Personality
• Personality is a person’s attributes and qualities that makes them unique
• The language of personality is interwoven with our everyday lives
• Personality refers to the unique way of interacting with others and
reacting to the environment
Important debates in personality theory
Free will versus Determinism
• Free will: Is personality the result of choices people makes?
• Determinism: Is personality shaped by forces beyond people’s control?
• Example: humanistic people make their own choices but psychodynamic
believes we are determined by forces in the unconscious
Nature versus Nurture
• Nature: Is personality something people are born with?
• Nurture: Is personality shaped by the environment?
• Example: Biological personality theories argue that it is shaped by
genetics, but behavioral theories argue that personality is learned
Past versus Present
• Past: Is personality shaped by the past?
• Present: Is personality shaped by the present?
• Example: Psychodynamic argues that the past as childhood shapes
someone but humanistic theories argue present as personality is
motivated by the present
Uniqueness versus Universality
• Uniqueness: Is personality unique in relation to others?
• Universality: Is personality similar across people?
• Example: Cognitive behavioral theories argue uniqueness as all thinking
patterns differ, but biological theories argue universality as there are
core traits people are born with
, Consistency versus malleability
• Consistency: Is personality permanent over time?
• Malleability: Is personality ever-changing and evolving?
• Example: Behavioral theories argue consistency as it is learned behavior,
but humanists argue malleability as personality is based on people’s ever-
changing ways
Personality theories
1. Psychodynamic perspectives
2. Behavioral perspectives
3. Humanistic perspectives
4. Biological perspectives
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