THEORIES OF PERSONALITY

THEORIES OF PERSONALITY
 THEORIES OF PERSONALITY
Course A survey of the major theories of personality and te theoretical and practical issues involved in the scientific study and
understanding of personality formation dynamics. This course is intended to provide a basic introduction to several
Description theories of personality. The focus will be on the historical contribution of the major traditions in theories of personality
and personality development. Primary consideration will thus be given to the review and evaluation of the major formal
theories of personality and the implication of those theories for practical and applied areas.
References:
• Theories of Personality (10th Edition) by Gregory Feist and Tomi-Ann Roberts and
Jess Feist
 Theories of Personality by Calvin S. Hall,Gardner Lindzey,John B. Campbell
 Theories of Personality by David Lester
 Theories Personality by RYCKMAN
 Theories of Personality by Susan C. Cloninger
 An Introduction to Theories of Personality by Robert Ewen B
 Major Theories of Personality Disorder by Mark F. Lenzenweger, John F. Clarkin
 Theories of Personality by Duane Schultz,Sydney Schultz
OVERVIEW
• Theories of Personality
• Major subject – according to CMO
no. 34, series 2017
• Board course – based on RA 10069
– together with Abnormal
Psychology, Industrial-
Organizational Psychology,
Psychological Testing &
Assessment
Part I: Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction to Personality Theory
Part II: Psychodynamic Theories
Chapter 2: Freud: Psychoanalysis
Chapter 3: Adler: Individual Psychology
Chapter 4: Jung: Analytical Psychology
Chapter 5: Klein: Object Relations Theory
Chapter 6: Horney: Psychoanalytic Social Theory
Chapter 7: Erikson: Post-Freudian Theory
Chapter 8: Fromm: Humanistic Psychoanalysis
Part III: Humanistic/Existential Theories
Chapter 9: Maslow: Holistic-Dynamic Theory
Chapter 10: Rogers: Person-Centered Theory
Chapter 11: May: Existential Psychology
Part IV: Dispositional Theories
Chapter 12: Allport: Psychology of the Individual
Chapter 13: McCrae and Costa’s Five-Factor Trait Theory
Part V: Biological/Evolutionary Theories
Chapter 14: Eysenck’s Biologically Based Factor Theory
Chapter 15: Buss: Evolutionary Theory of Personality
Part VI: Learning-Cognitive Theories
Chapter 16: Skinner: Behavioral Analysis
Chapter 17: Bandura: Social Cognitive Theory
Chapter 18: Rotter and Mischel: Cognitive Social Learning Theory
Chapter 19: Kelly: Psychology of Personal Constructs
INTRODUCTION TO PERSONALITY
THEORY
Chapter 1
WHAT IS PERSONALITY?
• Most agree that the word “personality” originated from the
Latin persona, which referred to a theatrical mask worn by
Roman actors in Greek dramas.
• When psychologists use the term “personality,” they are
referring to something mre than the role people play.
• Although no single definition is acceptable to all personality
theorists, we can say that personality is a pattern of
relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that
give both consistency and individuality to a person’s
behavior.
• “Personality is the dynamic organization within the individuals of those
psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustments to his
environments”. (Gordon Allport)
• “Personality is a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics
that give both consistency and individuality to a person’s behavior.” (Feist and
Feist)
• “The integration of the socio-psychological behavior of the human being,
represented by habits of action and feeling, attitudes and opinions.” (Ogburn)
• “The term personality refers to the habits, attitudes and other social traits that are
characteristic of a given individual’s behavior”. Lawrence A. Pewin said,
“Personality represents those structural and dynamic properties of an individual or
individuals as they reflect themselves in characteristic responses to situations”.
(Lundberg and others)
• Personality is a sum total of ways in which an individual reacts and interacts with
others. It is individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and
behaving. It is the supreme realization of the innate habit of a living being.
Personality: The Study of Individuals

Definition of Personality

The underlying causes within

the person of individual behavior
and experience
 Definition of personality

•Description
•Dynamics
•Development
Description of Personality

TYPES:
• Old approach
• Categories
• Hippocrates Optimistic, Melancholic, Irritable, Apathetic
TRAITS
• Varies from one person to another
• Is more focued
• The numbers are astonishing
FACTORS
• Are broader than traits
• They are quantitative
 Personality Dynamics
Motivations for Behavior

 ADAPTATION AND
ADJUSTMENT  How do people adapt to life’s demands?
 Cognitive Processes  How does a mentally healthy person act?
 Culture  What behaviors or thoughts are unhealthy?
 Personality Dynamics

 Adaptation and Adjustment  Do our thoughts affect our personality?

