Basic Questions in Basic Questions in Personality TheoryPersonality Theory

Is personality innate or learned?Is personality innate or learned? Is personality consistent over time? Is personality consistent over time?

(when do we become who we are?)(when do we become who we are?) Is personality consistent across Is personality consistent across

situations?situations? Is human nature essentially good or Is human nature essentially good or

evil?evil? Do we have free will?Do we have free will?

THEORYTHEORY

1. Describe1. Describe

2. Explain 2. Explain

3. Predict3. Predict

A Good TheoryA Good Theory

1. Systematic & Coherent1. Systematic & Coherent 2. Testable2. Testable

3. Comprehensive (parsimonious but 3. Comprehensive (parsimonious but not too narrow)not too narrow)

4. Interesting (compelling & 4. Interesting (compelling & meaningful)meaningful)

What is Personality?What is Personality?

AllportAllport’’s definition of s definition of PersonalityPersonality

““Personality is a Personality is a dynamic dynamic organization organization inside a person of inside a person of psychophysicalpsychophysical systems that systems that creates a personcreates a person’’s s characteristic characteristic patternspatterns of of behavior, thought and behavior, thought and feelingfeeling..””

What does this mean?What does this mean?

Suggests that Personality is:Suggests that Personality is:

psychologicalpsychological enduringenduring generalgeneral