Major Personality Theories

1. Summarize the key elements of the major personality theories (e.g. type and trait theories, psychodynamic theories, humanistic theories, etc.) discussed in the text.

Every individual has a specific set of characteristics that govern their actions. One’s personality will most often dictate what they will do in a given situation Psychologist have even attempted to determine categories of personalities which each person will fit in. Individual personality types are separated by qualitative differences towards patterns of behaviors. Some of these differences are ones such as firstborn, middle child, etc. There are also trait theories which also seek to predetermine an individual’s actions. A trait is an enduring personal quality or attributes that influences behavior across situations. Both trait and type theories are not without their scrutiny but they do seek to offer a categorized and distinct explanation of our behaviors.

Type theories:

Psychodynamic Theories: Theory of personality that assumes that personality and behavior is motivated and shaped by inner forces. Freud was the father of the theories that ruled the psychodynamic teachings. His theories centered on the mind and the deep thoughts that took place and manifested themselves. Later contributors to these theories challenged Freud’s postulations and expanded on his thoughts and in some cases even rejected some of his theories. Some of the key contributors who offered significant expansion to Freud’s thoughts were Alfred Adler, Karen Horney, and Carl Jung.

Libido: The psychic energy that drives individuals toward sensual pleasures of all types, especially sexual ones.

Shyness: An individual’s discomfort and/or inhibition in interpersonal situations that interferes with pursing an interpersonal professional goal. (415, Gerrig, Zambrano)

Fixation: A state in which a person remains attached to objects or activities more appropriate for an earlier stage of psychosexual development (415, Gerrig, Zambrano)

Psychic determination: The assumption that mental and behavioral reactions are determined by previous experiences. (416, Gerrig, Zambrano)

Unconscious: The domain of the psyche that stores repressed urges and primitive impulses. (416, Gerrig, Zambrano)

Humanistic Theories: These theories are based on the integrity of an individual’s personal and conscience experience and growth potential. Self-actualization is one of the key features in humanistic theory and refers to a person’s constant drive to realize his or her potential developing the inherent talents and capabilities to achieve them.

Unconditional positive regard: Complete love and acceptance of an individual by another person, such as a parent for a child, with no conditions attached. (420, Gerrig, Zambrano)

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