WHAT IS PERSONALITY?

OUTLINE

Exercise 1: “Who am I?” Defining personality What is a theory? Why do we need a theory? What makes a good theory? Explicating the assumptions of theories Exercise 2: Making your assumptions explicit. The importance of culture

CAN WE DEFINE PERSONALITY? As others see us i.e. the persona Enduring Stable Characteristics Every human is unique

Personality is a dynamic and organized set of characteristics

possessed by a person that uniquely influences his or

cognitions, motivations and behaviors in various

situations.

Traits, Skills,Predispositions

Cognitions

Conditionedby external

factors

Biology

Ego forces

Unconscious aspects

Interaction between these

Spirituality

Personality

What is a theory?

A theory is a set of abstract concepts developed about a group of facts, events or observations in order to explain them.

A theory of personality, therefore, is an organized system of beliefs that helps us to understand human nature.

Why do we need a theory?

To make sense of known empirical findings

To generate further knowledge To simplify a complex world To make predictions in the future

How can we build a scientific theory? The Inductive approach: Inductive theories are

created from a solid base of empirical observations. E.g. the Trait theorists

The Deductive approach: In deductive theories, the conclusions follow logically from the premises or assumptions. E.g. Freud’s theory.

Using analogies and concepts borrowed from related disciples like Biology (e.g. Phineas Gage), Evolutionary Biology, Anthropology etc.

What makes a good theory?

1. Comprehensive

2. Parsimonious

3. Falsifiable

4. Productive

5. Explicitly stated assumptions

Comprehensive

Theory should address as many of the aspects of a phenomenon as possible (e.g., a theory of personality should be applicable to a wide range of human experiences)

Incorporates known empirical facts: An adequate theory of personality should be able to address all we know about a phenomenon. However, also should be focused on new discoveries

Parsimonious

o The theory explains things concisely. A theory should be no more complicated than it needs to be after it has addressed being comprehensive and verifiable.

o When two explanations have the same ability to predict phenomenon, the simpler explanation is preferred (e.g., Horney’s explanation of women’s development does not include penis envy)

Falsifiable

o The theory should be able to be tested for correctness.

o The theory should generate predictions that can be confirmed or disconfirmed.

o To do so, the relevant variables and concepts must be measurable. In this way, predictions are verifiable.

Productive

The theory should be useful to explain phenomena and lead to new ideas, new predictions and to new research.

We should learn more about the phenomenon than we currently do. This learning should come about from the empirical testing or propositions derived from the theory’s assumptions. Generation can be

systematic (i.e., confirmation of premises), or heuristic (i.e., suggesting ideas or even arousing disbelief and

opposition)

Explicitly stated assumptions

Nature of assumptions usually represents the distinctive qualities of the theory

A theory should have a set of relevant assumptions that are clearly stated (e.g., earth is the center of the universe)

Assumptions should be related to each other (e.g., because earth is center of creation all planets and stars revolve around the earth)

Some basic philosophical assumptions Freedom vs. determinism: Do people have control

over their behaviors and understand the motives behind them? Or, are the behaviors of people determined by internal or external forces over which they have little, if any, control?

Heredity vs. environmental: Do inherited and inborn characteristics or factors in the environment have the more important influence?

Uniqueness vs. Universality: Is each individual is unique and cannot be compared with others or are people basically very similar in nature?

Some basic philosophical assumptions Proactive vs. Reactive: Do human beings act on

their own initiative rather than merely reacting? Are the sources of behaviour within the individual who does more than just react to stimuli from the outside world?

Optimistic vs. pessimistic: do significant changes in personality and behavior occur throughout the course of a lifetime? If an individual is motivated, can genuine changes be effected in personality? Can we help others to change by restructuring their environment?

Exercise 2

Rate your assumptions Break up into small groups Identify the responses you have marked as 1 or as 5 Discuss

Any actions or behaviors that serve as examples of your assumptions and influence your response

How your own cultural, familial, socioeconomic and religious context influences your responses

Share insights or experiences with the larger group

Large Group Discussion

From the Betancourt & Lopez article: Why is the concept of culture important in

personality theories? How do your assumptions, life experiences

and culture of origin influence your personal theory of personality?

Summary

Define personality Understand what a theory is and what makes

it a good theory The importance of culture and context Understand your own assumptions about

human nature