Personality Analysis free essay sample

I will discuss the dispositional and learning theoretical approaches to personality. I will define each approach to personality, and I will define each theory that is a part of these approaches. I also will compare and contrast the dispositional and learning theoretical approaches of personality. I will describe the role of personality in affecting situational behavior when it comes to the dispositional and learning approaches to personality. I will examine the personality characteristics attributed to each of the theories I have chosen. Lastly I will explain the interpersonal relational aspects associated with the theories I have selected. I personally have not learned anything about these two approaches of personality which is why I have chosen to discuss them. Definition of Dispositional Theory of Personality First to define the dispositional theory of personality is the fact that your nature like genetics and heritage has relatively permanent effects on how you present yourself to the world. We will write a custom essay sample on Personality Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The first theory that is a part of the dispositional theory of personality is the psychology of individual by Gordon Allport. In this theory Allport emphasized the uniqueness of the individual. According to our text Allport â€Å"believed that attempts to describe people in terms of general traits rob them of their unique individuality† (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). The other theory that is part of the dispositional theory of personality is the trait and factor theory by Hans Eysenck, Robert McCrae and Paul Costa. To define this theory you have to understand that the researchers of this theory believe that five dominant traits continue to emerge from factor analytic techniques(Feist amp; Feist, 2009). Definition of Learning Theory of Personality To define the learning theory of personality it focuses on how people learning and acquire new knowledge. The learning theory of personality has four different theories that are a part of the learning theory of personality. The first theory that is a part of the learning theory of personality is behavioral analysis by B. F. Skinner. This theory has been defined by many people but B. F. Skinner focused on the observable behaviors. The second theory that is a part of the learning theory of personality is the social cognitive theory by Albert Bandura. This theory takes â€Å"chance encounters and fortuitous event seriously even while recognizing that these meeting and events do not invariably alter one’s life path† (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). The third theory is the cognitive social learning theory by Julian Rotter and Walter Mischel which is also a part of the learning theory of personality. When it comes to this theory Rotter and Mischel each rest on the assumption that cognitive factors help shape how people will react to environmental forces. The last theory that is a part of the learning theory of personality is the psychology of personal constructs by George Kelly. Kelly believed that all people â€Å"anticipate events by the meanings or interpretation they place on those events† (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). All of these theories are every important to me because I see how they can help people shape their personality compared to the one in the dispositional theory. Compare and Contrast of Dispositional and Learning Theories I believe after looking at all the theories that are a part of both the major theories they are all very different and they discuss different things. In all of the learning theories are explained in a way that is easy to understand but the dispositional theories are hard to understand. A comparison between these theories is that they deal with personality but they also state that personality is affected by different things. Another contrast that I believe is between the dispositional theories and the learning theories is that the learning theories were influenced by others in the world of psychology where as the dispositional theories were discovered on their own. I truly believe that both theories offer a lot of important information that should be studied because each theory shows how different things can shape and affect our personality. Description of the Role of Personality has in Affecting Situational Behavior I found that â€Å"personality depends largely upon an individual’s experience and the perception the one is choosing to hold† (Sharpe 2012, para 2). I believe that when it comes to the role of personality in affecting situational behavior you have to look at the situation. For instance when I am at the bar for karaoke my personality is ready to sing but if I am at the bar and there is not karaoke my personality wants me to get out of there as fast as I can because my personality does not like drunk people. According to Sharpe (2012), â€Å"When basic human needs go unmet, a motivating force from within develops to drive the person to get the need satisfied† (para. 3). I agree with this statement and believe that this is also a description of the role of personality in affecting situational behavior. Personality Characteristics Attributed to the Dispositional and Learning Theories In both theories the main personality characteristics are the environment and emotions. Both of theories state that the environment affects