Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Influences on Personality Theme and Variation on Topic 3. Theories of Personality This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any image; any rental, lease, or lending of the program.

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Comparing the Lecture and the Book… Chapter 3: Theories of Personality 1.What are Perspectives on Personality?* 2.What is the…Biological Perspective? 3.…the Intrapsychic Perspective? 4.…the Sociocultural Perspective? 5.…the Temporal-Developmental Perspective? 6.How Does One Cope with Multiple Theories? Lecture 3: Influences on Personality 1.Levels of concepts 2.Biological influences 3.Psychodynamic influences 4.Classic traits (biological) 5.Conditional traits (situational) 6.Developmental influences 7.(If time) Integration

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Why Study Theoretical Perspectives? They collect together theoretical issues concerning personality that have emerged throughout history Understanding them provides a context for what you will encounter. Personality psychologists are informed by them

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Three Levels of Psychological Theory Personality Perspectives – Reflect broad areas of interest such as: –biological underpinnings –psychological processes Personality Theories – Sets of related assumptions about personality such as: –Psychodynamic theory –Humanistic theory Micro-Theories – Specific sets of testable hypotheses –People forget threatening information quickly –People’s traits influence their behavior All Theoretical Levels are Informed by Empirical Findings

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Major Perspectives Concepts of Personality Biological Intra- Psychic Social Develop- mental

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Major Perspectives and Theories Concepts of Personality Biological Psycho- Evolutionary Bio- Social Intra- Psychic Psycho- Dynamic Trait Social Social- Cognitive Cross- Cultural Develop- mental Psycho- Social Humanistic- Positive

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality The Biological Perspective This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any image; any rental, lease, or lending of the program.

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Overview of Biopsychology Concerns biological explanations and substrates for psychological phenomena Major Theories: –Psychoevolutionary –Biopsychological

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Central Ideas of Evolutionary Theory Organisms with certain features better adapt to hostile forces of nature Behaviorally, we all face certain questions: Who is my ally? My foe? Who should I marry? Individuals who answer those questions best are better adapted. Better adaptation  more likely survival and reproduction Genes controlling better adaptation increase in the gene pool.

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality An Example Giraffes once had shorter necks Giraffes with taller necks better found food (high- growing leaves) They are therefore more likely to reproduce

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Second Example Early human’s larger brains led to –Better thinking, communication –greater capacity to acquire resources Larger brains led to greater reproductive success; then –Develop of language –Further selection Brains nearly tripled in size

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Central Ideas of Biopsychology Genetics Influence the Brain The Brain Influences Behavior Through: –Brain Structure –Neurotransmitters –Hormones –Immune Function

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Genetic Influences as Viewed through Twin Studies Relation- ship Mono- zygotic twins Dizygotic twins, siblings Cousins, aunts, uncles Strangers Genetic Material in Common 100%50%25%0%

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Correlations Between Pairs of Individuals for Four Personality Traits Trait Mono. Twins reared together Mono. Twins reared apart Sibs. Reared together Sibs. Reared apart Intell Extrav Neurot Open

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Intrapsychic Perspectives: Psychodynamic and Trait Theory This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any image; any rental, lease, or lending of the program.

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Psychodynamic Theory Views the person as caught between –Biological needs –Requirements of society Individual must compromise between the two

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Threatening ideas are avoided and become unconscious Central Psychodynamic Ideas Central idea(s): –Parts of personality Basic motives These drive thoughts and action –Status of thoughts Some conscious; Some unconscious –Parts dynamically struggle with one another

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Psychodynamic Perspective: Example A key insight: People can become self- aware and change …The person free associates until unconscious motives are uncovered… The person will be mentally healthier by making the unconscious conscious –Irrational behavior (symptoms) will be reduced –Repeated unhelpful patterns will be identified

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Central Ideas of the Trait Approach There are consistencies in personal behavior These consistencies are important parts of personality – referred to as traits Personality is the search for and understanding of traits Key figure: Gordon Allport

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Example: The Big Five Traits NeuroticismExtraversion Agreeableness Openness Conscientiousness

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Traits Can Be Identified Through Factor Analysis Test items (Are you…?)IIIIIIIVV Anxious Distressed Calm Open-minded Strait and narrow Warm-hearted Stand-offish Orderly Spontaneous Outgoing Enjoy solitude Hostile

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Central Social-Cognitive Ideas Personality is made up of cognitive structures Those cognitive structures are learned and influence how a person thinks

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Social Cognitive Approach Conditional Traits Given X, I am aggressive Given Y, I am cooperative

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Conclusions Trait theory focuses on consistent qualities of the individual (traits) Social cognitive theory explains how consistency is modulated by context (if-then) Many of those consistencies are in an individual’s comfort zone; some are not. Psychodynamic theory explains how certain repeated, problematic (uncomfortable) styles, can finally be observed and changed.

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality The Temperal-Development Perspective

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Psycho-Social Stage Theories Children and adults’ personality develop according to patterns such as life stages. Each stage or pattern involves the achievement of certain goals Erik Erikson, for example, described eight stages of growth.

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Humanistic Theory: Central Ideas The person is motivated to grow in a healthy fashion The person develops toward self- actualization Key figures: Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow Self- Actualization Esteem Needs Belonging Needs Safety Needs Physiological Needs

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Humanistic Perspective Example: …A person given a warm, unconditionally accepting environment, will learn about their real needs and achieve mental health

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Integrating Perspectives

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Problem: Can the Perspectives be Integrated? Is one theory correct? –Comparative analyses are challenging –No one theory or perspective seems to stand out Should you commit to one? –The language of a theory can put up artificial barriers –Commitment to one is limiting

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality The Systems Approach Here The different perspectives can be translated into a common language. –Freud’s (conscious portion of the) ego (psychdynamic) –Allport’s proprium (trait theory) –James’ self as knower (general psychology) –(Multiple authors) self control (social-cognitive) All describe a conscious control center of personality.

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality The Systems Approach Here The different perspectives share concerns that can be described by some basic topics: –What is personality? –What are its parts? –What is its organization? –How does it develop? Theories are then drawn upon to answer questions about these topics, as needed.

Influences on Personality Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality ~end~ This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any image; any rental, lease, or lending of the program.