MODULE I
INTRODUCTION
Why do people behave as they do? Do people have some choice in
shaping their own personality? What accounts for similarities and differences
among people? What makes people act in predictable ways? Why are they
unpredictable? Do hidden, unconscious forces control people’s behavior?
What causes mental disturbances? Is human behavior shaped more by
heredity or by environment?
For centuries, philosophers, theologians, and other thinkers have
asked these questions as they pondered the nature of human nature—or
even wondered whether humans have a basic nature. Until relatively recent
times, great thinkers made little progress in finding satisfactory answers to
these questions. A little more than 100 years ago, however, Sigmund Freud
began to combine philosophical speculations with a primitive scientific
method. Later, a number of other men and women developed theories of
personality—some were based largely on philosophical speculation; others,
mainly on empirical evidence, but all used some combination of the two.
Indeed, this shows that a useful theory should be founded on both scientific
evidence and controlled, imaginative speculation.
WHAT is PERSONALITY?
ETYMOLOGY
Psychologists differ among themselves as to the meaning of
personality. Most agree, however, that the word “personality” originated
from the Latin persona, which referred to a theatrical mask worn by Roman
actors in Greek dramas. These ancient Roman actors wore a mask (persona)
to project a role or false appearance. This surface view of personality, of
course, is not an acceptable definition. When psychologists use the term
“personality,” they are referring to something more than the role people
play.
However, personality theorists have not agreed on a single definition
of personality. Indeed, they evolved unique and vital theories because they
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lacked agreement as to the nature of humanity, and because each saw
personality from an individual reference point.
Although no single definition is acceptable to all personality theorists,
we can say that personality is a pattern of relatively permanent traits and
unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a
person’s behavior. Key concepts in this definition are:
1. Traits contribute to individual differences in behavior, consistency of
behavior over time, and stability of behavior across situations. Traits may be
unique, common to some group, or shared by the entire species, but their
pattern is different for each individual.
2. Characteristics are unique qualities of an individual that include such
attributes as temperament, physique, and intelligence
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this MODULE, students should be able to:
1. acquire a deeper understanding of how personality originates,
develops, and functions from a broader perspective that considers
diverse views from the best of the West and the East.
2. facilitate a scientific introspective journey along which one is able
to critically assess his own self-definitions and aspirations, and more
clearly discern the meaning of growth, success, and fulfillment; and
3. apply acquired insights to enhance personal relations and derive
pleasure from taking care of oneself and others – effectively and happily.
DIRECTIONS/ MODULE ORGANIZER
There are two (2) lessons in the module outlined as follows:
1. Introduction to Personality theory
2. Early developments in the study of Personality
Within the discipline of psychology, personality is a field of study rather
than a particular aspect of an individual. It is a branch of psychology which
is concerned with providing a systematic account of the ways in which
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individuals are different along predisposition, traits, temperaments and
character. This module is designed to be an interesting and enlightening
journey through the major theoretical perspectives on human personality
from both traditional and contemporary Western and Eastern approaches.
This investigates the many and exciting conceptual and methodological
developments along with the research activity done in the field. Through
simple personality assessments and individual and communal sharing, the
students will hopefully have a fuller understanding and better perception of
their own personality development and dynamics.
In Module 1, you will be introduced to what personality means and how it
is viewed during early times. Likewise, developments of the different
theories of personality will be explored as well as the forces behind the
differences in these theories.
Read each lesson carefully then answer the exercises/activities to find
out how much you have benefited from it. Work on these exercises carefully
and submit your output to your instructor.
In case you encounter difficulty, discuss this with your instructor through
private message.
Good luck and happy reading!!!
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MODULE I
INTRODUCTION TO PERSONALITY THEORY
Lesson 1
What is a THEORY?
A theory is a set of assumptions that allows scientists to use logical
deductive reasoning to formulate testable hypotheses. Key concepts here
are assumptions and related assumptions, logical deductive reasoning and
the qualifier testable.
It is differentiated from philosophy, speculation, hypothesis and
taxonomy. A philosophy is broader than a theory, speculation , on the other
hand, must be tied to empirical data and science whereas hypothesis is a
specific guess that can be tested using scientific method. Taxonomy, on one
hand, is a classification of things according to their natural relationships.
Why are there DIFFERENT theories?
