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Introduction
Each individual has peculiar traits and characteristics that differ from other individual. These differences are unique and refer to as the individual’s personality. In our daily lives, we tend to encounter individuals who are quiet and reserved; other individual prefers to sit in the corner, while others like to become the center of the crowd, chatting with every individual in the party with full confidence.
This varying traits and behaviors of an individual are best explained by renowned theories that will potentially help one why a person is behaving a certain way. This research describes the different personality theories that Freud, Jung, Rogers and Maslow are famous for as well as the features of each theory.
Freud’s Personality Theory
The psychoanalysis theory became known personality theory because of Sigmund Freud. Freud explained that the developmental changes that happen in an individual is because of the effect of emotions on behavior and internal drives.
Based on the psychoanalysis theories, Freud explained that there are three different parts that constitute the human personality. These parts include the conscious mind (or the id), preconscious (or the ego) and the unconscious mind. (or the superego) . Generally, id includes the instinctual and biological drives. The pleasure principle of the id is that pleasure is good and it is the only thing that matters. It highly contains the libido, a biological energy or force that drives the pleasure seeking movements. Ego, on the other hand, is the most systemized part of the personality structure. The structure of ego is more organized than that of the id as well as reality-oriented and rational. It develops during the first two years of the life of the infant and normally assist id until it achieves its gratification. The ego uses its defense mechanism to minimize the tension by protecting our impulses that are intimidating. Freud identified several defense mechanisms that the ego employs include reaction formation, denial, displacement, regression, repression, projection and rationalization. Superego aims for perfection. It learns and constrains the impulses of the id. It tends to be irrational at times, and developed through rewards. This part of the human personality develops during the age of 5 through the Oedipal complex resolution .
In case of conflict, these human personalities cause emotional problems and tension, thus, a person uses defense mechanism to reduce the anxiety and fights the tension.
Carl Jung’s Theory of Personality
In Jung’s theory of personality, he emphasized that there are eight typological groups of personality that include introversion and extraversion, whereas the modes of orientation refer to thinking, feeling, sensation and intuition.
Individuals with extroverted attitude have abundant personal energy in different people, events, relationships and things. These individuals are typically confident and gregarious even in unfamiliar surroundings. On the other hand, the weakness of an extrovert individual is his reliance on making a good impression, establishing of relationship is easy at the same time breaking it easy as well. An extrovert typically lacks self-criticism and treats reflection as being dark and gloomy, thus, he prefers not to be alone. Introverts are total opposite of the extrovert individuals. He prefers to be alone and loves reflection as an activity. Individuals who are introvert, however, are seen as egotistical, self-centered and dull .
With regard to mode of thinking, extroverts depend on facts and are not interested with abstract ideas. Introverts give little consideration to their relationship outside his environment and prefer abstract ideas. With regard to feelings, extroverts value personal relationships while introverts appear cold and unadaptable. In terms of sensation, extroverts prefer action, power and prestige, while introverts are sensitive and imaginative. With regard to intuition, extroverts detest well-established and safe things, and uses analysis and judgment in the absence of objective basis .
Carl Roger’s Theory of Self
Roger emphasized that every individual has a unique potential, and there are various ways on how each personalities can evolve and develop. Carl Rogers highlighted the importance of self-actualization where a person achieves this when his ideal-self equates to his actual behavior. According to this theory, one way of achieving congruence is through self-regard or approval. Furthermore, an individual should experience unconditional love as a form of positive regard. Overall, Carl’s theory of self exemplifies that a person must become a fully functioning person. According to him, a fully functioning individual is one who is open to new experiences, healthy both physically, mentally and psychologically and has awareness of their own emotions and the others .
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
According to Abraham Maslow, every individual requires seven basic needs that requires fulfillment from the lowest level of need until it reach the top most need. From the lowest level, each individual has physiological needs, safety and security needs, love and belonging needs, self-worth and self-esteem needs and self-actualization.
Physiological needs refer to the basic needs of the human body – food, sleep, oxygen, clothes, freedom, etc. Upon its fulfillment, an individual needs to feel secure and safe in the environment where he belongs. The fulfillment of both physiological and safety needs of an individual drive the need to feel of love and sense of belongingness. Rejection and defiance is unacceptable for this kind of needs. Acceptance from his surrounding, from friends and family, are very important at this level of human needs. In terms of self-worth and self-esteem, an individual seeks for the need to achieve and acquire some sort of power for himself. This boosts his morale and provides gratification to an individual. The self-actualization level is the ultimate goal of an individual as explained by Maslow. This comes in various forms that include meaning in life, self-fulfillment or beauty. This need provides the overall need of an individual to be the person that he wants to become and what he is capable of doing. This is the stage at which an individual discovers his full capabilities, potential and talent. In order to achieve this, according to Maslow, the attainment of the previous need is very important .
Works Cited
Ahmed, S. (2012). Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory Oedipus complex: A critical study with reference to D. H. Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers”. Internal journal of English and literature vol. 3(3), 60-70.
Hall, S., & Garder, L. (2012). Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory. New Jersey: Wiley & Sons.
Macleod, S. (2014). Carl Jung. Retrieved from Simply Psychology: http://www.simplypsychology.org/carl-jung.html
Martin, D., & Joomis, K. (2007). Building Teachers: A Constructivist Approach to Introducing Education. California: Wadsworth.
Patterson, C. (2012). Foundations for a Theory of Instruction and Educational Psychology. Harper & Row.
