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Six Major Tenants of Personality Theory

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Six Major Tenants of Personality Theory
Six Major Tenants of Personality Theory
Karissa Stuart
Liberty University

Abstract
This paper will review the six major tenants of personality theory. The first discussed are the foundations of psychology, which are: nature versus nurture, the unconscious, and view of self. Each of these foundations are important to the development of a psychologically healthy person. Nature versus nurture is a long time debated concept within psychology that argues whether a person’s behaviors are derived from genetics and what are derived from the things we learn. The unconscious is a part of the mind that humans are unaware of, but it is responsible for dreams, sexual desires, and even aggression. The view of self is important because it is how an individual sees themselves. Second the progression of psychology such as development, motivation, and maturation will be discussed. Each of these plays a huge role in the field of psychology and that role will be discussed. Finally, in this paper we will delve into how these things are biblically integrated and how each principle is connected with biblical ideals and principles.

Six Major Tenants of Personality Theory Psychology as a whole is founded on several major tenants. Each of these things plays key roles in the development of a psychologically healthy person. There are three foundations of personality; Nature versus nurture, the unconscious, and the view of self. There are also three progressions of personality; development, motivation, and maturation. Even though there are many theorists who have different ideas on each of these, they all simplify to the same basic principles. Foundations of Personality
Nature versus Nurture The first foundation of psychology is nature versus nurture. Nature versus nurture is one of the oldest debated principles in psychology. The main idea behind nature versus nurture is basically a debate on what aspects of our behaviors are genetic



References: Ansbacher, H. L. (1982). Alfred Adler 's Views on the Unconscious.Individual Psychology: The Journal Of Adlerian Theory, Research & Practice, 38(1), 32. Bargh, J. A., & Morsella, E. (2008). The Unconscious Mind. Perspectives On Psychological Science (Wiley-Blackwell), 3(1), 73-79. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6916.2008.00064.x Campbell, J Ellenberger, H. (1970). The discovery of the unconscious: The history and evolution of dynamic psychiatry. New York: Basic Books. Francis, D., & Kaufer, D. (2011). Beyond nature vs. nurture. The Scientist, 25(10), 94. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/898435731?accountid=12085 Gottlieb, G Heller, D. A. (1998). Nature vs. nurture. English Journal, 87(3), 104. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/237284263?accountid=12085 How Motivation Is Affected by Personality López, J. C. (2002). Nature vs nurture. Nature Reviews.Neuroscience, 3(3), 171. Malerstein, A Salkind, N. J. (2008). Maturation. In N. J. Salkind & K. Rasmussen (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Educational Psychology (Vol. 2, pp. 639-640). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. Swann, W., Chang-Schneider, C., & Larsen McClarty, K. (2007). Do People 's Self-views Matter? Self-concept And Self-esteem In Everyday Life. American Psychologist, 62(2),84-94. White, W. A. (2013). The unconscious. Psychoanalytic Review, 100(1), 57-72. doi:http://dx.doi.org/101521prev2013100157

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