INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS A THEORY?

A set of related assumptions that allows scientist to use logical deductive reasoning to
formulated testable hypothesis.
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Not a fact or truth but accepted as if it is.
FIVE MAJOR THEORETICAL
PERSPECTIVE
1. P SY C HO DY N AM IC
P r i ma r y A s s u mp t i o n s
 First 5 years of life most shape personality.
 Unconscious forces are most important.
 Neurosis result from unhealthy moving toward, against, or away from
others.
Focus/Key Terms:

Unconscious

Early recollections
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Collective Unconscious
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Archetypes

Object-relations

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Identity Crises
Relatedness
Key Figures:
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Sigmund Freud
Alfred Adler
Carl Jung
Melanie Klein
Karen Horney
Erick Erikson
Erich Fromm
2. HUM AN I ST IC - EX I ST E NT I AL
P r i ma r y A s s u mp t i o n s
 People strive to live meaningful, happy lives

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People are motivated by growth and psychological health
Personality is shaped by freedom of choice, response to anxiety, and
awareness of death.
Focus/Key Terms:

Meaningful life

Psychological Well-being and growth
Key Figures:

Abraham Maslow

Carl Rogers
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Rollo Reese May
3. DI S PO SIT IO N AL / T R AIT
P r i ma r y A s s u mp t i o n s
 People are predisposed to behave in unique and consistent ways; they
have unique traits
 There are five trait dimensions in human personality
Focus/Key Terms:
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
Traits
Motives
Key Figures:
4.
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Gordon Allport

Raymond Cattell

Robert McCrae

Paul Costa
B I O L O G I C AL - E V O L U T I O N A R Y
P r i ma r y A s s u mp t i o n s
 The foundation of thought and behavior is biological and genetic forces.
 Human thought and behavior have been shaped by evolutionary forces
(natural and sexual selection)
Focus/Key Terms:

Brain structures, neurochemicals and genes

Adaptive mechanism
Key Figures:
Hans Eysenck
David Buss