Personality psychology

Personality psychology is a branch of psychology that studies personality and its variation among individuals. It is a scientific discipline which aims to show how people are individually different due to psychological forces.

History

The study of personality has a broad and varied history in psychology with an abundance of theoretical traditions. The major theories include trait-based, psychoanalytic, gestalt, and behaviorism. Some of the earliest expressions of what would become personality psychology arose in the philosophical speculations of the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, China, India and Persia.

Personality Theories

Trait Theory

Trait theory suggests that personality is made up of a number of broad traits. It is based on the idea that people are individuals, with unique traits and characteristics.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Psychoanalytic theory approaches personality from a viewpoint that is very different from that of trait theory. It holds that personality is shaped by unconscious forces.

Behaviorism

Behaviorism emphasizes the role of environmental factors in influencing behavior, to the near exclusion of innate or inherited factors.

Personality Tests

Personality tests are techniques designed to measure one’s personality. They are used to diagnose psychological problems as well as to screen candidates for college and employment.

See Also

• Psychology
• Trait theory
• Psychoanalytic theory
• Behaviorism
• Personality tests

References

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