MODULE 9.1 GORDON ALLPORT: PSYCHOLOGY OF THE INDIVIDUAL

Gordon Allport

In his theory, he emphasized uniqueness of the individual

morphogenic science

it is the study of individual that allport used in understanding human personality

nomothetic methods

it is a method that allport contrasted in studying personality

broad, comprehensive theory

a kind of theory that Allport prefers, even if it does not generate many testable hypotheses

What is personality?

What is the role of conscious motivation in personality theory?

What are the characteristics of a psychologically healthy person?

allport's approach to personality theory answers these three interrelated questions

greek, latin, and etruscan language

language origins of persona that allport traced before defining personality

49 definitions

number of definitions of personality from various fields that allport traced before offering his own

Personality (1937)

- dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustments to his environment.

Personality (1961)

- refined it to "determine his characteristic behavior and thought," emphasizing that personality is not just about adapting but also shaping the environment.

conscious motivation

Healthy adults are generally aware of what they are doing and their reasons for doing it.

proactive

Psychologically mature people are _______, not just reacting to stimuli but actively shaping and influencing their environment.

flexible and autonomous

Mature personalities are guided by conscious motives, making them more ____________ and __________ than those driven by unconscious childhood influences. They often have trauma free childhoods but may still face struggles later.

extension of the sense of self

warm relation of self to others

emotional security and acceptance

possess a realistic perception of their environment

insight and humor

unifying philosophy of life

Six Criteria for a Mature Personality

extension of the sense of self

- Not self-centered and is able to relate themselves to situations that do not center to them

warm relating of self to others

- capacity of loving others intimately and compassionately

Emotional security or self-acceptance

- Accepting oneself for who they are

- Possess emotional poise

- Frustrations and inconveniences are part of life

possess a realistic perception of their environment

- They are problem oriented rather than self-centered, and they are in touch with the world as most others see it

insight and humor

Mature people know themselves and, therefore, have no need to attribute their own mistakes and weaknesses to others.

a unifying philosophy of life

- having a clear view of the purpose of life

- has a well-developed conscience and, quite likely, a strong desire to serve others.

personality traits

it is considered to be predispositions to respond, in the same or a similar manner, to different kinds of stimuli.

traits

they are consistent and enduring ways of reacting to our environment.

Traits are real and exist within each of us

traits determine or cause behavior

traits can be demonstrated empirically

traits are interrelated

traits vary with situation

characteristic of traits

Traits are real and exist within each of us

- According to Allport, traits are not abstract concepts but real entities that exist within individuals. They can be observed through consistent patterns of behavior.

Traits determine or cause behavior

- Traits direct and influence how individuals behave in particular situations.

traits can be demonstrated empirically

- Traits can be measured and studied scientifically through observation and assessment of behavior.

traits are interrelated

- Traits are not entirely independent of one another. They often overlap, and different traits may interact to influence behavior in complex ways.

traits vary with situation

- While traits are stable over time, they can evolve. This means that although a person's core traits remain relatively constant, life experiences can lead to changes in their intensity or manifestation

individual traits

common traits

what are the two types of traits according to Allport?

individual Traits

· unique to a person and define his or her character.

personal dispositions

relabeled term of individual traits

common traits

personality traits that are shared by most members of a particular culture

social, environmental, cultural

common traits are likely to changer over time due to these three influences

traits

relabeled term of common traits

cardinal traits

central traits

secondary traits

what are the levels of personal dispositions?

cardinal traits

Allport's term to describe personality traits that dominate an individual's life, such as passion to serve others or to accumulate wealth

central trait

a general characteristic that shapes much of our behavior (according to Allport)

secondary traits

The least important traits, which a person may display inconspicuously and inconsistently.

proprium

those behaviors and characteristics that people regard as warm, central, and important in their lives.

basic drives and needs

tribal customs

habitual behaviors

nonpropriate behaviors

present motivation

Allport emphasized that personality theories should focus on _____________ rather than past events.

current state

He believed that a person's ________________ is what truly matters, not past experiences like childhood crises.

functional autonomy

behavior continues despite satisfaction of the drive that originally created the behavior

perseverative functional autonomy

-Related to low-level and routine behaviors

-Behaviors continue or persevere on their own without any external reward

propriate functional autonomy

the level of functional autonomy that relates to our values, self-image, and lifestyle