Exam 5. Alport

Question 1

Alport contended that a theory of personality should be these 5 things?

Answer 1

1. Internal and unique to the individual.
2. has variables that explain an individual’s actions and thoughts.
3. Finds motives for behavior in the present (only neurotics are prisoners of the past).
4. Traits are units of measurement capable of a “living synthesis”.
5. Account for self-awareness.

Question 2

Cardinal Traits

Answer 2

characteristics that serve as a motivating force for virtually all of an individual’s behavior. A Cardinal trait is like a ruling passion or a Master motive. Very few of us are dominated by a Cardinal trait, but if we were a one-word description of our personality would suffice. For example, narcissistic, sadistic, histrionic, antisocial, et cetera.

Question 3

Central Traits

Answer 3

characteristics that control an individual’s behavior in many situations, but are less comprehensive than Cardinal traits. Allport maintained that most of us have between five to 10 of these.

Question 4

Secondary traits

Answer 4

peripheral characteristics that exert less control over a person’s behavior. Examples include the kind of close we choose to wear , our musical preferences, our food preferences, etc..

Question 5

Common Traits

Answer 5

dispositions shared with others

Question 6

Personal disposition

Answer 6

traits unique to the individual

Question 7

Proprium

Answer 7

How Alport referred to the development of the self

Question 8

Becoming

Answer 8

a process involving a movement toward self-realization. Becoming involves the development of the mature self.

Question 9

Functional Autonomy

Answer 9

involves a process whereby a behavior that was once controlled by a basic motive comes to operate independently of that motive.

An example he gives is that of a boy raised in poverty who was ordered by his parents to fish, and to provide food for the table. Later as a wealthy adult, he purchases expensive fishing equipment and spends all his vacations on fishing trips. Fishing has become functionally autonomous for this individual. In addition to functional autonomy of the characteristics of maturity

Question 10

Extension of the sense of self (One of the aspects of maturity to Alport)

Answer 10

Altruism, the ability to participate in activities with others that go beyond striving to gratify one’s own selfish needs; genuine concern for others.

Question 11

Warm relatedness to others (One of the aspects of maturity to Alport)

Answer 11

able to be intimate and compassionate and one’s relationship with others.

Question 12

Self acceptance (One of the aspects of maturity to Alport)

Answer 12

understanding an acknowledgment, not only of fun strengths, but one’s weaknesses as well.

Question 13

Realistic perception of reality (One of the Aspects of Maturity to Alport)

Answer 13

accurate perception of the world as it actually exists.

Question 14

Self Objectification (One of the aspects of maturity to Alport)

Answer 14

the ability to not take myself too seriously

Question 15

Unifying Philosophy of life (One of the aspects of maturity to Alport)

Answer 15

development of a set of life goals and values that guide the person’s behavior.

Question 16

Nonmotheic technique

Answer 16

the approach to the study of behavior that seeks to establish laws by specifying the general relationships between variables.

Question 17

ideographic technique

Answer 17

the approach to the study of behavior that seeks to understand the uniqueness of a specific individual through intensive investigation.

The personal documents obtained from Jenny Gove Masterson serve as an example of this technique. One of the theories implications for therapy is that personal growth and self-realization is dependent upon “love given and love received.”