Personality Theories Overview

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Many psychologists throughout many years present theoretical approaches in an attempt to understand personality. Hans Eysenck’s approach of personality differed from that of Sigmund Freud and his psychoanalytical theory of personality. Eysenck’s theory of personality relies on the scientific basis of biology in explaining human personality. Although Freud’s theories are intriguing to an open mind, Eysenck’s approach made measurable scientific sense. He relied on the use of trait and factor analysis, which is a statistical method. Freud relied on faith and his personal opinions based on observational research to reach the assumptions that set forth his theories (Feist & Feist, 2009). Eysenck and Freud did not agree on anything about understanding how and why the mind operates the way, it does. Eysenck used mathematical steps in his research. In factor analysis, the experimenter begins making specific observations of a large number of people. The information is then quantified by calculating the correlation coefficient between the variables of the experiment. The number will depend on the amount of people who participate in the study. The mathematical deductive process continues until the figures are broken down into smaller, more basic dimensions called traits existing within the factors that represent a large group of closely related variables (Feist & Feist, 2009). The purpose of factor analysis is to find simple relationship patterns among mathematically examined variables (Buchanan, 2011). However, Freud approached understanding personality with an ever so fascinating perspective. A perspective that remains controversial even after his death. Freud did not use measurable scientific approaches to reach his conclusions; he us... ... middle of paper ... ...gard to their theories of human life. Eysenck went to the extent of writing a book discrediting Freud’s research. Freud believed in the unconscious mind have dominance over the conscious mind. He expressed that with his scenarios of repressed feelings of sexual desires and aggression. Eysenck was sure an individual is in control of his actions at all times. However, he did accept unconscious abilities to perform at certain levels because of self-confidence, which he also attributed to genetics (Feist & Feist, 2009). The two men did however; share one common ground, the desire to understand how the mind works. Works Cited Buchanan, R. D. (2011). Research report: Doing a biography of Hans J. Eysenck. History Of Psychology, 14(2), 210-213. doi:10.1037/a0023481b Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2009). Theories of Personality (7th ed.). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill.

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