Gordon Allport Flashcards
What is particular about allport’s assumptions about human condition
it takes a middle ground influenced by psychodynamic, humanistic, gestalt and behavioural ideas
What are key elements about Allport
presented an optimistic view of human nature
presented people as proactive
he emphasized on psychological growth and expansion of self
he says that heredity and early life can be important infleucnes but we still have the choice in the degree it can dictates our lives
he presents a view of limited freedom
What did allport theory of personality emphasized on
uniqueness of the individual
What is morphogenic science, according to Allport?
gathering data on patterns of behavior within a single individual, dealing with the patterned properties of the whole organism
What are nomothetic methods?
An approach to studying personality based on general laws or principles
What is personality according to allport
dynamic organization within an individual that determines his unique adjustments to his environment
that determines his characteristic behavior and thought
What is definition of person
Mask in greek
what are the imporant key concepts in the definition of personality according to allport
personality is a dynamic organisation within an individual that determines the unique adjustment to his environment and determines his characteristic behavior and thought
- Dynamic organization
- Psychophysical
- Determine
- Characteristic
- Behavior and thought
According to Allport, are healthy adults generally aware of what they are doing
Yes, Allport proposed a large role for conscious motivation, arguing that healthy adults are generally aware of their actions and reasons
what did compulsive behaviors meant to allport
they were considered as automatic repetition that may be motivated by unconscious tendencies originating childhood
Name six criteria for a mature personality according to Allport
Extension of self: always seek to identify with and participate in
events outside themselves (look outwards, beyond them)
Warm relating of self to others: have a capacity to love others in an
intimate and compassionate manner (not being selfish)
Emotional security (self-acceptance): Mature people accept themselves for what they are, and they possess emotional poise. (accepting themsleves for who they are)
Realistic perception : They do not bend reality to their own wishes, are problem oriented as opposed to self-centered and they are in touch with the world as most others see it (seeing things as they are)
Insight and humor: They know themselves and have no need to attribute failures to others and they have a non-hostile sense of humour that enables them to laugh at
themselves (valued characteristic)
A unifying philosophy of life: Mature people have a clear view of the purpose of life (having a purpose of life)
What is the difference between common traits and personal dispositions
Common traits are general characteristics shared by many people,
while personal dispositions are unique to the individual
What are the three levels of personal dispositions
1.Cardinal dispositions
- Central dispositions
- Secondary dispositions
What is a cardinal disposition?
An eminent characteristic or ruling passion that dominates a person’s life
Cannot be hidden, helps in understanding nearly every action in a person’s life (e.g. Narcissus became characteristic of
Narcissism)
what is Central dispositions
The five to ten outstanding characteristics around which a person’s life focuses
Allport suggest these are the characteristics “that would be listed in an accurate letter of recommendation”
WHAT ARE Secondary dispositions:
Characteristics that are not central to personality but occur with regularity
- More numerous than central dispositions
- Responsible for much of our specific behaviors
What is the difference between motivational and stylistic dispositions?
Motivational dispositions initiate action, can be from basic needs and drive (some personal disposition can fall in this category)
whereas stylistic dispositions guide action
What is the proprium?
All those characteristics that people see as peculiarly their own, regarded as warm, central, important, and relevant to self-enhancement
What is the difference between peripheral motives and propriate strivings?
Peripheral motives reduce a need, while propriate strivings are motivations toward goals consistent with one’s proprium
What is functional autonomy?
The tendency for some motives to become independent of the original motive responsible for the behavior
What is the contact hypothesis?
The idea that contact between members of majority and minority groups can reduce prejudice under optimal conditions such as equal status, common goals, cooperation, and authority support
what are the different methodological approaches according to Allport
Nomothetic approaches:
Idiographic approaches
Morphogenic approaches
Nomothetic approaches:
seek general laws of behavior
Idiographic approaches
that which is peculiar to the single case
