What is personality?
As Robert Ewen defines, personality is referring to the long-lasting characteristics within an individual, the ones that continue to exert a strong influence on behavior. Aspects of personality may be observable or unobservable, and conscious or unconscious. (Page 9) Theories and constructs in personality are considered unconfirmed speculations consisting of a set of interrelated terms and principles.
The theories in personality that are introduced provide a framework for defining what is meaningful and focuses on areas of importance. We may be able to predict some behavior with the theories of personality, but still the field remains less well defined by empirical study than other areas of psychology. Personality, with all the theories behind it may be something that we universally accept or discuss both causally and academically. Personality theory likes to look at motivation and behavior and make assumptions about the basic nature of human beings. The implications of being able to predict behavior in a world where crime is in the forefront of the media each day seems idealistic. The questions are also raised why do we do what we do and how are we different from each other? By understanding behavior, expression and our innate potential as humans, we may further connect to each other even in the face of adversity and diversity.Personality theory is applied in areas such as dream interpretation, psychopathology, psychotherapy, education, work, religion and literature. (Page 6)
Human behavior and the closer look at personality concepts can lead us to insight on our own motives and feelings as well as those of others. By seeing what personality offers as an area of study we may be opened up to making better choices and decrease maladaptive behaviors. Using the theories as guidelines we can analyze our own choices and hopefully move towards more wellbeing and less strife.
Take away/ Key concepts
Knowing more about personality theory can really improve our understanding of anxiety. One thing Freud offered to the world in his views was the theory of anxiety and defense in which defense mechanisms are a common thread between people. Mental health according to Freud was the capability to love and work. Yet, like many topics his theory is argued, used and then modified by others such as Allport and Rogers. Much of Ewen’s book refers repeatedly back to Freud, not because he is ultimately partial to him but because his contribution was significant and laid so much groundwork for others in the area of personality theory.
The Big Five is really the nitty gritty of personality theory it seems. What are we looking at in general when we analyze a personality?
The big five is referring to the big five traits and their facets. OCEAN as they spell out. It stands for Openness (to experience), Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. It is believed that our behavior is accounted for by both physiological and psychological sources. To understand the variety of theories and methods of psychology lends to more insight both personally and practically.
Types of data are the ways in which we look at personality. How do we analyzing traits and adaptations, characteristics and life stories? There are specific types of data used to organize personality theory. S data is self report data and considered the most telling and interesting. I data is informative, L is life data, B data is behavioral. Mixed data is considered best. Each theorist may have devised their own methods of looking at personality traits, characteristics and so on but some hold more popularity for such advances in methods. Lewin, Cattell and Eysenck are a few whose work in the field of personality relied heavily upon statistical and mathematical formulations and techniques.
What were some of the theorists up to?
In some psychologists points of view humans are seen with basically malignant or benign inborn motives. We have all heard the term ‘clashing personalities’ and yet how many of us really stop to think about what that means? It is not necessary to get along well with everyone we meet but as we have increased insight to our own slant and methodology we may have increased tolerance of others. Karen Horney was interested in neurosis and made a strong niche for herself in the world of personality theorists. She was aimed at uncovering repressions in people and gave terminology to all types of neurosis.
Many theorists could rely upon the theory of unconscious, as Freud did introduce and others expanded upon or diverted from. Rollo May’s theory of Being in the world challenges that success in life is attributed to our assertiveness and facing our fears, even though death ultimately awaits us. Adler did not focus on the unconscious like Freud and others but rather saw that consciously chosen goals much more pertinent and that personality is really a unified whole and cannot really be divided into parts. Sheldon determined personality by body types (soma types) such as endomorph. He believed in a connection between body characteristics and temperament. Carl Jung, who I find so very interesting, spent much of his time immersed in the world of dream interpretation, and built upon the ideas of the unconscious, the collective unconscious, archetypes and individuation. Individuation being the process of a lifelong unfolding of a unique personality.
There is not one theorist whose work is regarded as universally correct in personality theory. Rather, there seems to be respect for the theories that have come thus far. There is also a said shift from the clinical way of studying into a more academic approach. In essence there may be a mental set when it comes to theories of personality, since Freud was not the first to study the behavior and traits of humans, there have been years upon years of insights to consider. In Ewen’s opinion it is unlikely much new information that is groundbreaking or very altering in personality theory will come forth in the future. While new advances may seem unlikely, how we look at developmental psychology may play a key role in further studying what we already know in personality. This in depth exploration of people can start in childhood, even infancy to build upon personality topics.
Early Childhood & Beyond
Most personality theorists do agree that early childhood events are exceptionally important for personality development. Attachment theory and caregiver qualities and behavior also heavily influence a child’s personality adjustment. These are good guidelines for parents to strive towards quality and moralistic parenting behavior.
Personality, like other aspects of ourselves, may both physically and emotionally grows with us as we age. Not all aspects of personality could be decided upon in the early years for we are still striving towards our own identity achievement if we are following Erikson’s theory of development.
Growing beyond the youngest years, and through the turbulence of adolescence, it is important to have a strong foundation from earlier childhood to go forth with positive regard for self and others. Erikson as well as Sullivan placed weight on this developmental stage. This time of adolescence can be a powerful time of change and growth in identity and individuality.
It is thought also that personality theorists create the theory that works most similarly to their own personality. Ewen raises the question- why would a theorist do this and how may that benefit a person to really see the world from his or her own perspective? Maybe we cannot separate from our own traits and characteristics. We can rationalize them but not truly detach. I wonder if this relates to the question of altruism. Is there anything we can do in the world, which is truly just for doing good? Is there anything we do or can strive to do that won’t affect us in some way that we consciously or unconsciously desire somehow? To desire and to love, and to have that returned- is that not a self- serving technique?
