THEORY DEFINED
A scientific theory is a set of related assumptions that allows scientists to use logical
deductive reasoning to formulate testable hypotheses.
WHAT MAKES A THEORY USEFUL?
A useful theory (1) generates research, (2) is falsifiable, (3) organizes data, (4) guides
action, (5) is internally consistent, and (6) is parsimonious.
1. it generates research: A useful theory will generate two different kinds of research:
descriptive
research and hypothesis testing
2. is falsifiable: A theory must also be evaluated on its ability to be confirmed or
disconfirmed;
3. organizes data: A useful theory should also be able to organize those research data that
are not
incompatible with each other.
4. guides action: this means it is able to guide the practitioner over the rough course of
day-to-day problems.
5. internally consistent: A useful theory need not be consistent with other theories, but it
must be consistent
with itself.
6. parsimonious: this just simply means it's not complex; it is simple and straightforward
PERSONALITY DEFINED:
Personality: a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both
consistency and individuality to a person's behavior. This definition highlights two key
components:
1. Traits: These are enduring tendencies or dispositions to behave in a particular way
across various situations. Traits provide consistency in a person's behavior over time.
2. Characteristics: These are unique qualities that distinguish one person from another,
contributing to individual differences in behavior.
Psychologists provide different definitions to the word personality. This is because they have
their own orientation on looking at personality and they do not agree on the nature of
humanity. But where did the word personality originate from? It was believed that it came
from the Latin word persona. The ancient Roman actors actually wore a theatrical mask
(persona) to project a role or false performance (Feist, Feist & Roberts, 2018) when they
performed in Greek dramas.
From this, we can say that personality contain those aspects of us that others can see,
meaning, the external and visible characteristics that we possess. Our personality would
then be defined in terms of the impression we make on others—that is, what we appear to
be (Schultz & Schultz, 2017).
As psychologists, this definition lacks some salient points because personality is more than
just the roles we take and play and more than just the impression we make on others.
OVERVIEW OF THE MAJOR PERSPECTIVES OR ORIENTATION IN THE STUDY OF
PERSONALITY
[Link] Perspective places importance on the role of the unconscious and early
childhood experiences. Specifically, this include the Psychoanalytic Theory by Sigmund
Freud and the several neo-psychoanalytic theories.
2. Humanistic/Existential Perspective emphasizes the importance of free will and individual
experience in the development of one’s personality. The theories which subscribe to this
perspective believe in the realization of our full potentials in life.
3. Learning and Cognitive Theories suggests that personality is the result of the interaction
between the individual and the environment. Behavioral theorists study observable and
measurable behaviors and place less emphasis on the role of the unconscious.
4. Dispositional Theories also known as trait theory/ies are based on the idea that
personality is something a person is born with and has a fixed basic set of qualities that is
unique for each individual.
5. Biological/ evolutionary theories
The biological perspective believes that inherited predispositions as well as physiological
processes can be used to explain differences in our personalities (Burger, 2008).
The evolutionary approach assumes that human behavioral patterns developed because
they were helpful or necessary for survival in the evolutionary history of the species.
DIMENSIONS FOR A CONCEPT OF HUMANITY
The differences among personality theories can be attributed to how the theorists view
human nature. They are presented on a bipolar dimension. The following are some issues
on which theorists disagree or agree, while keeping a neutral stand on some.
1. Freewill vs. Determinism
Do we have control over what we would like to happen in our lives (that is, we are the
masters of our own fate) or are we victims of forces over which we have no control over?
2. pessimism versus optimism
Are people doomed to live miserable, conflicted, and troubled lives, or can they change
and grow into psychologically healthy, happy, fully functioning human beings?
3. Causality versus teleology
Briefly, causality holds that behavior is a function of past experiences, whereas teleology is
an explanation of behavior in terms
of future goals or purposes. Do people act as they do because of what has happened to
them in the past, or do they act as they do because they have certain expectations of what
will happen in the future?
4. conscious versus unconscious
Are people ordinarily aware of what they are doing and why they are doing it, or
do unconscious forces impinge on them and drive them to act without awareness of these
underlying forces?
5. biological versus social influences
Are people mostly creatures of biology, or are their personalities shaped largely by their
social relationships? A more specific element of this issue is heredity versus environment;
that is, are personal characteristics more the result of heredity, or are they environmentally
determined?
6. uniqueness versus similarities.
Is the salient feature of people their individuality, or is it their common characteristics?
Should the study of personality concentrate on those traits that make people alike, or should
it look at those traits that make people different?