Define Personality Theories

Define personality theories

Self Theory Psychoanalytic Theory The Psychoanalytic theory of personality has held the interest of psychologists and psychiatrists for a long time. Sigmund Freud, its formulator, was quite an influence. It attends to emphasizes three main issues i.

Components of Psychoanalytic Theory Id The id is the only part of the personality that is present at birth. It is inherited, primitive, inaccessible and completely unconscious. The id operates according to the pleasure principle, that is, to seek pleasure, avoid pain and gain immediate gratification of its wishes. The id contains: a The life instincts, which are sexual instincts please click for source biological urges such as hunger and thirst b The death instinct, which accounts for our aggressive and destructive impulses.

Ego The ego is the logical, rational, realistic part of the personality. The define personality theories evolves from the id and draws its energy from the id. But the ego, which is mostly conscious, acts according to the reality principle. Superego When the child theories of moral development age 5 or 6 the superego — the moral component of the personality — is formed. In its quest for moral perfection, the superego, a moral guide, sets up signposts that define and limit the flexibility of ego.

Type Theories The type theories represent an attempt define personality theories put some degree of order into the chaos of personality theory. The type theory represents an attempt to scientifically describe personality by classifying individuals into convenient categories. Two categories of type theories of personality are explained below: Sheldon Physiognomy Theory William Sheldon has presented a unique body-type temperamental model that represents a link between certain anatomical features and psychological traits with distinguishing characteristics of an individual and his behaviour. Sheldon identifies three body types: Endomorph: He is bulky and beloved.

His personality temperament is viscerotonic the person seeks comfort, loves fine food, eats too much, is jovial, affectionate and liked by all. Mesomorph: He is basically strong, athletic and tough. All appreciate his physique.

Related Psychology Q&A

According to Sheldon, he will tend to be somatotonic he is fond of muscular define personality theories he tends to be highly aggressive, and self-assertive. Ectomorph: These people are thin, long and poorly developed physically. Though physically weak, he leads the league in the intelligent department. Carl Jung Extrovert Introvert Theory The way to type personality is in terms of behaviour or psychological factors. However, as Carl Jung himself pointed out, the introvert-extrovert typology turns out to be more in the nature of a continuum than discrete, separate types. Carl Jung proposed his own two-part theory of personality.

Carl Jung two types are: Extrovert: They are optimistic, outgoing, gregarious and sociable.

Extroverts are basically objective, reality-oriented individuals who are more doers than thinkers. Introverts: By contrast, introverts are more inward-directed people.

They are less sociable, withdrawn and absorbed in inner life. They tend to be guided by their own ideas and philosophy. Few people are complete introverts or extroverts, but the mixture of these two ingredients determines the kind of overall personality of an individual.

Trait Theories Some early personality researchers believed that to define personality theories individuals, we must break down behaviour patterns into a series of observable traits.]

define personality theories.