 COGNITIVE PROCESSES  What kinds of thoughts are important
for personality?
 Culture
 Do unconscious processes influence us?
 Personality Dynamics

 Adaptation and Adjustment  How does culture influence our

functioning?
 Cognitive Processes
 Does culture affect us by its expectations for
 CULTURE men and women? For different classes?
 Personality Development

 BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES  How do biological processes affect

 Experience in Childhood and personality?
Adulthood  Is personality inherited?
 Personality Development

 Biological Influences  What do children learn that matters for

 EXPERIENCE IN personality?
CHILDHOOD AND  Does childhood experience determine adult
ADULTHOOD personality?
 Do adults change? Or has personality been
determined earlier?
Why Study Personality?
Psychology is the study of thoughts, emotions, and behavior, and their interaction with each other and the world. There are five basic goals of
psychology:

 Describe – The first goal is to observe behavior and describe, often in minute detail, what was
observed as objectively as possible

 Explain – While descriptions come from observable data, psychologists must go beyond what is
obvious and explain their observations. In other words, why did the subject do what he or she did?

 Predict – Once we know what happens, and why it happens, we can begin to speculate what will
happen in the future. There’s an old saying, which very often holds true: “the best predictor of
future behavior is past behavior.”

 Control – Once we know what happens, why it happens and what is likely to happen in the future,
we can excerpt control over it. In other words, if we know you choose abusive partners because
your father was abusive, we can assume you will choose another abusive partner, and can
therefore intervene to change this negative behavior.

 Improve – Not only do psychologists attempt to control behavior, they want to do so in a positive
manner, they want to improve a person’s life, not make it worse. This is not always the case, but it
should always be the intention.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF PERSONALITY
Traits and patterns of thought and emotion play important roles as well as the following
fundamental characteristics of personality:
Consistency: There is generally a recognizable order and regularity to behaviors.
Essentially, people act in the same ways or similar ways in a variety of situations.
Psychological and physiological: Personality is a psychological construct, but research
suggests that it is also influenced by biological processes and needs.
Behaviors and actions: Personality not only influences how we move and respond in
our environment, but it also causes us to act in certain ways.
Multiple expressions: Personality is displayed in more than just behavior. It can also
be seen in our thoughts, feelings, close relationships, and other social interactions.
CHARACTERISTICS OR FEATURES IN COMMON.
Personality is something which is unique in each individual.
Personality refers particularly to the persistent qualities of an individual.
Personality represents a dynamic orientation of an organism to the environment.
Personality is greatly influenced by social interactions.
Personality represents a unique organization of persistent dynamic and social
predisposition.
Consistency.
Psychological and physiological.
It impacts behaviors and actions.
Multiple expressions.
WHAT IS A THEORY?
• A theory presents a concept or idea that is testable. Scientists can test the
theory through empirical research and gather evidence that supports or
refutes it.
• A theory is not merely a guess. A theory is based on a hypothesis that is
backed by evidence. A theory is a fact-based framework for describing a
phenomenon.
• A theory is a model of reality that helps us to understand, explain, predict,
and control that reality.
• In the study of personality, these models are usually verbal. Every now and
then, someone comes up with a graphic model, with symbolic illustrations,
or a mathematical model, or even a computer model. But words are the
basic form.
A scientific theory is a set of
related assumptions that’s allows
scientists to use logical deductive
reasoning to formulate testable
hypothesis. This definition needs
further explanation.
• A theory is a set of assumptions. A single assumption can never fill all
requirements of an adequate theory.
• A theory is a set of related assumptions.
• The third key word in definition is assumptions. The components of theory
are not proven facts in the sense that their validity has been absolutely
established. They are however accepted as they are true.
• Logical deductive reasoning is used by the researcher to formulate
hypothesis. The tenets of a theory must be stated with sufficient precision
and logical consistency to permit to deduce clearly stated hypothesis.
• The final part of the definition includes the qualifier testable. Unless a
hypothesis can be tested in some way, it is worthless.
• (Theory should not be confused with Philosophy, speculation, hypothesis
or taxonomy although it is related to each of these items)
Theory and Its Relatives

