Allport

Question 1

emphasized the uniqueness of the individual

Answer 1

Allport theory

Question 2

Allport used ___________ methods rather than _______________methods which was used by most other psychologists

Answer 2

morphogenic & nomothetic

Question 3

gathering data on a single individual

Answer 3

morphogenic

Question 4

gathering data on groups of people

Answer 4

nomothetic

Question 5

he also advocated an ___________ ___________; deriving concepts from various theorists

Answer 5

eclectic approach

Question 6

→ he believed that no single theorist is able to adequately explain the total growing and unique personality alone
• he prefers a broad, comprehensive theory than a narrow, specific theory
→ he was against particularism, or theories that focus on a single aspect of personality

Answer 6

Gordon Allport

Question 7

the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his characteristic behavior and thought

Answer 7

Personality

Question 8

personality is both

Answer 8

physical and psychological

Question 9

• Allport’s definition of personality suggests that human beings are both _________ & __________ → people have some organized structure, while at the same time, they possess the capability to change

Answer 9

product and process

Question 10

healthy adults are generally aware of what they are doing and their reasons for doing it Allport was inclined to accept self-reports (of behavior) at face value

Answer 10

role of consciousness motivation

Question 11

he still recognizes the fact that some motivation is driven by __________ __________

Answer 11

unconscious processes

Question 12

what are the few general assumptions required to understand Allport’s conception of the mature personality:

Answer 12

1) psychologically mature people are characterized by proactive behavior

2) mature personalities are more likely than disturbed ones to be motivated by conscious processes

3) healthy people ordinarily have experienced a relatively trauma-free childhood

Question 13

is not merely intended to reduce tensions but also at establishing new ones

Answer 13

proactive behavior

Question 14

What are six (6) criteria for the mature personality?

Answer 14

1) extension of the sense of self

2) warm relating of self to others

3) emotional security or self-acceptance

4) realistic perception of the environment

5) insight and humor

6) unifying philosophy of life

Question 15

individual characteristics that describe a person

Answer 15

Personal disposition

Question 16

traits that are “peculiar to the individual”

Answer 16

Personal Disposition

Question 17

general characteristics that are shared by many people

Answer 17

common traits

Question 18

Level of personal dispositions:

Answer 18

1. Cardinal dispositions
2. Central dispositions
3. Secondary dispositions

Question 19

• characteristic that is very dominating it cannot be hidden
• examples: quixotic (only Don Quixote was truly quixotic), narcissistic (only Narcissus was completely narcissistic)
→ when these terms are used to describe others, they become common traits

Answer 19

Cardinal Dispositions

Question 20

include the 5 to 10 most outstanding characteristics around which a person’s life focuses
• everyone has several of it

Answer 20

Central Dispositions

Question 21

• less conspicuous but far greater in number than central dispositions
• not central to the personality yet occur with some regularity and are responsible for much of one’s specific behaviors

Answer 21

Secondary Dispositions

Question 22

dispositions that are much more strongly felt than others
→ initiate action
→ similar to Maslow’s coping behavior

Answer 22

motivational dispositions

Question 23

personal dispositions that are less intensely experienced
→ guide action
→ similar to Maslow’s expressive behavior

Answer 23

stylistic dispositions

Question 24

• refers to behaviors and characteristics that people regard as warm, central, and important in their lives

Answer 24

Proprium

Question 25

• dispositions that are at the center of personality and are experienced by the person as an important part of self
• characteristics that people see as peculiarly their own
• includes aspects of life that a person regards as important to a sense of self-identity and self-enhancement

Answer 25

Proprium

Question 26

Allport believed that most people are motivated by_________ __________ rather than past events

Answer 26

present drives

Question 27

motivation toward goals that are consistent with an established proprium and that are uniquely one’s own
→ seek to maintain tension and
disequilibrium

Answer 27

propriate strivings

Question 28

are those that reduce a need

Answer 28

peripheral motives

Question 29

• the tendency for some motives to become independent from the original motive responsible for the behavior
~represents Allport’s most distinctive and most controversial postulate

Answer 29

Functional autonomy

Question 30

Levels of functional autonomy:

Answer 30

1) Perseverative Functional Autonomy

2) Propriate Functional Autonomy

Question 31

• more elementary of the two levels
• functionally independent motives that are not part of the proprium

Answer 31

Perseverative Functional Autonomy

Question 32

• borrowed from the term “perseveration” which is the tendency of an impression to leave an influence on subsequent experience
→ example: a rat that learned to run a maze in order to be fed but continues to run the maze even after it has become satisfied
• includes addictions, the tendency to finish uncompleted tasks, and other acquired motives

Answer 32

Perseverative Functional Autonomy

Question 33

• master system of motivation that confers unity on personality
• refers to self-sustaining motives that are related to the proprium
• includes a person’s occupation, hobbies, and interests

Answer 33

Propriate Functional Autonomy

Question 34

• a present motive is functionally autonomous to the extent that it seeks new goals
→ the behavior will continue even as the motivation for it changes

Answer 34

Criterion for functional autonomy