PERSONALITY THEORIES

Personality Theories

Personality Theories

Article for Review

Coon, D. (2004). Personality Theories. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 83, 45-64.

Overview and Purpose of the study

Each person has a unique pattern of thinking, behaving, and expressing his or her feelings (Coon, 2004). Each day we come into contact with so many different and unique people that each possesses distinctive qualities and traits that form their personality. Personality is a wonderful thing as it lets you be as creative and wacky as you want. It is a difference and uniqueness of personality that creates such special bonds between people, and allows for great love, friendship and families to form. The purpose of this study is to discuss what personality is and the types of temperament personalities that exist. It discusses major personality theories such as trait theories, psychodynamic theories, behaviorist and social theories, and humanistic theories. Along with each of the theories will be the discussion and closer look at a particular theorist and how they contributed to the study of that theory.

A personality theory is defined as a system of concepts assumptions, ideas, and principles proposed to explain personality (Coon, 2004). Several personality theories gave been identified, however this paper will focus on the four main theories as outlined in Coon (1994). These major personality theories include trait theories, psychodynamic theories, behaviorist and social theories, and humanistic theories.

Method

The methods and techniques applied in this article are qualitative. Coon (2004) defines personality as an individual's unique and relatively unchanging psychological characteristics and behavior pattern. Different methods of investigation have been made by psychologists and theorists to identify and discover an exact and true definition for personality. Problems often arise as this term can be interpreted and perceived in several different lights.

Results

The research found that there is a clear consensus as to the core content of personality theory. Without exception, the articles and textbooks included extended discussions of psychoanalytic theory (Hans Eysenck and Jung), humanistic theory (Maslow), and dispositional theories (Allport).

Review of the Discussion

Personality refers to the constancy in who each individual is, has been, or who he/she will become. It also refers to other special considerations such as talents, values, hopes, loves, hates, interests, and habits that make each person unique (Coon, 2004). The term personality comes from the Latin word Persona which means mask. When viewing personality as a mask, it represents the public self that people display to the world. We all know that each person is unique in their own way, and presents themselves to others with varying styles and manners. It is individuality that makes a difference in this world, since each and everyday you come into contact with a new person.

Temperament is considered the raw material from which personality is formed from. It refers to the hereditary aspects of an individual, such as their sensitivities, distractibility, and typical moods that are displayed (Coon, 2004). Coon (2004) identifies four main types of temperament personalities, which are introverted, extroverted, stable, and unstable. An introverted personality is a person whose attention ...