Formal and Informal Approaches to Personality

Personality Personality = a person’s collective thoughts, emotions, and behaviors Personality patterns often develop Assessing personality is complicated: different theories to explain why we are who we are

Formal Approaches to Personality (Not all Models/Theories Presented)

Behavioral Theory A person behaves in a certain way based upon experiences/stimuli Punishment/negative consequences will reduce behavior Reward/positive consequences will increase behavior Therefore, behavior is reinforced by the environment; it is learned

Famous Behaviorists Ivan Pavlov John Watson B.F. Skinner Al Bandura Classical conditioning on The Office John Watson B.F. Skinner Operant conditioning on Big Bang Theory Al Bandura

Humanistic Theory Behavior is motivated by desire for personal growth/achievement Stages in such growth and achievement are not dependent upon age Emphasizes the whole person and the importance of each subjective experience People are basically good

Example of Humanistic Theory Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (SimplyPsychology.com, original hierarchy)

Developmental Theory Life contains specific developmental stages Personality is developed based upon progression through these stages Erikson’s eight lifespan stages Jean Piaget’s cognitive development stages Conservation

Theory Combination Developmental, humanistic, behavioral Mamie Phipps Clark, Kenneth Clark doll experiments (YouTube)

Psychoanalytic Theory Pioneered by Sigmund Freud, psychoanalysis = “analyzing the psyche” Freud’s theory compared to an “iceberg” Freud felt the sum of all mental activity was divided into three parts Id Ego Superego

The “id” An unconscious component of the psyche Id unconcerned about reality The id seeks immediate pleasure and satisfaction of instinctual drives based on biological needs libido aggression

The “superego” Serves as a person’s conscience Serves as a person’s moral standards Operates at various levels of consciousness within the psyche Superego unconcerned about reality Commands that sexual and aggressive impulses be stifled Demands that moral goals be favored

The “ego” Largely conscious part of the psyche, though also operates at other levels Operates per the reality principle Ego tries to: satisfy the id avoid guilt or remorse experienced through the superego incorporate reality into its decision Anxiety results when the ego loses its battle

Informal Approaches to Personality

Personality Types Type A, B, C personalities Each personality type is represented by a group of behavioral characteristics The same characteristics occur across many situations An individual who demonstrates many “C” characteristics would be labeled a “Type C personality”

Type A Personality Anger Impatience Hostility Aggression Need for control Hurried Unaware of environment and others’ needs

Type A Personality (continued) Competitive Increased risk for cardiovascular disease Especially anger, hostility, aggression Guilt with Relaxing Activities

Assess Your Type A Tendencies

Type B Personality Patience Much less time urgency Relaxation without guilt “Laid back”

Type C Personality Over years, more than one “Type C” personality has been described Most common Type C reference Introverted, keeps to him- or herself If wronged, may not stand up for him- or herself Conforming Cancer prone

Personality Traits Trait theories are quite sophisticated Trait: characteristic of human behavior or attitude Examples: friendliness, sensitivity, trust, delay of gratification/self-control (the Marshmallow Experiment) Cattell, Eysenck, Allport

Personality Temperaments Temperaments are similar to traits, though there are generally fewer of them Example: 16 personality temperaments Keirsey Temperament Sorter

Other Personality Measures Optimism vs. Pessimism Perception of a situation An optimist will view the situation in a positive manner A pessimist will view same situation negatively Example? Relationship between pessimism and mortality for those under 60 years of age

Other Personality Measures (continued) External vs. Internal Locus of Control External: Individual feels he/she has little control over events Internal: Individual feels he/she has great control over events Examples of each? Which individual is considered “healthiest?”

Advantages and Limitations of Informal Approaches to Personality?