Gordon Alport "Dispositional Or Traits Theory" Flashcards
focuses on the idea that individual differences in behavior, emotions, and other psychological attributes are primarily due to stable, enduring traits or dispositions that people possess
Dispositional or traits theory
prioritize the identification and study of personality traits or dispositions that characterize individuals. These traits are seen as fundamental building blocks of personality and are thought to manifest in various aspects of behavior, cognition, and emotion
EMPHASIS ON TRAITS
posits that personality traits are relatively stable over time and consistent across different situations. This means that individuals are expected to display characteristic patterns of behavior and reactions across diverse contexts
STABILITY AND CONSISTENCY
often propose hierarchical models of traits, with broad, overarching dimensions (e.g., the Big Five factors: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) encompassing more specific, narrower traits. This hierarchical organization helps capture the complexity and diversity of individual differences in personality
TRAIT HIERARCHIES
suggest that personality traits have ________ in understanding and predicting various outcomes, such as academic achievement, job performance, Interpersonal relationships, and mental health. Individuals with certain trait profiles may be more likely to exhibit particular behaviors specific outcomes. or experience
PREDICTIVE POWER
the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his [unique adjustments to his environment] characteristic behavior and thought
PERSONALITY
Allport emphasized ________ more than any other personality theorist.
conscious motivation
He believed that healthy adults are _________ and the reasons behind them.
generally aware of their actions
His emphasis on conscious motivation stemmed from his encounter with ______ in Vienna.
Freud
Allport’s emotional reaction to Freud’s question about a _______ led him to assert the conscious nature of his motivation
clean little boy
While Freud would interpret such stories as having unconscious meanings, Allport preferred to accept __________.
self-reports at face value
Allport cautioned against delving too deeply into unconscious motives, suggesting that psychologists should recognize ________ first.
manifest motives
Despite his emphasis on conscious motivation, Allport acknowledged the existence and significance of _________.
unconscious processes
He believed that some motivations are driven by ___________, Allport argued that compulsive behaviors, often originating in childhood, are motivated by unconscious tendencies and can persist into adulthood.
hidden impulses and sublimated drives
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PSYCHOLOGICALLY HEALTHY PERSON?
Proactive behavior
Conscious motivation
Relatively trauma-free childhood
Foibles and idiosyncrasies
Maturity regardless of age
Psychologically mature individuals exhibit ________, consciously acting on their environment in new and innovative ways rather than simply reacting to external stimuli.
PROACTIVE BEHAVIOR
Healthy individuals are more likely to be motivated by conscious processes rather than unconscious ones.
CONSCIOUS MOTIVATION
Despite being psychologically healthy, individuals still possess unique quirks and imperfections that make them distinctive
FOIBLES (MINOR WEAKNESSES OR ECCENTRICITIES) AND IDIOSYNCRASIES
Age is not necessarily a prerequisite for maturity, although healthy individuals tend to become more mature as they age. Psychological maturity is characterized by proactive behavior, conscious motivation, resilience, and a relatively trauma-free childhood, contributing to overall psychological health,
MATURITY REGARDLESS OF AGE
SIX CRITERIA FOR THE MATURE PERSONALITY
- EXTENSION OF THE SENSE OF SELF
- WARM RELATING OF SELF TO OTHERS
- REALISTIC PERCEPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
- EMOTIONAL SECURITY OR SELF-ACCEPTANCE
- INSIGHT AND HUMOR
- UNIFYING PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE
Mature individuals seek to identify with and participate in events beyond themselves. They develop an unselfish interest in work, play, and social and spiritual activities, integrating these aspects into their being.
EXTENSION OF THE SENSE OF SELF
Psychologically healthy individuals possess the capacity to love others intimately and compassionately, treating them with respect and avoiding possessiveness or exploitation
WARM RELATING OF SELF TO OTHERS
Mature individuals accept themselves and possess emotional poise, maintaining composure in the face of setbacks and recognizing that frustrations are a part of life.
EMOTIONAL SECURITY OR SELF-ACCEPTANCE
Healthy individuals have a ______ understanding of their surroundings, avoiding a distorted view of reality and focusing on problem-solving rather than self-centered concerns.
