Personal Characteristics: An Analysis Of The Theory Of Personality

Theory of Personality Traits are specific factors a person possesses that makes up their personality. According to trait theories, personality consists of broad, enduring dispositions that tend to lead to character responses. (King, 2016) This essentially means that we can define individuals by how they act, whether their friendly, outgoing, shy, or introverted. People who show those specific traits frequently are known to be “high” in those specific traits. For example, if someone is low in openness then they would be more practical or traditional in how they behaved or dealt with situations. Gordon Allport was one of the first psychologists to heavily focus on the study of personality. He believed that personality psychology should be concerned

When it comes to openness, I’m more practical, traditional, and most comfortable in familiar surroundings. I tend to focus more on things that are more concrete and straightforward rather than abstract. People who score low in openness tend to have more conservative political views and enjoy mainstream entertainment rather than going to the opera or ballet. I fall into both of those, I vote conservatively, and I would much rather listen to pop music and see a movie rather than an opera. I do understand the importance of art though and enjoy some things that people who score lower in openness don’t. I don’t consider myself to be completely conservative, as I lean more liberal on some issues. Another characteristic of openness I don’t feel like I completely fall into is not enjoying arts. I appreciate art, and enjoy going to art museums and theater performances. So, while I don’t score highest in this, I don’t believe that I am not at all open to experience. Lastly, I score low in agreeableness. Those who score low in this tend to put their own needs and interests in front of others. While, I don’t think I’m completely untrusting of others and selfish, I do tend to show those traits sometimes. I am selfish when it comes to people I’m not close to, and I think this stems from me not being open and comfortable around new people. I think I can tie in my insecurity and being more reserved into why I am like this. When I meet a person, I don’t automatically trust that they are good and nice, it takes time for me to get to know them and make sure that they are. I am untrusting and selfish, but only at the beginning of my relationships. I don’t think these are necessarily negative traits to possess, I believe that if you’re trusting of everyone and completely self-less you’ll be taken advantage of. Although you shouldn’t be completely trusting of every single person you meet I also don’t believe