What Makes You You Explored in Personality Theories

Introduction

At first thought, personality seems so simple to explain. At least I felt this way. That was until I began my introduction into my general psychology course. After reading and doing some digging online and in my textbook I found that personality is so much more than a definition. Personality is what makes you you! It is who you are. But how exactly did we develop our personality? Were we born with it? Does it change? What influences our personality? There are so many questions around the subject of personality that is has sparked interest in some of the most well know theorist/psychologists out there.

Allport's Trait Theory and Subcategories

After reviewing Gordon Allport's trait theory, he believed that there were two main types of personality traits. Common and personal. He went on to say that personal traits branched off into three subcategories. Cardinal, central, and secondary. (Josh Gerow, Kenneth Bordens, Evelyn Blanch-Payne, 2012, p. 393) I think that Allport was a very organized individual and his brain worked best this way. I like how he focused on central traits being what mainly characterized who the person was but also understood that some traits (secondary) depend on the current circumstance or situation. However, I don’t agree with cardinal trait. I don’t believe one certain trait can control everything a person does. For example, if someone were to say my cardinal trait is controlling that may be true but it also may be due to a disorder. What if I were diagnosed with said disorder and was given medical intervention that no longer makes me controlling? Would I not have a cardinal trait anymore? I think that if it is a medical diagnosis then it shouldn't be considered a personality trait. For that reason, I disagree with the subcategory cardinal trait and I think he should have stuck with central and secondary traits as subcategories.

Maslow's Critique of What Makes You You

Abraham Maslow was most concerned with the actual ‘self’ and was a very optimistic person. (Josh Gerow, Kenneth Bordens, Evelyn Blanch-Payne, 2012 p. 17-18, 391-391) I really liked that he focused on who the person was and what satisfied their needs. I like how he started with the needs of a person and what their drive was. With that being said I feel that his theory may be missing some information. In my opinion, his theory is too basic. I think personality also has a lot to do with upbringing and outer influences in the past as well as in the future. His theory seems to have more focus on the future and real time, rather than the past.

Bandura's Social and Cognitive Theory

Bandura's Social and cognitive theory focuses on behavior, personal and environmental factors. He believed that people behaved a certain way because they observed others. (Josh Gerow, Kenneth Bordens, Evelyn Blanch-Payne, 2012 p. 386) Out of Allport, Frued, Maslow, and Banduras theories I agree with Banduras most. He takes into consideration past, present and future. His theory is something we see daily and proves it’s self over and over again, daily. I observe this with my child. Most recently my dog has been acting out and I have been getting really irritated with him. In the last few days a have raised my voice at my dog without realizing that my son was near to witness it. Today, he shouted at the dog almost mimicking me. It honestly was a real eye opener and reminded me that I need to be aware at all times that my son is constantly learning and looking up to me for guidance and how to handle daily life. Before all of this I had no idea that this was infact a psychology theory until reading about Albert Bandura. I find his theory most relatable and understandable.

Conclusion

In regards to the discussion of locus of control, I feel that I have both internal and external locus of control. I would have to say I have more of internal locus of control as an adult. I have seen that effort and hard work usually get me where I like to be. Especially if I set a goal. However in some instances I do believe that outcomes can be out of your control no matter how hard or little you work. I guess some might call external locus of control luck. 

References

1. Gerow, J., Bordens, K., & Blanch-Payne, E. (2012). Understanding Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behavior. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
2. Allport, G. W. (1937). Personality: A Psychological Interpretation. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.
3. Maslow, A. H. (1954). Motivation and Personality. New York, NY: Harper & Brothers.
4. Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.