Gordon Willard Allport By: Courtney Lancaster, Kayla Tanguay & Melissa Harris

Outline Allport’s Biography Allport’s Theory Grey’s Anatomy George O’Malley Meredith Grey Isobel “Izzie” Stevens Conclusions/ Questions Further Directions

Biography Born November 11, 1897 in Indiana. Fourth and youngest son. Father was a physician who turned family home into a clinic. Mother was a former school teacher, who placed a heavy emphasis on religion. 1915 attend Harvard University. 1919 received a BA in philosophy and economics.

Biography con’t … Allport went to Turkey to teach for a year, later went to Vienna and met Sigmund Freud. Spent two years in Europe studying under various great psychologists. 1925 married Ada Lufkin Gould and later has a son Robert (who became a pediatrician). 1939 elected President of the American Psychological Association (APA). Died of lung cancer October 9, 1967.

What is Personality? Over this career as a psychologist Allport created a total of 50 definitions of personality, his final definition was: “The dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his characteristic behaviour and thought”.

Allport’s Theory Gordon Allport’s theory focused on the uniqueness of the individual, and the importance of present context, as opposed to past history, for understanding the personality.

Motivation Opportunistic Functioning: Biological survival needs, relatively unimportant. Propriate Functioning: Manner expressive of the self characterized as proactive, future orientated and psychological. Functional Autonomy: Two different types; 1. Preservative functional autonomy: habits (behaviours that no longer serve their original purpose). 2. Propriate functional autonomy: value (more self directed that habits).

The Proprium The proprium is defined as those characteristics that people see as particularly their own and that are regarded as warm, central and important. Non propriate behaviours include; 1. basic drives and needs, 2. tribal customs (ie, wearing clothes) and 3. habitual behaviour that are preformed automatically (ie, brushing one’s teeth).

The Seven Functions of Proprium: Sense of Body (0- 2 years): has boundaries that pain and injury, touch and movement make us aware of. Self Identity (0-2 years): Our understanding of our past, present and future as individuals, separate from others. Self Esteem (2-4 years): Our value to others and ourselves. Self Extension (4-6 years): Our identity related to other people and the context in which we live.

Self Image (4-6 years): Your feelings on how others see you (ie, social esteem/ status and sexual identity) Rational Coping (6-12 years): Our ability to deal with life’s problem rationally and effectively. Propriate Striving (12+ years): Sense of direction or purpose, goals, the ability to say that I am the proprietor of my life, the owner and the driver. Note: Allport’s theory although similar to Freud’s is not a stage theory, just a description of the way people develop.

Personal Dispositions Personal Dispositions: Permit researchers to study a single individual; defined as a generalized neuropsychic structure peculiar to the individual. Three levels to personal disposition: Cardinal Dispositions: Personal disposition so dominating it cannot be hidden (such as Scrooge (greed), Mother Teresa (religious service)). Most people do not have a cardinal disposition. Central Dispositions: 5-10 personal traits around which a person’s life focuses, building blocks of personality. Secondary Dispositions: personal traits that are less obvious that only a close friend may know.

Characteristics of Maturity Allport designed six criteria for the mature personality: Extension of the sense of self: involvement Warm relating of self to others: trust, empathy, tolerance, etc. Emotional security or self-acceptance: acceptance of oneself Realistic perception of environment: (as opposed to defensiveness)

Characteristics of Maturity con’t … Insight and humor: self-insight into one’s own behaviour; ability to laugh at oneself Unifying philosophy of life: personalized conscience, religious sentiment, etc. Mature people tend to have a trauma-free childhood, although later years may have conflict and suffering. Age is not a requisite for maturity, but healthy people become more mature as they get older.

Grey’s Anatomy

George O’Malley Surgical Intern at Seattle Grace Hospital Has a close knit, middle income family Youngest of three boys Disinterested in families hobbies Father dies in hospital from cancer Currently separated from his wife and pursuing a relationship with Izzie Stevens.

George O’Malley Seven Functions of Proprium: Sense of Body: Understands what pain is, knows the pain of love. Self Identity: Understands past, present and future as an individual. Self Esteem Self Extension: Never felt apart of his family, develops this as an intern. Self Image: Seen as weak by family and friends. Rational Coping: Tends to avoid conflict and confrontation . Propriate Striving: Knows what he wants in life and how to achieve it.

George O’Mally Personal Disposition: Cardinal Disposition: Does not have one. Central Disposition: shy, easygoing, passionate, caring, creative, people pleaser. Secondary Disposition: vulnerable, pushover.

George O’Malley Psychological Maturity (6 characteristics): Extension of sense of self: displays unselfish interest in wellbeing of others. Realistic perception of environment: Displays selflessness and accepts reality.

Meredith Grey Surgical Resident at Seattle Grace Hospital Only child of Ellis Grey, a world renowned surgeon. Had a relationship with Derek Shepherd while he was married. Almost dies after a bomb and drowning incident. Best friends with Christina Yang, a fellow surgical resident.

Meredith Grey Seven Functions of Proprium: Sense of Body: Not fully aware of herself Self Identity: Tries to block her past by not allowing it to interfere with the future. Self Esteem: Believes she’s not good enough Self Extension: Does not feel she belongs with family, develops feelings of belongingness with Christina. Self Image: Believes others see her as promiscuous and only successful based on who she knows. Rational Coping: Has few coping mechanisms when dealing with problems. Propriate Striving: Has little sense of direction.

Meredith Grey Personal Disposition: Cardinal Disposition: Does not have one. Central Disposition: Mellow, quiet, seeks gratification, nervous, stubborn. Secondary Disposition: Depressed, witty, often confused.

Meredith Grey Psychological Maturity (6 characteristics): Extension of sense of self: displays unselfish interest in wellbeing of others. Realistic perception of environment: Displays selflessness and accepts reality. Insight and humor: ability to laugh at herself.

Isobel “Izzie” Stevens Grew up in a trailer park with a mother who was unsupportive emotionally and financially. Had a daughter at 16 who she gave up for adoption. Leaves home at 18 Begins modeling to pay for medical school Was engaged to a patient, Denny, who died of heart complications. Surgical Resident at Seattle Grace Is currently involved with George O’Malley.

Isobel “Izzie” Stevens Seven Functions of Proprium: Sense of Body: Has a clear understanding of death and pain. Self Identity: Believes she is in control of her past and future. Self Esteem: Has clear ideals of how she sees herself and how others see her. Self Extension: Identifies with the group as being a surgeon, a friend, etc. Self Image: Believes other see her as less competent. Rational Coping: Does not have a sense of rational coping Propriate Striving: Loses senses of self, but regains it.

Isobel “Izzie” Stevens Personal Disposition: Cardinal Disposition: Has a disposition towards helping others at any sacrifice. Central Disposition: Caring, dedicated, smart, funny, honest. Secondary Disposition: Unsure of herself (underestimates abilities).

Isobel “Izzie” Stevens Psychological Maturity (6 characteristics): Extension of sense of self: displays unselfish interest in wellbeing of others. Warm relating of self to others: capacity to love others in an intimate and compassionate manner. Emotional security or self-acceptance: Displays emotional security, does not get upset when things don’t go as planned. Realistic perception of environment: Displays selflessness and accepts reality. Unifying philosophy of life: strong desire to serve others, displays hope.