Day 1: Trait Theory

Trait theory gives an external explanation of personality. Your personality is the result of some external force: the planets, essential fluids, body type, or inherited propensity. Read more

Day 2: Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) was the father of psychoanalysis. He gave us defense mechanisms, dream analysis, psychosexual stages of development, the Oedipus complex, and the id, ego and superego. Read more

Day 3: Adler & Jung

 The followers of Freud developed their own theories. Although based on, or a reaction to, their experiences with Freud, two major psychodynamic theories stand out. Read more

Day 4: Neofreudians

After Freud, Adler and Jung, psychoanalysis began to change. These shifts weren’t so much the work of outsiders but by those who believed in the psychodynamic model. Read more

Day 5: Behaviorism

 Behaviorism starts with the idea that personality is simply what you do. You are the sum of your behaviors. If you want to change your personality, change your behavior. Read more

Day 6: Social Learning

Social learning theories are an extension of behaviorism. They use an empirical approach but emphasize social influence and environmental adaptation. Think of them as behaviorism with a context. Read more

Day 7: Humanism

Humanism was a reaction to behaviorism. It was a return to valuing being human. According to this view, people can’t be reduced to stimulus-response explanations. We’re more complex than that. We’re more valuable than that. Read more

Day 8: Existentialism

Like humanistic psychology, existential psychology was more of a movement or philosophy than a systematic school of thought. Basically a reaction to behaviorism, existential philosophers differentiated between existence (being) and essence (how things are). Existence is primary, and essence is fleeting. Read more

Day 9: Cognitive Approaches

Cognitive approaches to personality emphasize our ability to think. In general, this view comes out of behaviorism and social learning theory. It takes the empirical approach of behaviorism, and applies it to how people think. It takes the concepts of social learning theory, and formulates them as internal representations. Essentially, cognitive science believes you are what you think. Read more

Day 10: Yours & Mine

 Writing a theory is a great way to consolidate your ideas. There’s something about seeing it in print that helps solidify your thinking. You can see where you got it right, where it’s wrong, and where it’s merely confusing. To help you write your theory, I’ve included my own theory of personality as an example…of what not to do. 🙂

Your theory need not be complex or complete. But the process of thinking about your assumptions and writing down your conclusions can be very helpful. 

 Don’t worry that your theory is not unique. There is no requirement in life that you start from Square One. Indeed, everyone benefits from the wisdom of others. Sometimes you’ll be delighted when someone expresses just what you were thinking. Other times the greatest help seems to be from encountering ideas which are contrary to yours.

Although finding yourself in relationship to others is helpful, be sure to add your unique spin on things. No one is quite like you, so feel free to include your own impressions. As a case in point, I’ve included my theory of personality. I steal from everyone and reject everyone all at the same time. I present it as a tool for you. Use it to help develop your own thinking.

 NOW YOU CHOOSE
    Tangen’s Theory of Personality Intro
    Tangen”s Theoryof Personality (Part 1)
    Tangen’s Theory of Personality (Part 2)
    Vocab
    Quiz

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