Hypothesis Speculation

Philosophy Taxonomy
Theory
Theory and Its Relatives

• First, theory is related to philosophy, but it is a

much narrower term.
• Philosophy encompasses several branches, one of
which is epistemology, or the nature of
knowledge.
• Theories do not deal with “oughts” and “shoulds.”
Therefore, a set of principles about how one
should live one’s life cannot be a theory.
Theory and Its Relatives

• Second, theories rely on speculation, but they

are much more than mere armchair
speculation.
• Theories are useful tools employed by
scientists to give meaning and organization to
observations.
• Speculation and empirical observation are the
two essential cornerstones of theory building
Theory and Its Relatives

• A good theory can generate many hypotheses.

• A hypothesis is an educated guess or prediction
specific enough for its validity to be tested using the
scientific method.
• Hypotheses, then, are more specific than the theories
that give them birth.
• Deductive reasoning (going from the general to the
specific).
• Inductive reasoning (going from the specific to the
general).
Theory and Its Relatives

• A taxonomy is a classification of things according to

their natural relationships.
• Essential to the development of a science because
without classification of data science could not
grow.
• However, taxonomies can evolve into theories when
they begin to generate testable hypotheses and to
explain research findings.
 Different Theories exist because…
• Alternate theories exist because the very nature of a theory allows
the theorist to make speculations from a particular point of view.
• Theorists must be as objective as possible when gathering data,
but their decisions as to what data are collected and how these
data are interpreted are personal ones.’
• All theories reflect their authors’ personal backgrounds, childhood
experiences, philosophy of life, interpersonal relationships, and
unique manner of looking at the world.
• The usefulness of a theory does not depend on its commonsense
value or on its agreement with other theories; rather, it depends on
its ability to generate research and to explain research data and
other observations.
What makes a theory useful?
1) Generates Research:
The useful theory should be logical and testable. It should be able to stimulate
and guide further research. A useful theory will generate two different kinds of
research: Descriptive research and Hypothesis testing.
2) Is Falsifiable:
This doesn’t mean that theory should be disapproveable. But that it should be
designed in a way so that it can be proved or disapproved at any time.
3) Organizes data:
A useful theory should be able to organize data that are not incompatible with
each other. A useful theory organizes data in some meaningful way.
What makes a theory useful?
4) Guides action:
A fourth criteria of a useful theory is its ability to guide the practitioner over the
rough courses of day-to-day problems.
5) Is internally consistent:
An internally consistent theory is one whose Components are logically
compatible. A good theory will use concepts and terms that have been clearly
and operationally defined.
6) Is parsimonious:
A useful theory should be simple, clear and straightforward. Theories should
explain the facts with only a few core ideas. That is they tend to be
parsimonious.
Generates Research
• The most important criterion of a useful
theory is its ability to stimulate and guide
further research.
• A useful theory will generate two different
kinds of research: descriptive research and
hypothesis testing.
• Descriptive research, which can expand an
existing theory, is concerned with the
measurement, labeling, and categorization of
the units employed in theory building.
• The second kind of research generated by a
useful theory, hypothesis testing, leads to an
indirect verification of the usefulness of the
theory.
Is Falsifiable
• A theory must also be evaluated on
its ability to be confirmed or
disconfirmed.
• To be falsifiable, a theory must be
precise enough to suggest
research that may either support or
fail to support its major tenets.
• A falsifiable theory is accountable
to experimental results.
• A theory that can explain
everything explains nothing.
Organizes Data
• A useful theory should also be able
to organize those research data
that are not incompatible with each
other.
• A useful theory of personality must
be capable of integrating what is
currently known about human
behavior and personality
development.
• If a personality theory does not
offer a reasonable explanation of
at least some kinds of behavior, it
ceases to be useful.
Guides Action
• A fourth criterion of a useful theory
is its ability to guide the practitioner
over the rough course of day-to-
day problems.
• Good theory provides a structure
for finding many of those answers.
• Without a useful theory,
practitioners would stumble in the
darkness of trial and error
techniques; with a sound
theoretical orientation, they can
discern a suitable course of action.
Is Internally Consistent
• A useful theory need not be
consistent with other theories, but
it must be consistent with itself.
• An internally consistent theory is
one whose components are
logically compatible.
• An internally consistent theory
uses language in a consistent
manner.
• An operational definition is one
that defines units in terms of
observable events or behaviors
that can be measured.
Is Parsimonious
• When two theories are equal in
their ability to generate research,
be falsified, give meaning to data,
guide the practitioner, and be self-
consistent, the simpler one is
preferred.
• In building a theory of personality,
psychologists should begin on a
limited scale and avoid sweeping
generalizations that attempt to
explain all of human behavior.
Six Perspectives of Concepts of Human Nature
1. Determinism v. Free Choice
2. Pessimism v. Optimism
3. Causality v. Teleology
4. Conscious v. Unconscious Determinants of Behavior
5. Biological v. Social Influences on Personality
6. Uniqueness v. Similarities
DIMENSIONS FOR A CONCEPT OF HUMANITY
1. Determinism VS Free Choice
This is the debate over whether
we have control over our own
behavior and understand the
motives behind it (Freedom), or if
our behavior is causally
determined by forces beyond our
control (Determinism).
Determinism has been
considered unconscious,
environmental, or biological by
various theories.
DIMENSIONS FOR A CONCEPT OF HUMANITY
2. Pessimism VS Optimism
• Personality theories differ on
whether people can change
their personalities (Optimism),
or if they are doomed to remain
the same throughout their lives
(Pessimism). Theories that
place a great deal of emphasis
on learning are often, but not
always, more optimistic than
theories that do not emphasize
learning.
DIMENSIONS FOR A CONCEPT OF HUMANITY
3. Causality VS Teleology

