ALLPORT'S THEORY OF PERSONALITY - ratheeshthapasya

                                    ALLPORT’S THEORY OF PERSONALITY

Trait approach

•       personality is viewed in terms of several traits

Trait –

Trait is relatively permanent consistent general behavior pattern that an individual exhibits in most situations.

•       basic units of one’s personality

•       discovered through observing behavior in variety situations

•       individual is combination of sum total of personality traits

•       can be inborn or developed

•       consistently directs the behavior

•       each individual develops distinctive sets of trait in his life

•       Number and grativity differs from individual to individual.  so personality is unique

Two trait theories

•       a.         Allport’s

•       b.         Cattel’s

Allport’s theory of personality

•       trait -basic unit of personality

•       used the term personal disposition to represent trait

•       a trait is more generalized than a habit

•       a trait is dynamic, or at least deterministic of behavior

•       a trait’s existence may be established empirically

•       a trait is only relatively independent of other traits

Allport distinguished three types of traits

1.   Cardinal

2.   Central

3.   Secondary

According to Allport personality is a dynamic organization within the individual of those psycho-physical systems that determine his unique adjustment to his environment

•       personality is an organized whole

•       it undergoes changes and modifications

•       includes two system

1    psychological

2.   Physical

Each individual behaves in his own way. So adjustment is unique

1.    cardinal traits

•       primary traits

•       so dominant in personal disposition  that they color every aspect of one’s behavior

•       very rare

•       only a few people possess them

•       it is reflects each and every activity of the individual

•       overrule other traits

•       e.g. humorous person – brings sense of humor most situations

2.    central traits

•       General characteristics that form the basic foundation of the personality.

•       not dominating as cardinal

•       characteristics which can be used to describe one’s personality

•       e.g.; honesty, kindness

•        

3.    secondary traits

•       not dominant as cardinal or central

•       characteristics related to one’s performance and attitudes

•       appear only in some situations

•       relatively weak

•       eg ; anxious  to speak to mass

•       cardinal traits combined with a few central traits form the core of characteristic trait responsible for giving  uniqueness ot one’s personality