Allport'S Trait Theory
BIOGRAPHY
came from a solid home and was scholarly from an early age.
Encounter with Freud convinced him psychologists should pay attention to the
obvious rather than delving too deeply into the subconscious.
Spent most of career at Harvard and was president of APA.
He seems to be a humanistic, psychoanalytic, cognitive, trait theorist.
CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES
personality - the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine characteristic behavior and thought.
“becoming” - Allport's term (similar to self actualization or self realization).
genotype - an inherited characteristic which may or may not be reflected in
the phenotype (outward appearance) of the person.
phenotype - outward appearance of a characteristic which may or may not reflect
the underlying genotype (genetic inheritance).
“psychophysiological systems” - basically traits which consist of both mental and
biological elements. Traits are real and exist in the nervous system.
humanistic theory - recognizes that each person is unique, has dignity, is active,
creative, and grows positively with maturity.
What is a "trait"?
1. traits have the capacity to "render many stimuli functionally equivalent."
2. traits actually exist and are located in the nervous system.
Three levels of traits
1. cardinal traits - are the highest level, most powerful, and will influence nearly
all of the person's behavior.
2. central traits - are less controlling of behavior but are still important.
3. secondary - are peripheral to the personality and control a few specific
behaviors.
Common traits vs. personal dispositions:
1. common traits - are shared by all people to some extent (e.g., extraversion).
2. personal dispositions - are unique to the person (e.g., collecting cotton balls).
PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
“Proprium” - totality of the personality, what makes us unique persons, like the
"self"
or "ego."
7 stages/aspects of Proprium development
1. bodily self - infancy, life centers around the body.
2. self identity - up to 18 months, continuity of self emerges.
3. self esteem - second and third years, a time for testing, accomplishment leads
to pride.
4. self extension - ages 4 to 6, concern with possessions emerges, early on, the
person is selfish. Later on, the person becomes less selfish.
5. self image - also ages 4 to 6, we (1) learn what is expected of us and (2)
develop goals or aspirations for the future.
6. self as rational coper - between ages 6 and 12 we begin to think more
"logically."
7. Propriate striving - starting at age 13 we strive towards goals (two
motivations).
A. peripheral motives - are impulses that direct us towards immediate
gratification.
B. propriate motives - propel us towards important long term goals.
Functional autonomy - (changing motivations) - A behavior once controlled by a
basic motive (money) changes to one controlled by a “higher” motive
(enjoyment).
six “characteristics of maturity”
1. extension of sense of self - we go beyond ourselves and show concern for
others.
2. warm relatedness to others - capacity for love, intimacy, and compassion.
3. self-acceptance - more emotionally secure, higher tolerance for frustration.
4. realistic perception of reality - accurate in perceptions, problem (not ego)
centered.
5. self-objectification - we know ourselves and have insight into ourselves.
6. unifying philosophy of life - a clear understanding of life's purpose, and
directedness,
a set of standards that guide behavior.
idiographic vs. nomothetic approach
Idiographic approach - looks at one person in great detail (many traits).
Nomothetic approach - looks at only one or a few traits in large numbers of
people.
Allport is a supporter of the idiographic approach.
Content analysis - Allport's method for objective, quantitative, and systematic
analysis of communications (e.g., letters) that leads to a "trait description."
factor analysis - is the final step in content analysis, it indicates the relevant
"traits."
THEORY'S IMPLICATIONS FOR THERAPY
people with problems - have been stifled in their growth, they have taken
society's
demands too seriously….
….Allport takes what is basically a "humanistic" approach to therapy. A warm,
accepting environment in which the person can grow.