• Causality holds that behavior is

a function of past experiences.
• Teleology is an explanation of
behavior in terms of future
goals.
DIMENSIONS FOR A CONCEPT OF HUMANITY
4. Conscious VS Unconscious

• Are we aware of what we are

doing and why we are doing it?
• Unconscious impinge on them or
drive them to act without
awareness
DIMENSIONS FOR A CONCEPT OF HUMANITY
5. Biological VS Social Influences
• Heredity or environment
• Personality is thought to be
determined largely by either
genetics and heredity, by
environment and
experiences, or by some
combination of the two.
DIMENSIONS FOR A CONCEPT OF HUMANITY
6. Uniqueness VS Similarities
• Individuality or common
characteristics
• Traits that make peole alike or
look at those traits that make
people different
Research in Personality Theory
• Must Generate Research
• Theory gives meaning to data
• Data comes from experimental research designed to test
hypothesis generated by the theory
• Systematic observations
• Predictions are consistent and accurate
Research in Personality Theory
Two Empirical Criteria for Instruments
Reliability (consistency) – refers to how consistently a method measures
something.
• Internal reliability assesses the consistency of results across items within a test.
• The split-half method assesses the internal consistency of a test, such as psychometric tests
and questionnaires. There, it measures the extent to which all parts of the test contribute
equally to what is being measured.
• External reliability refers to the extent to which a measure varies from one use to
another.
• The test-retest method assesses the external consistency of a test. Examples of appropriate
tests include questionnaires and psychometric tests. It measures the stability of a test over
time.
• The inter-rater reliability refers to the degree to which different raters give consistent
estimates of the same behavior. Inter-rater reliability can be used for interviews.
Research in Personality Theory
VALIDITY (ACCURACY) – the extent to which a test measures the construct that it is
designed to measure (roughly, how accurate it is)
• Construct Validity - "the degree to which a test measures what it claims, or
purports, to be measuring." A test has construct validity if it demonstrates an
association between the test scores and the prediction of a theoretical trait.
Intelligence tests are one example of measurement instruments that should have
construct validity.
• Convergent validity is the degree to which the same aspect of a single phenomenon or
construct can be accessed and quantified by different models, whereas
• Discriminant validity is the capacity of a model to measure different aspects of a single target
phenomenon from those measured by related models.
• Divergent validity is used to determine if a test is too similar to another test.
• Predictive Validity
• involves testing a group of subjects for a certain construct, and then comparing them with
results obtained at some point in the future.
DIMENSIONS FOR CONCEPT OF HUMANITY SIX
CONCEPTS:

