| Personality Theory | Main Points | Criticisms |
|---|
| Psychoanalytic | Personality develops early in life; we are greatly influenced by processes of which we are unaware (e.g., internal conflicts, aggression, sexual urges). | Ignores importance of current experiences; overemphasis on the unconscious and the role of sexuality in personality; theory based on a biased, nonrepresentative sample; concepts difficult to operationally define and empirically test. |
| Behavioral | Personality is shaped by interactions with the environment, specifically through learning (classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning). | Narrow focus on behavioral processes; ignores influence of unconscious processes and emotional factors. |
| Humanistic | We are innately good and control our destinies; we have a force moving us toward growth. | Concepts difficult to operationally define and empirically test; ignores the negative aspects of human nature. |
| Social-cognitive | Focuses on social influences and mental processes that affect personality; emphasis on the combination of environment, cognitive activity, and individual behavior. | Narrow focus on social-cognitive factors; ignores influence of unconscious processes and emotional factors. |
| Biological | Emphasizes the physiological and genetic influences on personality development; incorporates gene–environment explanations for the emergence of certain characteristics. | Inconsistent findings regarding the stability of the personality dimensions; varying estimates of environmental influences. |
| Trait | Looks at current traits of the individual to describe and predict personality. | Underestimates the environmental influences on personality; neglects to explain foundations of personality. |