how our personality develops. For example my childhood environment was very bad and affected my personality. Both theories state that our emotions affect our personalities all the time. For me my emotions affect my personality all the time for example when I am in a bad mood the bad part of my personality. Interpersonal Relational Aspects of Dispositional and Learning Theories When it comes to the dispositional theory the researchers of this theory does not really discuss interpersonal relationships. Allport’s entire theory talk about self sustaining and everything that is a part of your personality comes from the choices you have made. In Eysenck, McCrae, and Costa also does not talk about interpersonal relationships at all and only discuss self centeredness. On to the learning theory some of them do not discuss interpersonal relationships and some do. For instance the social cognitive theory and the cognitive social learning theory discusses external factor that affect our personality which I believe includes interpersonal relationships but the behavioral analysis and the psychology of personal constructs do not talk about interpersonal relationships at all. Conclusion This paper has taught me a lot of information that I have not learned about before. I believe that both of the main theories that I have discussed in this paper are very important to study and have all different believes about how personality develops and is affected. If I was asked which one I believe is correct or more important than the other I would have to say that the learning theories at least for me makes more sense than the dispositional theories. References Feist, J. , amp; Feist, G. J. (2009). Theories of Personality, Seventh Edition [University of Phoenix Custom Edition eBook]. New York City, NY: McGraw-Hill Company. Sharpe, F. (2012). The Role of Personality in Affecting Situational Behavior. Retrieved from http://beingdrphoenix. wordpress. com/2012/08/24/the-role-of-personality-in-affecting-situational-behavior/ Personality Analysis free essay sample Personality Analysis Shannon C. Chavez PSY/405 March 5, 2013 Dr. Barry Brooks Personality Analysis This paper will include personality analysis between the learning theory and the humanistic and existential theories. The learning theory is referred to as the process by which all individuals learn and how they acquire a change or potential change in behavior (Feist amp; Feist, 2000). The learning theories involved are Skinners behavioral analysis, Banduras social cognitive theory, and Rotter and Mischels cognitive social learning theory. The humanistic approach is focused on the individuals potential and stresses the importance of self-actualization and the belief that people are innately good. Humanistic psychology assumes that mental and social problems are a direct result of one’s natural tendencies (Cherry, 2013). Existentialism stresses the importance of free will, freedom of choice by each individual, and the responsibility one takes on his or her own life. This theory emphasizes the responsibility each person takes on the choices they make and what they make of themselves (Cherry, 2013). We will write a custom essay sample on Personality Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Combining these theories with the knowledge they possess outlines the basics of human nature and personality as it develops by the environment, particularly within the social aspect while accommodating the powerful affects of ones own internal ideas. Affects on Situational Behavior According to learning theory, individuals behave according to their environmental, cognitive, and behavioral conditions. In Bandura’s social cognitive theory, he argues that people can learn new information and behaviors by watching what others do. This type of learning known as observational learning is explained in most behaviors (Cherry, 2013). In the behaviorist learning theory, learning takes place by trial and error, with individuals trying different types of behaviors until they engage in one that is reinforcing. Learning theory states individuals apply previously learned material as a means to find familiar reward values in similar situations (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). Behaviors produced within new situations allow the individual to review similar experiences to determine the best course of action and will then choose the one with a similar outcome. In some learning theories, the learner may become passive, thus responding to environmental stimulus. Cognitive learning theory assumes all people are logical beings whose behavior is determined by choices that make the most sense to them (Fritscher, 2011). Rotter believed humans interact with their environments through reinforcement. He assumed peoples situational behavior is a combination of their expectations of reinforcement and the amount of influence their needs demand in any given situation. His predictions of human behavior stem from one’s expectancy, reinforcement value, behavior potential and psychological situation (Feist and Feist, 2009). Mischels personality theory suggests that an individual’s cognitive activities and situations play a vital role in behavior determination. Although he acknowledged this stability, he explained the environment has a powerful influence on behavior. Other’s theories suggest people are motivated by particular drives and traits that would make a person’s behavior consistent (Feist and Feist, 2009). Humanistic approach from Roger’s person-centered theory believes learning is implemented as an act to fulfill one’s fullest potential. The actions of individuals in situational behavior are derived from their potential from which an individual is capable. In humanistic theory, people have cognitive needs by which they respond to certain situations. Within a supportive environment, individuals learn and react appropriately in any situation based on what they have learned previously (Feist and Feist, 2009). According to a humanist approach, responses to a specific situation are directly regarded towards personal growth fulfillment of current needs and satisfaction (McLeod, 2007). The individual will always respond in a way that will ultimately fulfill current needs. Personality Characteristic of Theories The learning theories suggest that personality is a combination of learned inclinations that continue throughout one’s life. Learning theories are believed to have present awareness, which guides the development of personality according to how individuals anticipate specific events, thus ll human behavior is influenced by anticipation (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). Skinner believed that human behavior was shaped by three forces: natural selection, cultural practices, and an individual’s history of reinforcements. Ultimately, Skinner believed that one’s geographical environment and personal physical strength helped shape humans personality in general, however, the environ ment would be vital in the uniqueness of each individual’s personality (Feist and Feist, 2009). Skinner defined personality as at best a repertoire of behavior imparted by an organized set of contingencies (2009, p. 72). Bandura described the act of human nature as self-regulating, proactive, self-reflective, and self-organizing (2009, p. 486). He recognized that observational learning allows individuals to learn without performing the behavior. Rotter believed an individual’s personal history and experiences was more powerful in shaping their personalities and goals, but emphasized the similarities in everyone, whereas Mischel considered an individual’s differences and variations in behavior as more significant. He believed human behavior, through the cognitive-active personality system, adapts to the interaction of stable personality traits and the situation, which includes a number of personal variables (2009, p. 546). Kellys theory explains the idea that all people anticipate events by the meanings placed on those events and believes these constructs of the world are how an individual’s behavior is shaped. People see the world in their own way and believe that every construction is open to revision (Feist and Feist, 2009). Skinner’s learning theories have been criticized for neither accommodating individual differences, intelligence, genetic factors, nor the whole realm of personality (2009, p. 472). Humanistic psychology believes in the natural drive toward personal development, and the idea that people make decisions regardless of environmental factors. Free will is one of the most important factors in the development of one’s personality, and the drive toward self-actualization is a powerful motivation for the creation of one’s personality (Feist and Feist, 2009). According to the idea behind humanism, people make their own choices and are actively involved in the creation of their personalities. Rollo May theory includes three relationships that form the basis for personality: ones relationship with the environment, with others, and with oneself. The influence of all three relationships helps create and contributes to the personalitys ongoing reconstruction (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). Maslow believed that biological components provided the basic parameter for the individual; however, environmental and cultural affects shaped the ego identity or personality (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). Explanation of Interpersonal Relations The humanist/existential perspective assumed people associated with others to engage in productive and healthy relationships, although ultimately, they may be alone. Maslow believed in fulfilling love and belongingness first and fulfilling this was a primal need filled by friendship, family, having a mate, and ultimately maintaining associations with others. He proposed fulfillment at this level was essential for other levels of human success, through his hierarchy of needs (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). Rogers believed growing up in a loving environment, having a caregiver who had positive regards, fostered positive self-regard, which in turn promotes psychological growth. Positive experiences from others are also essential for an individual’s development in mental health, thus success towards self-actualization (Cherry, 2013). Mays existentialism proposed that even though people associate with others, forming healthy relationships, they would ultimately choose who and what they will become. The basic idea of humanism and existentialism views interpersonal relationships as an integral part of human life. Humanism views interpersonal relationships as an important factor in the development of personality. Maslow believed once an individual’s fulfillment of interpersonal relationships was completed, they will have more confidence and esteem in social situations and will