Dispositional Theory Research Paper
Dispositional, Biological, And Evolutionary Theory Article
PSY 405
Dispositional and Evolutionary Psychology Personality Theory have come a long way and now we have a better understanding. Many psychologists, researchers’ and students have based their work on previous work by their peers, but have been constantly making changes and improving the same ideas and so on. Comparing dispositional and evolutionary theories indicates the similarities and differences between them as well as strengths and weaknesses. With the use of these theories has led to research and tests, like the big five, which help with identify personality characteristics of people.
Dispositional personality theory stems from the fact that your nature, meaning your …show more content…
genetics and hereditary, have relatively permanent effects on how an individual presents themselves to the world. Gordon Allport believed that Dispositional characteristics of an individual surfaces as traits and factors of personality. Some of these traits in particular are cardinal; in essence they are visible to all people and are not hidden. And others, however, are subtle can would be only seen during stressful situations. Dispositional theory in affect has a finite number of personality traits, which is measured, evaluated, and scrutinized. These traits allow individuals to function within a society, allowing for individuals to express their behavior.
Evolutionary Personality Theory basically tells us that all humans today come from an unbroken line of ancestors who accomplished two tasks: the ability to survive to reproductive age and also to reproduce. Human nature and human personality is made up of a collection of evolved mechanics. Adaptations are designed by evolutionary process to solve focused adaptive problems. Evolutionary psychology looks at humans not just from a psychoanalytical perspective, nor biological perspective, but also from both even environmental perspectives. (Feist, et al, 2013)
While writing this paper I have noticed that most of the theories mentioned all use the drives to motivate human behavior. Dispositional theory asserts that humans look ahead to the future for motivation. The theories above look at current events and objectives, as to looking to their past to establish their behavior. Evolutionary psychology looks at behavior as a result of evolutionary drives for sex and power. (Wilderdom.com, 2005) This is similar to Freud’s views on sex and aggression, instead focusing on subconscious thought and is not based on an evolutionary need to adjust and overcome.
The challenge for these theories is to be methodically tested.
Dispositional theory have given researchers, psychologists and students a better understanding in the field of personality and very useful setting off work on personality tests, but these have weaknesses’ as well. Dispositional theories rely on honest reporting of the individuals being tested, along with clear communcation during testing. (Westmont.edu, 2002) Perception plays a key role in an individuals answers or how they interpret the questions. An example would be in an individual’s idea of going out may differ from another individuals. Dispositional theories doe not explain to why characteristics are exhibited. (Westmont.edu, 2002) It is more philosophical than scientific in their types of study and receives criticism from the psychology community.
While Evolutionary theory looks at different factors such as; environment, childhood moments, but in doing apply things with evolution. An example is when evolutionary psychology looks more at companion preferences as determined by what individuals see as good for reproduction; not the Oedipus complex as noted by Freud’s theory. One of the weaknesses of evolutionary psychology is that psychology is constantly changing; evolutionary psychology can hypothesize why behavior exists, but does not help to identify future
behavior.
The five factor model gave psychologists the ability to address two main issues in personality analysis. It linked various personality tests and to pare down the number or factors on personality tests. The five factors asks questions to the individual that place between two poles between 5 factors. The factors are considered bi-polar where they are represented with extremes of one another. (Feist, et al, 2013)
By giving us a better understanding to personality, there are connections between a person who designed the theory and the theory on its own. Dispositional theory gave us a broader understanding personality than previous beliefs and theories which allowed us to understand the field. Evolutionary psychology will keep on changing, especially since we now have a basis on where to begin the research.
