13.2 Personality Theories

To explain personality qualities, psychologists formulate personality theories. A personality theory is a comprehensive scientific model of human nature and individual differences.

Let’s begin by seeing what goes into a personality theory—its “basic ingredients.” Then we’ll present four theories of personality.

Personality Structures and Processes

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Question

What aspects of personality are structures and processes meant to account for?

Personality theories contain two main parts: analyses of personality structures and personality processes.

Fluctuating personality processes Maria Sharapova’s personality structure did not change from one time to another. But she did experience shifting personality processes, with her thoughts, feelings, and demeanor changing from one time to another.

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In this chapter, you’ll learn how each of a series of personality theories has addressed personality structures and personality processes. You’ll also learn how each theory has handled a third major topic in the psychology of personality: assessment.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?…

Question 2

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Personality Assessment

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Question

What tool enables personality psychologists to study people scientifically?

Personality psychologists don’t want to merely speculate about human nature. They want to study it scientifically. To do so, they need objective, reliable methods for learning about individuals. In other words, they need personality assessments.

A personality assessment is a structured procedure for learning about the distinctive psychological qualities of an individual. Each of the personality theories you’ll learn about provides guidelines for assessing personality.

So let’s now turn to the personality theories and their approach to personality structure, processes, and assessment.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?…

Question 3

Because they provide a reliable and objective way for psychologists to learn about individuals’ qualities, personality assessments enable psychologists to study personality F35XrrsfRuNHj95TKhq/7YUAXZ0=.