experience the reciprocity of love from those of importance to them (Feist and Feist, 2009). From a learning perspective, people tend to associate with others because they receive some type of reward for doing so. Humans originally formed groups within their families to use as protection from enemy tribes and animals. This happens today when people form associations with those of the same interest group and are reinforced for the particular behaviors of that group. Even when not reinforced, people will continue to maintain close associations because of personal connections within the group from which they receive reinforcement (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). Social constructivism is defined as the knowledge, behavior, and personality constructed from social interactions and people build new ideas and concepts that are based on current and past knowledge or experience (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). Bandura believed people learn from their experiences, although much of human learning is taken from the observation of others. Rotter believed human behavior is best predicted from an understanding of the interaction of people with their meaningful environments (2009, p. 510). Mischel also believed that an essential component of one’s personality development was dependent on observations of others within the environment. Mischel and Rotter stressed the importance of learning within a social context, but Mischel continued to maintain his belief in the importance of genetic factors in the development of personality. Kelly believed social influences were much more significant in determining one’s personality than biological ones. He believed humans are influenced by each other and in constructing their own personality, involving other influences from the environment (Feist and Feist, 2009). Kelly stated the actions of others do not mold their behavior; rather, it is their interpretation of events that changes their behavior (2009, p. 572). Conclusion Learning theories define learning and its resulting behavior and personality as a response to the environment in which its consumed including biological considerations, whereas humanistic theory believes in a greater tendency for internal human drive toward a goal and ultimately self-actualization. The different perspectives regarding the effectiveness of personalities on situational behavior, the distinct characteristics of personality and human nature, and the understanding of interpersonal relations all provide an abundance of thought and a more dimensional understanding of humanity within psychological thought process and its applications toward humankind. References Cherry, K. (2013). What is Existentialism? Retrieved from http://psychology. about. com/od/eindex/g/def_existential. htm Cherry, K. (2013). Humanistic Psychology: the â€Å"Third Force† in Psychology. Retrieved from http://psychology. about. com/od/historyofpsychology/a/hist_humanistic. htm Feist, J. and Feist, G. (2009) Theories of Personality (7th ed. ). Retrieved from the University of Phoenix eBook Collection online. New York: McGraw Hill Fritscher, L. (2011). Cognitive Theory. Retrieved from http://phobias. about. com/od/glossary/g/cognitivethedef. htm McLeod, S. (2007). Humanism. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from http://www. simplypsychology. org/humanistic. html Personality Analysis free essay sample Personality Analysis Jason Chapman PSY 405 Professor Wakley May 6, 2013 Introduction In this paper I will discuss the dispositional and learning theoretical approaches to personality. I will define each approach to personality, and I will define each theory that is a part of these approaches. I also will compare and contrast the dispositional and learning theoretical approaches of personality. I will describe the role of personality in affecting situational behavior when it comes to the dispositional and learning approaches to personality. I will examine the personality characteristics attributed to each of the theories I have chosen. Lastly I will explain the interpersonal relational aspects associated with the theories I have selected. I personally have not learned anything about these two approaches of personality which is why I have chosen to discuss them. Definition of Dispositional Theory of Personality First to define the dispositional theory of personality is the fact that your nature like genetics and heritage has relatively permanent effects on how you present yourself to the world. We will write a custom essay sample on Personality Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The first theory that is a part of the dispositional theory of personality is the psychology of individual by Gordon Allport. In this theory Allport emphasized the uniqueness of the individual. According to our text Allport â€Å"believed that attempts to describe people in terms of general traits rob them of their unique individuality† (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). The other theory that is part of the dispositional theory of personality is the trait and factor theory by Hans Eysenck, Robert McCrae and Paul Costa. To define this theory you have to understand that the researchers of this theory believe that five dominant traits continue to emerge from factor analytic techniques(Feist amp; Feist, 2009). Definition of Learning Theory of Personality To define the learning theory of personality it focuses on how