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Personality is considered as a combination of all the attributes characterizing a specific individual. These attributes may include temperamental, behavioural, mental, and emotional characteristics. A lot of psychological experts started showing increased interest in the study of personality during the past several decades, and presented many theories on personality. Researches on personality and constant evaluation as well as review of emerging theories and models have helped in further understanding of personality. Dispositional and evolutionary or biological personality theories are among some of the most important theories. These theories are different from many other personality theories in that they have focused on the particular characteristics, which can then be attributed to a more generalized population or group (Feist, Feist, & Roberts, 2013).
Differences in dispositional and biological or evolutionary personality theories
Gordon Willard Allport had an important contribution in the development of dispositional personality theories, and played a key role in the understanding of personality under the context of psychology. Allport was of opinion that traits are different in different individuals as, for example, many people may have the characteristics of stubbornness but this characteristic varies from person to person (Feist et al., 2013). These theories deal with the psychological characteristics of individual and environment, and their classification. One of the examples of those classifications appears in the five-factor trait theory presented by McCrae and Costa, which showed five attributes or factors having low and high scores. Another theory connected to the dispositional theories is referred to as Individual Psychology that was presented by Alfred Adler. Every person knows best about his or her specific behaviors such as needs and desires, and social behavior has an important role in individual’s choices and behaviors (Overholser, 2010).
Evolutionary or biological personality theories help in the understanding of personality traits in relation to genetics and hereditary characteristics. These theories illustrate a strategy to connect hereditary changes with the surroundings and environment. Theories of this category work on the individual’s particular personality in comparison to the wide-ranging view found in dispositional theories. On a further note, the evolutionary theory of personality provides novel thoughts on the personality through new researches. This category utilizes a method of asking about one individual, and studying the reasons behind the similarities and/or differences between the individuals. Two well-known evolutionary or biological theories include Evolutionary Theory of Personality and Eysenck’s Biologically Based Factor Theory (Buss & Schmitt, 2011).
Strengths as well as limitations of dispositional and biological or evolutionary personality theories during their application to behavior
Both the dispositional theories and biological or evolutionary theories come with certain strengths as well as limitations. Dispositional theories have their basis on thoughts and speculations, and there are few scientific investigations providing evidences through the development of hypotheses and proving them. These theories are unable to accurately deal with research on personality. Some personalities have not been covered in the theories as, for example, children, unhealthy individuals, and people with strange behaviors. Dispositional theories consist of the most basic research, and most of the information have not been verified or falsified. It is important to note that psychological theories having higher empirical evidence and applicable research are stronger as compared to other theories, but dispositional theories have philosophical and common-sense basis rather than scientific basis. However, Allport’s theory can help in developing a starting point to perform a deeper research on the personality. This theory is found to be parsimonious and consistent (Feist et al., 2013).
Biological or evolutionary theories of personality work on the biological aspects in psychology. Therefore, they are helpful in the explanation of differences in individuals that cannot be explained by environmental changes. The evolutionary psychology theories give a stronger method for organizing knowledge. However, these theories are thought to be inconsistent internally, and have weaknesses in physical utilization of different processes as, for example, guidance of parents in raising their children according to the education and/or skills that are learned at home. These theories utilize the data from a person to know about the changes with the help of evolution. These theories have limitations in the types of testing to explain personalities and behaviours. Overall, it can be said that some aspects of the theories can be explained with the help of research while others are inexplicable (Feist et al., 2013).
Big five personality tests and their utilization to study personality
Five Factor trait theory by McCrae and Costa helps in providing more clarification and understanding into the personality. Some assessments as well as inquiries into the five-factor model can help in understanding the correctness of the theory and knowing about the validity of the gathered information. To find out the validity and accuracy, some information including peer ratings, self-reports, and questionnaires for assessments have to be collected. The five-factor model has five attributes of personality ranging from one characteristic to the other. The five-factor model deals with extraversion, openness, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and agreeableness. Assessment of these five factors helps in the examination and understanding of individual’s personalities. Every one of the five factors has low and high scores. For example, extraversion can show high scoring levels in being active, affection, and being talkative, whereas it shows low scores in case of the quietness, sobriety, and insensitivity of a person. Similarly, openness showed high scores in case of creativity, curiosity, and originality, whereas it shows low scores in case of lack of creativity, conservatism, and conventionalism. Identification of these scores for the five factors can help in knowing the treatment needed and/or psychological changes developed as a result of experiences. Therefore, the five-factor model helps in giving information about different aspects of the personality giving empirical resources and in explaining the personality through different dimensions (Feist et al., 2013).
In case of big five personality tests, a series of 50 different questions can be asked to connect to any of the five factors. The questionnaire can help in knowing about the person, whether he or she has lower or higher scoring levels in various areas of personality such as creativity or happiness. With the help of these questions, a psychologist can also determine the person’s perception of different things.
Concluding Remarks
Personality theories such as dispositional and evolutionary or biological theories help in knowing and understanding the personalities of people. In the determination of personalities, assessments are made on the basis of scores or observations in different situations. Understanding the changes that may occur during a history, or evolutionary personality theories, can help in speculating behaviours that may change with generations. On the other hand, environment can help in understanding the personality of an individual in a particular setting. Overall, these theories can help in understanding the mechanism behind the occurrence of behaviours.
References
Buss, D. M., & Schmitt, D. P. (2011). Evolutionary psychology and feminism. Sex Roles, 64(9-10), 768-787.
Feist, J., Feist, G. J., & Roberts, T. A. (2013). Theories of Personality: McGraw-HIll.
Overholser, J. C. (2010). Psychotherapy that strives to encourage social interest: A simulated interview with Alfred Adler. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 20(4), 347.
