Gordon Allport

Gordon Allport

Psychologist emphasizing individual uniqueness.

Morphogenic method

Data collection focused on single individuals.

Eclectic approach

Combining theories from various psychologists.

Dynamic organization

Integration of personality aspects subject to change.

Psychophysical

Importance of psychological and physical personality aspects.

Characteristic

Unique traits marked by individual engraving.

Behavior and thought

Actions and mental processes of an individual.

Conscious motivation

Awareness of actions and reasons behind them.

Unconscious processes

Hidden impulses influencing behavior and drives.

Proactive behavior

Acting consciously to influence environment positively.

Mature personality

Characterized by flexibility and autonomous motivation.

Extension of self

Involvement in activities beyond self-centeredness.

Warm relating

Capacity for intimate and compassionate relationships.

Healthy adult characteristics

Awareness, proactive, and trauma-free childhood.

Compulsive behaviors

Automatic actions driven by unconscious tendencies.

Social interest

Engagement in community and family activities.

Innovative action

Creating new responses to environmental stimuli.

Self-centeredness

Focus solely on oneself, lacking broader interests.

Trauma-free childhood

Background contributing to psychological maturity.

Unique engraving

Distinctive marking of individual characteristics.

Integration

Combining various personality aspects into a whole.

Behavioral patterns

Consistent ways individuals act in situations.

Psychological maturity

Ability to respond flexibly to life challenges.

Emotional Security

Self-acceptance and emotional poise in individuals.

Realistic Perception

Awareness of the world as others see it.

Insight

Understanding oneself without projecting faults onto others.

Humor

Nonhostile ability to laugh at oneself.

Self-objectification

Seeing oneself objectively without pretense.

Unifying Philosophy of Life

Clear understanding of life's purpose.

Common Traits

General characteristics shared by many individuals.

Personal Dispositions

Unique characteristics studied in individuals.

Cardinal Disposition

Dominant traits central to a person's life.

Central Dispositions

Prominent traits agreed upon by acquaintances.

Secondary Dispositions

Less noticeable traits influencing specific behaviors.

Motivational Dispositions

Dispositions driven by basic needs and drives.

Stylistic Dispositions

Less intense traits guiding behavior and expression.

Proprium

Aspects of life important for self-identity.

Nonpropriate Behaviors

Actions motivated by basic drives and needs.

Tribal Customs

Automatic habitual behaviors within a culture.

Peripheral Motives

Motives that reduce basic needs.

Frustrations

Recognized inconveniences as part of living.

Emotional Poise

Stability in emotions during unexpected events.

Problem Orientation

Focus on solutions rather than problems.

Absurdities in Life

Recognition of life's incongruities without denial.

Self-acceptance

Acknowledgment and acceptance of one's true self.

Propriate Strivings

Maintain tension and disequilibrium for growth.

Allport's Belief

People shape their environment and react to it.

Homeostatic Theories

Motivation primarily reduces tension to achieve equilibrium.

Proactive Behavior

Conscious actions promoting growth and psychological health.

Comprehensive Theory

Includes both reactive and proactive motivational theories.

Functional Autonomy

Motives independent from original reasons for behavior.

Contemporaneity of Motives

Past influences only matter if they affect present motivation.

Diversity of Motives

Motivation cannot be reduced to a single drive.

Dynamic Cognitive Processes

Long-range intentions influence current motivations.

Concrete Uniqueness of Motives

Actual motivations of individuals are unique and specific.

Self-Sustaining Motives

Motives that persist independently from original motivations.

Perseverative Functional Autonomy

Influences future experiences despite original motive's absence.

Propriate Functional Autonomy

Motives related to core personality and interests.

Example of Study Preference

Choosing study over social activities for academic goals.

Example of Bowling Motivation

Desire to improve bowling for its own sake.

Gardening Motivation

Interest in gardening evolves beyond initial hunger drive.

Alcohol Addiction Example

Continued drinking despite lack of physiological hunger.

Job Passion Development

Interest in work grows beyond initial financial need.

Criterion for Functional Autonomy

Behavior persists even as motivation evolves.

Motivation Types

Adult motivations differ from children's and neurotics'.