people learning and acquire new knowledge. The learning theory of personality has four different theories that are a part of the learning theory of personality. The first theory that is a part of the learning theory of personality is behavioral analysis by B. F. Skinner. This theory has been defined by many people but B. F. Skinner focused on the observable behaviors. The second theory that is a part of the learning theory of personality is the social cognitive theory by Albert Bandura. This theory takes â€Å"chance encounters and fortuitous event seriously even while recognizing that these meeting and events do not invariably alter one’s life path† (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). The third theory is the cognitive social learning theory by Julian Rotter and Walter Mischel which is also a part of the learning theory of personality. When it comes to this theory Rotter and Mischel each rest on the assumption that cognitive factors help shape how people will react to environmental forces. The last theory that is a part of the learning theory of personality is the psychology of personal constructs by George Kelly. Kelly believed that all people â€Å"anticipate events by the meanings or interpretation they place on those events† (Feist amp; Feist, 2009). All of these theories are every important to me because I see how they can help people shape their personality compared to the one in the dispositional theory. Compare and Contrast of Dispositional and Learning Theories I believe after looking at all the theories that are a part of both the major theories they are all very different and they discuss different things. In all of the learning theories are explained in a way that is easy to understand but the dispositional theories are hard to understand. A comparison between these theories is that they deal with personality but they also state that personality is affected by different things. Another contrast that I believe is between the dispositional theories and the learning theories is that the learning theories were influenced by others in the world of psychology where as the dispositional theories were discovered on their own. I truly believe that both theories offer a lot of important information that should be studied because each theory shows how different things can shape and affect our personality. Description of the Role of Personality has in Affecting Situational Behavior I found that â€Å"personality depends largely upon an individual’s experience and the perception the one is choosing to hold† (Sharpe 2012, para 2). I believe that when it comes to the role of personality in affecting situational behavior you have to look at the situation. For instance when I am at the bar for karaoke my personality is ready to sing but if I am at the bar and there is not karaoke my personality wants me to get out of there as fast as I can because my personality does not like drunk people. According to Sharpe (2012), â€Å"When basic human needs go unmet, a motivating force from within develops to drive the person to get the need satisfied† (para. 3). I agree with this statement and believe that this is also a description of the role of personality in affecting situational behavior. Personality Characteristics Attributed to the Dispositional and Learning Theories In both theories the main personality characteristics are the environment and emotions. Both of theories state that the environment affects how our personality develops. For example my childhood environment was very bad and affected my personality. Both theories state that our emotions affect our personalities all the time. For me my emotions affect my personality all the time for example when I am in a bad mood the bad part of my personality. Interpersonal Relational Aspects of Dispositional and Learning Theories When it comes to the dispositional theory the researchers of this theory does not really discuss interpersonal relationships. Allport’s entire theory talk about self sustaining and everything that is a part of your personality comes from the choices you have made. In Eysenck, McCrae, and Costa also does not talk about interpersonal relationships at all and only discuss self centeredness. On to the learning theory some of them do not discuss interpersonal relationships and some do. For instance the social cognitive theory and the cognitive social learning theory discusses external factor that affect our personality which I believe includes interpersonal relationships but the behavioral analysis and the psychology of personal constructs do not talk about interpersonal relationships at all. Conclusion This paper has taught me a lot of information that I have not learned about before. I believe that both of the main theories that I have discussed in this paper are very important to study and have all different believes about how personality develops and is affected. If I was asked which one I believe is correct or more important than the other I would have to say that the learning theories at least for me makes more sense than the dispositional theories. References Feist, J. , amp; Feist, G. J. (2009). Theories of Personality, Seventh Edition [University of Phoenix Custom Edition eBook]. New York City, NY: McGraw-Hill Company. Sharpe, F. (2012). The Role of Personality in Affecting Situational Behavior. Retrieved from http://beingdrphoenix. wordpress. com/2012/08/24/the-role-of-personality-in-affecting-situational-behavior/