The evaluation of personality stability and change across the life span is largely determined by theoretical beliefs. While some scholars have a more deterministic viewpoint and consider human personality as fairly predictable and stable over time (e.g. biogenetic determinism), other theorists view personality as fluid and highly malleable (e.g. behaviorism). The intermediate stance assumes a bidirectional relationship between heredity and environment, which allows for both consistency and change in personality. Moreover, some theorists introduce a third element to a biosocial model - the individual (e.g. transactional model of socialization). Evaluation of personality stability is difficult, seeing lack of consensus on what personality is and how it should be measured even when it viewed through a similar framework. Examination of two trait theories of Allport and Eysenck present an intriguing juxtaposition on personality definition, measurement and performance.
Allport, a pillar of personality psychology, defined personality through individual traits, a relatively permanent characteristic, existence of which can be verified scientifically through empirical or statistical analysis (Allport, 1931). He used a lexical approach to identify thousands dispositions that can describe an individual, and organized them into three major categories: cardinal (dominant), central (common), and secondary (unique) traits. Allport’s advised that while traits have a universal aspect, they should be examined and explained with caution and artistry. Interpretations of behavioral variance should consider both contextual circumstances and possibility of coexisting contradictory traits in one individual. He further suggested that patterns and...
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Does personality determine behavior? Phelps (2015) dived into this discussion in his article by reviewing the perspectives of personality, how psychology relates to behavior and the idea of self, and further, how behaviorists define personality and all of its components. Phelps (2015) compares and contrasts the common beliefs of personality and the view of self as attributed to personality theorists with those characterized by behavioral theorists. A typical understanding of personality is one that defines it as an internal substance that drives behavior, and therefore, by seeking to understand a person's personality we can almost assume their actions (Phelps, 2015). Behavioral theorists, on the other hand, do not lean on vague internal conditions to explain behavior, but rather they evaluate a person's past and present settings to define behavior, according to Phelps (2015). The conclusion is that behaviorists' perspectives on these topics are far more parsimonious in nature and most popular views of personality speak to a more internal and far-reaching position rather than the behavior itself (Phelps, 2015). Likewise, Phelps (2015) addresses the issue of meeting specific criteria for discerning whether a theoretical viewpoint is valid in helping us understand people. He continued to remark that behaviorists' stances meet a large portion of the criteria as presented by Gordon Allport (Phelps, 2015). For example, they have less assumptions, they are consistent, and not to mention, they are testable and falsifiable, Phelps (2015) supports. In my opinion and critical review, this article is useful because it provides an unbiased assessment of a variety of personality theories and definitions of personality and the self. Likewise, it is simple and easy to understand, thus qualifying it as parsimonious. Overall, I think the article did its ultimate job of evaluating different perspectives and
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Lastly, the findings of trait theory and its components described within the paper will be summarised. Major contributors to the trait theory of personality include three prominent psychologists. Boeree (2006) states that American born psychologist Gordon Allport has been described as the founding father of personality trait theory. Allport’s distinguished career included holding the presidency of the American Psychological Association (APA) and receiving the Gold Medal Award and a Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the APA (Carducci, 2009, p. 260). After meeting with Sigmund Freud in 1922 and studying his interpretation of personality, Allport developed the opinion that psychoanalysis was too in-depth while behaviourism was far too shallow in the field of personality psychology.
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The Five-Factor Model of Personality gives an insight to psychologists when dealing with patients and test subjects. Due to this theory, research psychologist are able to research personality more accurately and uphold a better understanding when discussing the reasoning behind certain pre-disposed tendencies. Also, counselors which practice different types of therapy are enabled to learn details concerning their patient that can assist in the treatment of that specific patient. There have been multiple disputes in regards to the validity of the Five-Factor Model of Personality theory. Many skeptics believe that there are too many variations that come into play when dealing with personality in order to accurately depict and diagnose a 100% accurate declaration of ones’ characteristics (McCrae, 1991). The issue with relying on the model in order to declare one’s characteristics is that there is often overlap between the degrees of high and low (Popkins, 1998). Although this is a valid statement, the model is a significant role in sorting through the variations to achieve a probable consensus. Therefore, the model cannot achieve a result without any probable cause for doubt but generally will provide a clear depiction of ones’ traits and
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Costa and McCrae have argued that personality is stable, which is especially stable after the age of 30, that it is universal; that the core structure consists of five major domains which reflects the based structure. He has argued that personality is an important influence on behavior, including longevity and