Application of Personality Theories
Application of Personality Theories
John Jay D 'Amour
Theories of Personality
Prof. Osborne
December 18, 2006
Without theories about personality and the complexity of its nature it would be difficult if not impossible to help those who suffer from behavior related problems. Throughout the years different perspectives regarding this type of therapy have been formulated in an effort to understand and treat people experiencing difficulties related to their ability to function as a member of society. By studying the personality and traits displayed by a patient; counselors, psychiatrists, and social workers can determine the source of negative personality aspects and utilize different approaches directed towards their resolution. However, no two personalities are the same, therefore the methods used to treat each individual case are equally as diverse. It is then the responsibility of the therapist to determine which theoretical perspective is best suited to the patient. In regards to the application of theoretical perspectives to counseling and therapy, the Dispositional perspective approach is considered the most basic and fundamental. Based on the study of people 's dispositions and their ability to maintain the same set of qualities throughout their lifetime this perspective enables a practitioner to measure and predict the future behavior of a patient. The constancy displayed amongst patients can be categorized into groups known as types and traits. A type can be defined as "distinct and discontinuous categories of persons" (Carver & Scheier, 2004). In other words personality types would be obvious as well as exclusive to the person in question. For example, a person regarded as having a type A personality would display qualities of aggressive behavior and an overall impatient demeanor. It is unlikely that this same person could also be submissive and capable of being calm. While the grouping of personality types is mainly concerned with the
John Jay D 'Amour
Theories of Personality
Prof. Osborne
December 18, 2006
Without theories about personality and the complexity of its nature it would be difficult if not impossible to help those who suffer from behavior related problems. Throughout the years different perspectives regarding this type of therapy have been formulated in an effort to understand and treat people experiencing difficulties related to their ability to function as a member of society. By studying the personality and traits displayed by a patient; counselors, psychiatrists, and social workers can determine the source of negative personality aspects and utilize different approaches directed towards their resolution. However, no two personalities are the same, therefore the methods used to treat each individual case are equally as diverse. It is then the responsibility of the therapist to determine which theoretical perspective is best suited to the patient. In regards to the application of theoretical perspectives to counseling and therapy, the Dispositional perspective approach is considered the most basic and fundamental. Based on the study of people 's dispositions and their ability to maintain the same set of qualities throughout their lifetime this perspective enables a practitioner to measure and predict the future behavior of a patient. The constancy displayed amongst patients can be categorized into groups known as types and traits. A type can be defined as "distinct and discontinuous categories of persons" (Carver & Scheier, 2004). In other words personality types would be obvious as well as exclusive to the person in question. For example, a person regarded as having a type A personality would display qualities of aggressive behavior and an overall impatient demeanor. It is unlikely that this same person could also be submissive and capable of being calm. While the grouping of personality types is mainly concerned with the
References: Carver, C., Sheier, M., Perspectives on Personality, Pearson, Boston MA, 2004