1. Basic Questions in Personality Theory
Is personality innate or learned?
Is personality consistent over time? (when do we become who we are?)
Is personality consistent across situations?
Is human nature essentially good or evil?
Do we have free will?

2. THEORY
1. Describe
2. Explain
3. Predict

3. A Good Theory 1. Coherent 2. Testable
3. Parsimonious but not too Narrow
4. Interesting

4. Allport’s definition of Personality
“Personality is a dynamic organization inside a person of psychophysical systems that creates a person’s characteristic patterns of behavior, thought and feeling.”

5. What does this mean? Suggests that Personality is: psychological
enduring
general