If theories of personality are truly scientific, why do we have so many
different ones? Alternate theories exist because the very nature of theory
allows the theorist to make speculations from a particular point of view.
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Different
Philosophical
Experiences
Unique
Ways of
Looking at
The world
Interpersonal
Relationship
Different
Personal
backgroun
d
Different
Childhood
Experience
s
Different
Personal
background
Theorists’
Personality &
their Theories
of Personality
?
What Makes a Theory Useful?
A useful theory has a mutual and dynamic interaction with research data.
First, a theory generates a number of hypotheses that can be investigated
through research, thus yielding research data. These data flow back into the
theory and restructure it.
Generates
Research
Is falsifiable
(Verifiable)
Organizes
Known
data
Guides
Action
(Practical)
Is
internally
consistent
Is
parsimonious
Dimensions for a Concept of Humanity
Personality theories differ on basic issues concerning the nature of
humanity. Each personality theory reflects its author’s assumptions about
humanity. These assumptions rest on several broad dimensions that separate
the various personality theorists. We use six of these dimensions as a
framework for viewing each theorist’s concept of humanity.
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Determinism
Vs
Free Choice
❖ Do we consciously direct our actions, or
are they governed by other forces
❖ Some personality theorists take extreme
positions on this issue. Others express
more moderate views, arguing that
some behaviors are determined by past
events and some can be spontaneous
and under our control.
Pessimism
Vs
Optimism
❖ Optimism/Pessimism: Are we basically
good or evil?
❖ Some theorists views of the human
personality are positive and hopeful,
depicting us as humanitarian, altruistic
and socially conscious. Other theorists
find few of these qualities in human
beings, either individually or collectively
Causality
Vs
Teleology
Conscious
Vs
Unconscious
Determinants
of Behavior
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❖ Past/Present
❖ Is our personality fixed by early events
in our lives, or can it be affected by
experiences in adulthood?
❖ Historical determinism: The view that
personality is basically fixed in the early
years of life and subject to little change
❖ Equilibrium/Growth
❖ Are we motivated to maintain a
physiological balance or state of
equilibrium, or does the urge to grow and
develop shape our behavior?
❖ Some theorists believe that people are
tension-reducing, pleasure-seeking
animals. Others consider us to be
motivated primarily by the need to grow,
to realize our full potential and to reach
for ever-higher levels of self-actualization
and developmment
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Biological
Vs
Social
Influences on
Personality
❖ Nature/Nurture: Are we influenced more
by heredity (nature) or by our environment
(nurture)?
❖ As with the free will-determinism issue,
the alternatives are not limited to extreme
positions. Many theorists assume that
personality is shaped by both sets of
forces. To some, inheritance is the
predominant influence and environment of
minor importance, others hold the
opposite view.
Uniqueness
Vs
Similarities
❖ Is the personality of each human being
unique, or are there broad personality
patterns that fit large numbers of persons?
❖ We may think of personality as so
individual that each person’s action, each
utterances, has no counterpart or
equivalent in any other person. This
obviously makes the comparison of one
person with another meaningless.
READING ASSIGNMENT
Students are required to read and make notes from Chapter 1 of
major text book Theories of Personality.
Feist, J. and Feist (2009). Theories of personality. (7th ed.). Boston:
McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
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ASSIGNMENT
Personality Assessment Exercise
Instructions:
1. Please complete this personality test by logging in to the website
listed below
http://www.seemypersonality.com/
2. The results must be posted as well.
3. After completing the test and knowing the results, answer the
following questions:
a. What did you discover about your personality? (something
you didn’t know about your personality)
b. What did you discover that reaffirms what you thought
about your personality?
c. Do you think this test is accurate, and should be used to
measure a person’s particular personality traits? Why or why not?
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Lesson 2
EARLY
DEVELOPMENTS in the
STUDY of
PERSONALITY
I. HUMORAL PSYCHOLOGY (460-360 BC)
The theory of the four humors tried to explain human personality and
was one of the precursors of modern psychology. The story of Hippocrates
and the theory of the four humors dates back to almost four centuries
before the birth of Christ. Many consider it to be one of the first attempts
to create the science that would become psychology 2,000 years later.
Historians call Hippocrates the “father of medicine” because he was
the first person in Europe to make a system on what was known about
disease and health at the time. Not only that, but he also posited
explanations for these phenomena and therapeutic guidelines to deal with
them.
