Psychology: Personality Theories
Psychology: Personality Theories
(Psychology: Personality Theories)
Personality theories seek to understand and explain individual differences in behavior, thoughts, and feelings. One prominent theory is the psychodynamic approach, developed by Freud, which suggests that unconscious conflicts shape personality. Another theory, the trait approach, proposes that personality consists of stable traits that predispose individuals to behave in certain ways. The humanistic approach, championed by Rogers and Maslow, emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization, asserting that individuals strive to fulfill their potential.
Cognitive theories, such as Bandura’s social cognitive theory, emphasize the role of cognitive processes in shaping personality, including observation, imitation, and self-efficacy beliefs. The biological approach explores how genetic, neurological, and physiological factors contribute to personality development, while the behavioral approach focuses on how conditioning and learning shape behavior patterns.
Contemporary theories often integrate multiple perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of personality. They emphasize the interaction between biological, psychological, and environmental factors in shaping personality. Overall, personality theories provide frameworks for understanding the complexities of human behavior and offer insights into individual differences and development.
Assignment 1: Television Character
Television provides us with many interesting examples of interpersonal and neurotic behaviors. In this assignment, you will delve into the life and actions of some of your favorite television characters and analyze them using Horney’s coping strategies.
Interestingly, Horney’s three coping strategies for one’s neurotic needs correlate very well with three of Adler’s different personality types:
- Horney’s moving-toward strategy—Adler’s getting or leaning type
- Horney’s moving against—Adler’s ruling or dominant type
- Horney’s moving away from—Adler’s avoiding type
Using Horney’s theory of coping with neurotic needs with three different interpersonal orientations, select a TV program of your choice containing a character that Horney would identify as exhibiting neurotic behaviors. As you watch a full episode of this show, focus on this character and tally each instance of moving-toward, moving-against, and moving-away behavior.
Research Horney’s theory using your textbook, the Internet, and the Argosy University online library resources. Based on your research, respond to the following:
- Discuss this character’s neurotic needs and trends.
- What do you think has happened in his/her life that has led to these behaviors?
- In addition to general life events, how has gender and culture influenced the character’s neurotic needs and behaviors?
- How do these interpersonal orientations impact the way this character interacts with others and develops relationships?
Write your initial response in 5–6 paragraphs. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.