1. Please choose one of the 6 dimensions.

2. Explain how this dimension has played a role in your life?
Such as determinism verses free choice.
3. Has your behavior/choices been determined by free will or
determined by forces out of your control? Please give specific
examples.
Key Terms and Concept (please review)
• Personality
• Theory
• Personality Theories
• Criteria: Usefulness of a Theory
• Concept of Humanity
• Evaluate your own personality
• List five qualities that may describe or define you
• Trace that specific quality
• Use the framework of nature and nurture – in determining your personality
and identity
 THEORIES OF PERSONALITY
Course A survey of the major theories of personality and te theoretical and practical issues involved in the scientific study and
understanding of personality formation dynamics. This course is intended to provide a basic introduction to several
Description theories of personality. The focus will be on the historical contribution of the major traditions in theories of personality
and personality development. Primary consideration will thus be given to the review and evaluation of the major formal
theories of personality and the implication of those theories for practical and applied areas.
References:
• Theories of Personality (10th Edition) by Gregory Feist and Tomi-Ann Roberts and
Jess Feist
 Theories of Personality by Calvin S. Hall,Gardner Lindzey,John B. Campbell
 Theories of Personality by David Lester
 Theories Personality by RYCKMAN
 Theories of Personality by Susan C. Cloninger
 An Introduction to Theories of Personality by Robert Ewen B
 Major Theories of Personality Disorder by Mark F. Lenzenweger, John F. Clarkin
 Theories of Personality by Duane Schultz,Sydney Schultz
TOPIC TO DO
Part I: Introduction Boyle, Gregory J.. (2010). Current research in personality traits and
Chapter 1: Introduction to Personality Theory individual differences. Humanities & Social Sciences papers.
 What is Personality?
 What is a Theory? Kumaranayake, Ranil. (2017). Review of the studies on personality
 Why Different Theories Traits. 38-45.
 Perspectives in Theories of Personality
 Theorists’ Personalities and their Theories of Hörz-Sagstetter, Susanne & Ohse, Ludwig & Kampe, Leonie. (2021).
Personality Three Dimensional Approaches to Personality Disorders: a Review on
 What makes a theory useful? Personality Functioning, Personality Structure, and Personality
 Dimensions for a concept of Humanity Organization. Current Psychiatry Reports. 23. 10.1007/s11920-021-
01250-y.

Thomas, Kerry. (2021). Dimensions of Personality.

10.4324/9781315785134-12.
Please read this topic and get a copy of the article you want to read and you
will be asked to critique it – make a one page reaction or reflection.
 NESTOR L. SIBUG, PhD, RPm, Rpsy
nestorsibug@cca.com
fr.sibugnestor@gmail.com
• Present Board of Director of Psychological Association of the Philippines
• Regional Quality Assurance Team Assessor (Region III-CHED)
• Consultant-Psychologist – Little Flower Psychological Services and Clinic
• Former Department Chair of Psychology Department and Graduate School
Program Coordinator – MA/PhD Psychology
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
• PhD in (I-O) Psychology –Magna Cumlaude
• MA in (Clinical) Psychology – Magna Cuma Laude
• MA in Theology (Pastoral Ministry)- Magna CumLaude
• Bachelor in Sacred Theology (STB) Cum Laude
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology Cumalaude