Introduction to Personality Theory

Study Notes

Personality is a unique blend of characteristics, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make each individual distinct.
It arises from within and remains consistent throughout life.

Consistency: People exhibit predictable and regular behaviors, demonstrating similar responses across diverse situations.
Psychological and physiological traits: Personality, while a psychological construct, is influenced by biological processes and needs.
Impact on behaviors and actions: Personality shapes how we interact with our environment and influences our actions.
Multiple expressions: Personality manifests not only in behavior but also in thoughts, feelings, relationships, and social interactions.

Hippocrates: The ancient physician categorized people into four distinct personality types: Melancholic (sad), Sanguine (enthusiastic), Choleric (active), and Phlegmatic (calm).
Plato: According to Plato, the soul has three parts: an appetitive part (basic needs like food and drink), a spirited part (disciplines the other two parts), and a rational part (reasoning, problem solving, and control over the appetitive part).

Trait Theories: These theories propose that individuals possess fundamental personality traits that differ in strength and intensity, explaining personality differences.
Behavioral Theories: Emphasize the role of learning and environmental influences in shaping personality.
Humanist Theories: Focus on individual growth, self-actualization, and the pursuit of meaning in life.
Psychodynamic Theories: Explore the unconscious mind and its impact on personality development and behavior.

The trait theory suggests that personality differences are rooted in the strength and intensity of individuals' fundamental traits.
Trait theorists primarily focus on measuring traits, which are defined as habitual patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion.

Cattell believed personality traits are enduring characteristics that influence behavior throughout life (R = f(S × P)).
Common Traits: These are traits measurable for all people using standardized assessments, with individuals differing in degree rather than type (e.g., openness, extroversion, neuroticism, intelligence).
Unique Traits: Highly specific traits that distinguish one individual from another.
Surface Traits: Clearly visible and easily recognizable by others (e.g., friendliness).
Source Traits: Less noticeable traits that underlie multiple surface traits and represent fundamental personality dimensions.

Eysenck defined traits as theoretical constructs derived from observed relationships between various habitual responses.
Eysenck identified three personality dimensions:
- Extraversion-Introversion: Characterized by sociability, positive affect, and differences in cortical stimulation. Extraverts seek stimulation while introverts avoid overstimulation.
- Neuroticism: Related to emotional stability and reactivity.
- Psychoticism: Reflects a tendency towards impulsivity, non-conforming behavior, and a detachment from social norms.