chapter 7 Gordon Allport

what is personality to Allport?

dynamic organization with an individual of those psychophysical systems

Determines Characteristic behavior, and thought

What did Albert mean by saying we have two personalities?

no continuum of personality between childhood and adulthood, They are two different things

Adult personality is not constrained by early experiences. It does not reflect it.

Rule of heredity and genes

provides raw materials building blocks

Shaped expanded, or limited by Environmental conditions

emphasis on uniqueness through genetic combinations

Example so people are more athletic by genetics, but you can work to be athletic

what are traits?

distinguishing characteristics that guide behavior

measured on a scale

Subject to social, environmental and cultural influences

What is the difference between individual and common traits?

individual traits.

Unique and defines the persons character relabeled as personal dispositions

Common Treats.

Not everyone has them, but the culture has it varies across cultures influenced by time, society, and environment

What are some characteristics of traits?

Real and existent with each person they aren’t just labels

Determine or caused behavior

Overlap with other traits, example being aggressive and likes to talk a lot

wary within the situation example very neat in the situation, but disorganized in another

Cardinal traits

most pervasive and powerful

Really defined you in one way

not everyone has one

Central traits

outstanding traits that describe behavior

5 to 10 traits that best describe you

Example if you ask a friend to describe you, these these are the traits they would say

Secondary traits

Inconspicuously and inconsistently

Less important

Example you may have a mild preference for Indian food doesn’t define you but may impact behavior

Functional autonomy of motives

motives and a normal mature adult or independent of childhood experiences

Example parent, tell you to play piano you grew up and still play piano can make own decisions, but still plays piano motivation, switches

Preservative, functional autonomy

related to low level and routine behaviors. Example, Brushing your teeth every night

propriate Functional autonomy

what Is proprium

Things you do because they are important to who you are

Related to one’s values, self image in lifestyle

proprium What is the ego or SELF

organizing propriate functioning 3 Principles

organizing Energy level- Explains how new motives are acquired when motivated to learn something new

Mastery And Competence- Level in which one chooses to satisfy motives. When motivated to learn something new, you are motivated to be good at it, Master it

propriate Pattern - Strive for consistency in integration of the personality, tries to be consistent

stages of the development of the proprium

What happens at each stage?

bodily self. Become aware of their own existence

Self identity. Children realize that their identity remains intact. They are still them knows their name.

Self esteem. Learn to take pride in their Accomplishments

Extension of self. Children come to recognize the objects and people that are part of their own world example, My house, my parents

Self image. Children develop actual and idealized images of themselves become aware of satisfying parental expectations to define themselves in own way.

Self as a rational coper. Begin to apply reason and logic to the solution of everyday problems think logically

propriate, striving. During adolescence, you formulate long range, goals, and plans. Striving for the future

Adulthood. Mature adults are independent of childhood motives

Characteristics of a healthy adult

extend sense of self to people and activities beyond the self. The people who interact with can show who you are

Relates warm to others.

One self acceptance helps them achieve emotional security. Accepts flaws and OK with themselves.

Holds realistic perception, develops personal skills, and commits to a type of work.

Has a sense of humor and self insight

Subscribed to a unifying philosophy. Wholeness that helps motivate towards future goals

Alport personal document technique

Study of a persons, written or spoken records, relied heavily on personal documents

Study values objective self report assessment test what are your personal values

The category values

Theoretical. pursuit of the truth

Economic. Useful and practical.

Aesthetic. Artistic expression Something pretty

Social. Relationships with others.

Political. Attaining power.

Religious. Understand universe on more spiritual side.

Research on Alport theory

Focus open and electic approach wasn’t doing one technique

Expressive behavior don’t have a purpose or solve a problem did a lot of research on this.

Coping behavior you were doing this for purpose to solve a problem

Cultural differences( They typically are universal, but some expressions are culturally different )and facial expressions(Review about , When happy do you smile bigger hide it)

Computer Recognition of facial expressions. People are better at recognizing rather than Computers

Major criticisms

difficult to study by experimental Method

Questions about functional autonomy. Parent made you play piano as a child but as an adult they continue because they enjoy playing it

Difficult to generalize from one person to another

Major contributions

influence, humanistic theories With hopeful philosophy

Emphasize the role of genetic factors and trait on personality