Psychology Essays (UOP)

Psy/405 Personality Analysis Paper

Personality Analysis Paper

Samantha Craig

Psy/405

11/07/2015

Sarah Lind

Introduction

Personality Theories have been around for a long time and were in the plenty. This analysis will cover the personality theories known as the Humanistic and Existential theory along with learning theories. This will provide a clear compare and contrast between the theories. Which will include an attempt to provide examples on how each theory affects the personality on situational behaviors along with the aspects of interpersonal relationships. Lastly, it will conclude with an examination on each of the theories and the theorist involved and their explanation of diverse personality characteristics

Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories

Humanistic and Existential Personality theories derive from three central ideas. The first theory is the Holistic-dynamic Theory, which was designed by Abraham Maslow. He suggested that when it came to a person's motivation and their personality the driving force behind it is the need. This particular theory revolves around the basic assumption that Maslow believed that an individual reaches self-actualization after the lower levels of need is met with the satisfaction of his hierarchy of needs. The holistic-dynamic theory is where "the whole person is constantly being motivated by one need or another and that people have the potential to grow toward psychological health, that is, self-actualization" (Feist, Feist, & Robert, 2013). The second theory is referred to as the Person-Center theory that was founded by Carl Rogers. Roger's believed that humans evolve consciousness by the act of formative tendency. The belief behind the person-centered theory is the person's ability to move in constructive and positive directions. Therefore like Maslow, Rogers understood and believed that people move towards self-actualization to reach their full potential. The last of the three central theories is known as existential psychology by Rollo May. May's presentation of the existential psychology introduced the thought that each is responsible for their choices that they make, along with the ability to decide how they will grow up. May believed that fear or anxiety can be a form of the driving force behind motivating people.

Learning Personality Theories

When it comes to Learning personality theories, a person can find that they are made up of four idea's that relate to learning perspectives. The first idea is by a theorist called B.F. Skinner. Skinner is known for his behavioral analysis in which he believed that a person free will or genetics shape a person but their environment and reinforces behaviors. The second idea is by Albert Bandura, who came up with social cognitive theory. This theory is based on the thought that humans self-regulate by using external and internal factors such as genetics and environment to influence behaviors. Bandura also believed that these are obtained through observational learning that is when a person observes those around them and learns behaviors that way. The cognitive, social learning theories made by Julian Rotter and Walter Mischel rest with the assumption that cognitive factors can help shape how people will react to their environments. Mischel's cognitive, social learning "Theoretical efforts to analyze person-situation interactions."("Walter Mischel: Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions." 2013) He also believed that cognitive experiences may have a hand in shaping an individual's personality. While Rotter believed that human behavior can be easily predictable based on observations made off of the individual's interactions within their environment. According to (Feist, Feist &Roberts, 2013) George Kelly "assumes that people's interpretation of a unified, ever-changing world constitutes their reality." This based more on the thought that a person's interpretation of reality is what is important than the events and situations that took place. The strength of this particular theory lies within the individual's ability to add to existing constructs, repair, replace or change an old one, or having the capability to build a new construct. This needs to happen because a person's interpretation of reality is constantly subjected to face change whether it be in alterations, revisions, or even reevaluations.