REALISTIC PERCEPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Mature individuals have insight into themselves, taking responsibility for their mistakes and weaknesses without attributing them to others. They also possess a non hostile sense of humor, allowing them to laugh at themselves and perceive life’s incongruities objectively
INSIGHT AND HUMOR
Psychologically healthy individuals have a clear understanding of life’s purpose, which informs their insight and humor.
UNIFYING PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE:
these are predispositions to respond, in the same or a similar manner, to different kinds of stimuli
PERSONALITY TRAITS
Take note:
Personality traits are real and exist within each of us
Traits determine or cause behavior
Traits can be demonstrated empirically
Traits are interrelated; they may overlap, even though they represent different characteristics
Traits vary with the situation
unique to a person and define his or her character
INDIVIDUAL TRAITS
• shared by a number of people, such as the members of a culture
• likely to change over time as social standards and values change
COMMON TRAITS
a generalized neuropsychic structure (peculiar to the individual), with the capacity to render many stimuli functionally equivalent, and to initiate and guide consistent (equivalent) forms of adaptive and stylistic behavior
PERSONAL DISPOSITION
are general characteristics held in common by many people
they provide the means by which people within a given culture can be compared to one another
they are important for studies that make comparisons among people
COMMON TRAITS
LEVELS OF PERSONAL DISPOSITIONS
Cardinal traits
Central traits
Secondary traits
• The most pervasive and powerful human traits
• They are so obvious that they cannot be hidden; nearly every action in a person’s life revolves around this one disposition.
CARDINAL TRAITS
CARDINAL TRAITS
Quixotic
Chauvinistic
Sadistic
Narcissist
• A general characteristics that form the basic foundations of personality.
They are not as dominant or all-encompassing as cardinal traits, but they still play a significant role in shaping behavior.
CENTRAL TRAITS
might consistently display acts of generosity, empathy, and consideration towards others.
“kindness”
influences various aspects of a person’s life, including their work ethic, time management skills, and reliability in fulfilling commitments
“conscientiousness”
The least important traits, which a person may display inconspicuously and inconsistently.
• Less conspicuous but far greater in number than central dispositions
SECONDARY TRAITS
He/She might be _________ in professional settings, confidently expressing their opinions and advocating for their ideas during team meetings. However, they may demonstrate less _______ in social situations, preferring to listen rather than assert themselves in group conversations.
ASSERTIVENESS
Someone might exhibit adventurousness in their leisure activities, such as traveling to exotic destinations, trying extreme sports, or exploring unfamiliar cuisines. However, they may maintain a more conservative approach in their career choices, preferring stability and predictability over novelty and risk.
ADVENTUROUSNESS
most pervasive and powerful/dominant traits that define a person’s whole life
Cardinal traits
general characteristics, frequently seen personal traits
-Central traits
inconspicuously and inconsistently but occur with some regularity and are responsible for much of one’s specific behaviors
Secondary traits
Other Classifications of Personal Disposition
Motivational Disposition
Stylistic Disposition
•much more strongly felt than others
•receive their motivation from basic needs and drives
•Initiate action
Motivational DISPOSITIONS
•less intensely experienced
•manner in which an individual behaves
•guide action
Stylistic Disposition
Refer to those behaviors and characteristics that people regard as warm, central, and Important in their lives.
PROPRIUM
Allport inisisted than an adequate theory of ________ must consider the notion that motives change as people mature and also that people are motivated by present drives and wants
MOTIVATION
People are _______ rather than reactive. they not only react to their environment, but also shape their environment and cause it to react to them
proactive
proposes that the motives of mature, emotionally healthy adults are not functionally connected to the prior experiences in which they initially appeared.
Functional autonomy of motives
2 LEVELS OF FUNCTIONAL AUTONOMY
Perseverative functional autonomy
Propriate functional autonomy
is the tendency of certain basic behaviors to continue in the absence of reinforcement
Perseverative functional autonomy
refers to self-sutaining motives that are related to the proprium
Propriate functional autonomy