Hippocrates” theory of four humors basically states that the human
body is made up of four substances referred to as “humors.” For ideal
health, they have to in perfect balance since when it is lost, it leads to
sickness.
According to the theory, the substances that make up the body are:
black bile, yellow bile, blood and phlegm. Hippocrates linked each of these
humors to an element in the universe and atmospheric conditions.
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Later on, Galen elaborated on this. He stated a lack of balance
between the four humors affected people’s way of acting, feeling and
thinking. Galen ended up outlining the existence of four temperaments:
1. Melancholic: In these people, black bile predominates. They have a
melancholic temperament who are very sensitive, and enjoy artistic
pursuits.
2. Choleric: People in this category have a higher amount of yellow
bile, which is the source of their passionate temperament. They have
enormous vitality and get angry quickly.
3. Sanguine: Blood is the predominant humor in these people.
They’re confident, joyful, optimistic, expressive and sociable.
4. Phlegmatic: The phlegmatic have a high amount phlegm in their
system. They’re deep thinkers, calm, willing to compromise and hard
workers.
Both Hippocrates and Galen as well as their followers designed and
complemented the theory of the four humors based on observations. In
actuality, their theories inspired the first psychologists
II. LITERARY CHARACTEROLOGY (319 BC)
This was developed by Theophrastus (319 BC). This was done through
a brief descriptive note that depicts a common type of human being that is
recognized and appreciated by the readers of any age and in any land as a
simplified but essentially correct image.
III. PHYSIOGNOMY
The art of judging mental traits or attitudes from the outward
appearance of the face and of the other visible bodily structures esp. from
the configuration, cast or expression of the face
This has 2 variations:
1. Physiognomica by Aristotle
2. Kretschmer Typology
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1. PHYSIOGNOMICA (Aristotle, 384-322 BC)
This is the oldest treatise that involves three methods:
a) RESEMBLANCE in appearance between man and animal
b) RACIAL TYPOLOGY associated with skin color
C) FACIAL EXPRESSIONS engendered by emotion
2. KRETSCHMER’S TYPOLOGY
Deviced by Ernst Kretschmer, a German Psychiatrist who classified
body build into four types:
a. Pyknic
b. Athletic
c. Leptosome or Asthenic
d. Dysplastic
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LEARNING ACTIVITY
Temperament Assessment
Instructions:
1. Please complete this test by logging in to the website listed
below
http://personality-testing.info/tests/O4TS/
2. Have the results printed for submission.
3. After completing the test and knowing the results, answer
the following questions:
a. What did you discover about your temperament?
(something you didn’t know about)
b. What did you discover that reaffirms what you thought
about your temperament?
c. Do you think this test is accurate, and should be used
to measure a person’s particular temperament? Why or why
not?
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MODULE SUMMARY
With the conclusion of Module 1 you now have the necessary
foundation to understand each of personality theories in the succeeding
modules.
In Lesson 1, we undertook a discussion of what a theory is with its
characteristics and usefulness. Lesson 2, on the hand,
discusses early
developments in the study of personality dating from the ancient period.
Congratulations! You have just studied Module I. now you are ready to
evaluate how much you have benefited from your reading by answering the
summative test. Good Luck!!!
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SUMMATIVE TEST
THE iAM VIDEO PROJECT
For this activity , you will be answering the very first
question asked during the start of this semester - the “What
kind of personality do I have?” question. Based from this you
are to answer the following questions –Who are you? What do
you care about? Who do you care about? What/who do you
love/like? What do you aspire to be? Thus, in this video
project, you will tell the world, “iAM …..”
Instructions
• Prepare AT LEAST 30-40 photos or video clips (or a
combination of the two) for your story
• Include photos from your past as well
• Use photos that build or show visual images of you
•
Required photos:
O Baby pictures
O With family
O With friends
O Doing a special activity or hobby
O And anything else you choose that tells us the
story of you.
• Video presentation should have at least a minimum of
two minutes (2) and a maximum of three (3) minutes running
time.
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Required Textbook:
Feist, J., Feist, G. J., & Roberts, T-A. (2018). Theories of Personality
(9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
References:
Burger, J. M. (2019). Personality (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage
Learning.
Engler, B. (2013). Personality Theories (9th ed.). Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Olson, M., & Hergenhahn, B. R. (2010). An Introduction to Theories of
Personality (8th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
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