UTS - Allport’s Personality [Trait] Theory
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Gordon W. Allport was an influential American psychologist who developed a personality theory emphasizing both biological and environmental influences on personality. He introduced the concept of traits as fundamental characteristics that shape an individual's behavior, classifying them into cardinal, central, and secondary traits. His idea of 'functional autonomy' suggested that while personality is influenced by birth, it can evolve independently through experiences.
![Gordon W. Allport
11 Nov 1897 – 9 Oct 1967
▪ American psychologist and educator who developed his
own theory of personality, at a time when behavioral
psychology (by Watson) was commonplace in
psychology departments, and psychoanalytic theory (by
Freud) dominated elsewhere.
▪ He promoted a view that considers both biological
approach and environmental experience of a person.
▪ “[W]e [must] keep psychology from becoming a cult from
which original and daring inquiry is ruled out by the
application of one-sided tests of method.
References:
1) https://psychology.fas.harvard.edu/people/gordon-w-allport
2) https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gordon-W-Allport](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/allportspersonalitytheory-211004232327/85/UTS-Allport-s-Personality-Trait-Theory-2-320.jpg)
![The Personality Trait Theory
▪ In his personality trait theory, Allport asserted that every person possesses “traits”.
▪ He proposed that a trait is your essential characteristic that never changes and sticks
with you throughout your life, and that these traits shape who you are in any given day.
▪ He also believed that while personality is determined at birth, when molded by
environment and own experiences, they become independent from it. He called it
“functional autonomy”.
▪ In his 1961 thesis, he stated that “[M]an is not a reactive robot but a being with unique
potential for growth and a revision of his argument regarding functional autonomy.”
References:
1) Allport, G. W. (1961). Pattern and growth in personality.
2) Hall, C. S., Lindzey, G., & Campbell, J. B. (1957). Theories of personality (No. 04; BF698, H3.). New York: Wiley.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/allportspersonalitytheory-211004232327/85/UTS-Allport-s-Personality-Trait-Theory-3-320.jpg)
![Hierarchy of Personality Traits
Allport started his trait theory by searching and noting every term in the dictionary that describes a
personality trait. In the end, he compiled a list of 4,504 different traits, which he organized into
three (3) tier groups:
▪ Cardinal traits. These dominate a person’s entire character. They are rare and only develop
later in life. [e.g., Hitler’s animosity towards Jews]
▪ Central traits. These form a person’s common qualities. They are used to understand a
person’s behavior. [e.g., kindliness to strangers]
▪ Secondary traits. These only exhibit under certain situations. They can be easily altered than
central traits. [e.g., getting tense before reporting]
References:
1) https://www.verywellmind.com/gordon-allport-biography-2795508
2) https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-cardinal-traits-2794966](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/allportspersonalitytheory-211004232327/85/UTS-Allport-s-Personality-Trait-Theory-4-320.jpg)
UTS - Allport’s Personality [Trait] Theory
- 2. Gordon W. Allport 11 Nov 1897 – 9 Oct 1967 ▪ American psychologist and educator who developed his own theory of personality, at a time when behavioral psychology (by Watson) was commonplace in psychology departments, and psychoanalytic theory (by Freud) dominated elsewhere. ▪ He promoted a view that considers both biological approach and environmental experience of a person. ▪ “[W]e [must] keep psychology from becoming a cult from which original and daring inquiry is ruled out by the application of one-sided tests of method. References: 1) https://psychology.fas.harvard.edu/people/gordon-w-allport 2) https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gordon-W-Allport
- 3. The Personality Trait Theory ▪ In his personality trait theory, Allport asserted that every person possesses “traits”. ▪ He proposed that a trait is your essential characteristic that never changes and sticks with you throughout your life, and that these traits shape who you are in any given day. ▪ He also believed that while personality is determined at birth, when molded by environment and own experiences, they become independent from it. He called it “functional autonomy”. ▪ In his 1961 thesis, he stated that “[M]an is not a reactive robot but a being with unique potential for growth and a revision of his argument regarding functional autonomy.” References: 1) Allport, G. W. (1961). Pattern and growth in personality. 2) Hall, C. S., Lindzey, G., & Campbell, J. B. (1957). Theories of personality (No. 04; BF698, H3.). New York: Wiley.
- 4. Hierarchy of Personality Traits Allport started his trait theory by searching and noting every term in the dictionary that describes a personality trait. In the end, he compiled a list of 4,504 different traits, which he organized into three (3) tier groups: ▪ Cardinal traits. These dominate a person’s entire character. They are rare and only develop later in life. [e.g., Hitler’s animosity towards Jews] ▪ Central traits. These form a person’s common qualities. They are used to understand a person’s behavior. [e.g., kindliness to strangers] ▪ Secondary traits. These only exhibit under certain situations. They can be easily altered than central traits. [e.g., getting tense before reporting] References: 1) https://www.verywellmind.com/gordon-allport-biography-2795508 2) https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-cardinal-traits-2794966