References
Feist, G.J., Fesit, J, & Roberts, T.A., (2013). Theories of Personality. New York, NY. McGraw-Hill
Westmont.edu.(2002). Theories of Personality. Westmont College. Retrieved from: http://www.westmont.edu/~bsmith/general/lectureoutlines/15personality/dispositional.html
Wilderdom.com. (2005). Major Themes & Underlying Assumptions of Personality. Retrieved from: http://www.wilderdom.com/personality/personality.html
PSY 405
Dispositional and Evolutionary Psychology Personality Theory have come a long way and now we have a better understanding. Many psychologists, researchers’ and students have based their work on previous work by their peers, but have been constantly making changes and improving the same ideas and so on. Comparing dispositional and evolutionary theories indicates the similarities and differences between them as well as strengths and weaknesses. With the use of these theories has led to research and tests, like the big five, which help with identify personality characteristics of people.
Dispositional personality theory stems from the fact that your nature, meaning your …show more content…
genetics and hereditary, have relatively permanent effects on how an individual presents themselves to the world. Gordon Allport believed that Dispositional characteristics of an individual surfaces as traits and factors of personality. Some of these traits in particular are cardinal; in essence they are visible to all people and are not hidden. And others, however, are subtle can would be only seen during stressful situations. Dispositional theory in affect has a finite number of personality traits, which is measured, evaluated, and scrutinized. These traits allow individuals to function within a society, allowing for individuals to express their behavior.
Evolutionary Personality Theory basically tells us that all humans today come from an unbroken line of ancestors who accomplished two tasks: the ability to survive to reproductive age and also to reproduce. Human nature and human personality is made up of a collection of evolved mechanics. Adaptations are designed by evolutionary process to solve focused adaptive problems. Evolutionary psychology looks at humans not just from a psychoanalytical perspective, nor biological perspective, but also from both even environmental perspectives. (Feist, et al, 2013)
While writing this paper I have noticed that most of the theories mentioned all use the drives to motivate human behavior. Dispositional theory asserts that humans look ahead to the future for motivation. The theories above look at current events and objectives, as to looking to their past to establish their behavior. Evolutionary psychology looks at behavior as a result of evolutionary drives for sex and power. (Wilderdom.com, 2005) This is similar to Freud’s views on sex and aggression, instead focusing on subconscious thought and is not based on an evolutionary need to adjust and overcome.
The challenge for these theories is to be methodically tested.
Dispositional theory have given researchers, psychologists and students a better understanding in the field of personality and very useful setting off work on personality tests, but these have weaknesses’ as well. Dispositional theories rely on honest reporting of the individuals being tested, along with clear communcation during testing. (Westmont.edu, 2002) Perception plays a key role in an individuals answers or how they interpret the questions. An example would be in an individual’s idea of going out may differ from another individuals. Dispositional theories doe not explain to why characteristics are exhibited. (Westmont.edu, 2002) It is more philosophical than scientific in their types of study and receives criticism from the psychology community.
While Evolutionary theory looks at different factors such as; environment, childhood moments, but in doing apply things with evolution. An example is when evolutionary psychology looks more at companion preferences as determined by what individuals see as good for reproduction; not the Oedipus complex as noted by Freud’s theory. One of the weaknesses of evolutionary psychology is that psychology is constantly changing; evolutionary psychology can hypothesize why behavior exists, but does not help to identify future
behavior.
The five factor model gave psychologists the ability to address two main issues in personality analysis. It linked various personality tests and to pare down the number or factors on personality tests. The five factors asks questions to the individual that place between two poles between 5 factors. The factors are considered bi-polar where they are represented with extremes of one another. (Feist, et al, 2013)
By giving us a better understanding to personality, there are connections between a person who designed the theory and the theory on its own. Dispositional theory gave us a broader understanding personality than previous beliefs and theories which allowed us to understand the field. Evolutionary psychology will keep on changing, especially since we now have a basis on where to begin the research.
References
Feist, G.J., Fesit, J, & Roberts, T.A., (2013). Theories of Personality. New York, NY. McGraw-Hill
Westmont.edu.(2002). Theories of Personality. Westmont College. Retrieved from: http://www.westmont.edu/~bsmith/general/lectureoutlines/15personality/dispositional.html
Wilderdom.com. (2005). Major Themes & Underlying Assumptions of Personality. Retrieved from: http://www.wilderdom.com/personality/personality.html