level. The Psychoanalytic Perspective Thepsychoanalytic perspectiveof personality emphasizes the importance of earlier childhood experiences and the unconscious mind.This perspective on personality was created by shrink Sigmund Freud who believed that things hidden in the unconscious could be revealed in a piece of different ways, including through dreams, free association and slips of the tongue. Neo-Freudian theorists, including Erik Erikson, Carl Jung, Alfred Adler andK atomic number 18n Horney, believed in the importance of the unconscious, solely disagreed with other aspects of Freuds theories. The Humanistic Perspective The humanistic perspective of personality focuses on psychological growth, free will and personal awareness.It takes a more(prenominal) positive outlook on human nature and is centered on how each person can achieve their individual potential. The Social cognitive Perspective The sociable cognitive perspective of personality emphasizes the importance of data-based learning, self-efficacy, situational gos and cognitive processes. Major Theorists and Their Theories Sigmund FreudStressed the importance of early childhood events, the influence of the unconscious and sexual instincts in the development and formation of personality. Erik EriksonEmphasized the social elements of personality development, the identity crisis and how personality is shaped over the course of the freehanded(a) lifespan. Carl JungFocused on concepts such as the collective unconscious,archetypesand psychological types. Alfred AdlerBelieved the encumbrance motive behind personality involves striving for super iority, or the desire to thrash challenges and move closer toward self-realization. This desire to achieve superiority stems from underlying feelings of inferiority that Adler believed were universal. Karen HorneyFocused on the need to overcome basic anxiety, the sense of creation isolated and alone in the world. She emphasized the societal and cultural factors that similarly play a role in personality, including the importance of the parent-child relationship. What is the Trait theory The characteristic approach to personality is one of the major theoretical areas in the study of personality. The quality theory suggests that individual personalities are composed broad dispositions. Consider how you would exposit the personality of a close friend. Chances are that you would disceptation a number of traits, such asoutgoing,kindandeven-tempered.A trait can be thought of as a relatively steadfast characteristic that causes individuals to behave in certain ways. The Trait Persp ective The trait perspective of personality is centered on identifying, describing and measuring the particular(prenominal) traits that perform up human personality. By understanding these traits, researchers believe they can split up comprehend the differences between individuals GordonAllports Trait Theory In 1936, psychologistGordon Allport install that one English-language dictionary alone contained more than 4,000 words describing different personality traits. He categorized these traits into three levels Cardinal TraitsTraits that dominate an individuals whole life, a great deal to the point that the person becomes known specifically for these traits. peck with such personalities often become so known for these traits that their names are often synonymous with these qualities. Consider the origin and meaning of the following descriptive terms Freudian, Machiavellian, narcissism, Don Juan, Christ-like, etc. Allport suggested that cardinal traits are rare and carry to dev elop later in life. 2 Central TraitsThese are the familiar characteristics that form the basic foundations of personality. These central traits, while not as grand as cardinal traits, are the major characteristics you might use to describe another person. Terms such asintelligent,honest,shyandanxiousare considered central traits. Secondary TraitsThese are the traits that are sometimes related to attitudes or preferences and often appear only in certain situations or under specific circumstances. Some examples would be getting anxious when speaking to a classify or impatient while waiting in line.