Theoretical approaches in psychology
Personality and situational behavior
The personality trait approach begins by assuming that people differ in their typical patterns of feeling, thought, and action. Such patterns are known as personality traits. However, classifying people according to traits brings up a significant problem. Individuals are inconsistent. Some psychologists have postulated that people are so inconsistent in behavior from one circumstance to another that it is not reasonable to categorize them by personality traits. The controversy arising over this issue is the Person-situation debate.
Opponents of the trait approach, also known as situationists make the following arguments. For one, traits have an extremely limited ability to predict behavior. For another, situations are more imperative than personality traits in the determination of what people partake in. Finally, personality assessment is not only a waste of time, but also most of the people's perceptions about one another are fundamentally wrong.
An extensive review of research literature shows that traits of personality impact crucial life outcomes including longevity, health, career and interpersonal success. Situational variables prove to be most suitable for predicting behavior in certain situations. Personality traits, on the other hand, provide more relevance to behavioral patterns that persist between relationship partners, economic decisions, work settings, and other life scenarios.
Interactionism recognizes three main facts. First, the effect of personal variables may depend on situations and vice versa. Second, people with varied personalities may opt to, or find themselves in different circumstances. Finally, situations get affected by the personalities of individuals who inhabit them. All these show that the psychological differences among individuals matter. The primary purpose of personality psychology is to measure and describe these variables and use them to understand and predict what people do (Argyle & Little, 1972).
The psychodynamic approach
Psychodynamic psychology is a psychological branch that emphasizes on the intensive study of psychological forces underlying human behavior, emotions, and feelings. This study also infers on how these forces might have a relationship to early experiences. Many psychologists have speculated that our early life experiences shape our general mentality and behavior. Others use the “psychodynamic” jargon to specifically refer to the psychoanalytic approach constructed by Sigmund Freud.
Psychodynamic psychology ignores the tenets of science. It establishes its fundamentals that guide all scientists within this field. Through the guidelines, they undertake their studies in ways that prevent them from steering off the accepted rules. This type of psychology focuses on getting inside the heads of individuals. It tries to make sense of their experiences, relationships and how they view the world. The psychodynamic approach includes all psychological theories that see the functioning of humans based on the interaction of forces and drives within the person.
In particular, special attention gets given to the unconscious and between the different personality types. Sigmund Freud proposes a three-part personality structure.
IDThe id deals with the gratification of basic instincts. It comprises all the inherited components of personality. This personality structure is present since birth includes the sex instinct. Part of it includes Eros- which mainly contains the libido. Another aspect of the id is the aggressive instinct. It also gets referred to as the death instinct, Thanatos.
The id is impulsive and unconscious. It functions without the individual's realization. This part of our psychology responds immediately and directly to instinct. In a new-born child, the personality is entirely id. Eventually, it develops into the ego and superego. Throughout the life of an individual, the id maintains an infantile nature. It feels no effect of logic, reality or the everyday world because it functions in the unconscious mind. Id typically demands immediate satisfaction. Upon satisfaction, pleasure gets derived. In the absence of satisfaction, tension arises.
Ego
Also known as the "I." The ego develops for the purpose of mediating between the id and the external world. It forms the decision-making aspect of personality. The ego works by reason and follows the reality principle. It analyses and finds practical means of satisfying the demands of the id. Most often than not, the ego postpones or compromises satisfaction to avoid the negative repercussions of society. It considers social norms and realities, rules and etiquette in deciding on how to behave.
The “I” personality seeks pleasure and avoids pain. It has no concepts of right and wrong. Its main aim is to find satisfaction without causing any harm to the Id and to itself. However, this personality is weak about the id. The ego engages in secondary thing processes which are realistic.
The superego
The superego incorporates morals and values of society learned from parents and mentors. Typically, it develops from 3-5 years of age during the phallic instar of psychosexual development. It performs the function of controlling the Id’s impulses, especially those forbidden by society. They include the likes of aggression and sex. Also, it works to persuade the ego to return to moralistic goals and strive for perfection. The superego has two systems. That is the conscience and the ideal self.
Conscience- the conscience punishes the ego through feelings of guilt. When someone’s ego pushes them against the conscience, it fights back and regulates them by bringing them closer to morally accepted values.
Ideal self- The ideal self can get described as an imaginary picture of how one needs to be. It represents how to treat other people, career aspirations, and behavior as a responsible member of society. The conscience and ideal self largely get determined during childhood from parental values and the type of upbringing one receive (Nesse & Lloyd, 1992).
The humanistic approach
This approach shares a belief that people have the capacity for self-awareness and choice. However, differences occur in theoretical perspectives. The humanistic approach sees human nature as generally good. It has a potential to build meaningful and healthy relationships. Furthermore, the view states that humans can also choose what is in the best interest of oneself as well as others.
Carl Rogers’ theory emphasizes the inner life. This psychological view deals with the reality of will, inner experience, choice, feelings, freedom, growth, courage, will, and self-actualization. According to his world, the most common type of individuals is those who possess vastly complicated inner lives. They make decisions on what to do and what not to. They have meaningful qualities and have the ability to steer the direction of their existence. Furthermore, they are always striving to grow. What matters most to these people is their feelings. That is the recognition, the understanding, and acceptance of the feelings. Most often, the individuals make decisions using their inner resources of personality and character. They direct the course of their lives from this form of an inner compass (Rogers, 1963). This theory differs with Sigmund’s three-part structure in that it suggests all individuals exist in specific categories of character. Sigmund, on the other hand, states that the three-part structure exists in every individual.
The following are the personality characteristics attributed to this theory.
Autonomy and independence
Such people know what they want in their lives. They are highly focused individuals who are driven by ambition. In some cases, passion takes precedence over ambition, while in others both attributes take action at the same time. These people do not exhibit a heavy reliance on others.
Accurate perceptions of reality
These people are realistic about life. They are the so-called "down-to-earth" individuals. Most often, they set goals that are logical and reasonable. These goals generally get arrived at after thorough considerations and deliberations. They weigh in on all factors that might affect the outcome of ambition. For this reason, their goals are achievable, and most statistics support this fact.
Acceptance of self and others
This personality attribute enables the individual to have a positive self-image. Such people do not view themselves as inferior to others. They are proud of who they are and embrace it. Moreover, when it comes to interactions with others, these people are less likely to judge others based on who they are.
Feel as one with nature
These people appreciate the natural environment. They are lovers of nature and enjoy life in its simplicity. Furthermore, they enjoy the sight of flora and fauna. They do not need expensive possessions to give them fulfillment.
Democratic and appreciative
This attribute enables a person to give others a chance to express their views and opinions. They respect the voice of the majority. These people have a general appreciation of life and others too.
Reference
Argyle, M., & Little, B. R. (1972). Do personality traits apply to social behavior? Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 2(1), 1-33.
Nesse, R. M., & Lloyd, A. T. (1992). The evolution of psychodynamic mechanisms. The adapted mind: Evolutionary psychology and the generation of culture, 601-624.
Rogers, C. R. (1963). Toward a science of the person. Journal of Humanistic Psychology.
