Theories of Personality Management
While there are several personality theories, there are those that are primary because they are commonly used and because they have a stronger argument. Some of the few that are discussed herein are Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, Erick Erickson’s theory, a theory by Carl Adler, and another by Karen Horney. All these theories explain how people develop a personality. When examined further, there are indicators that these theories have significant differences, even though some have similarities. The main difference between these theories is that some emphasize biological factors like genes as the central cause of the behavior. While others emphasize the environment or society as the central reason that shapes behaviour.
Introduction
For a long time, psychologists have wanted to know what influences human behaviour. As such, most of their studies on humans focused on understanding what influences human behaviour and temperament. At first, it was believed that internal factors like illnesses were responsible for personality traits. Further studies in the 20th century connected personality to the mind. Psychologists at this time began to examine some factors that influence the functioning of the mind. Biological traits like genes and even illnesses were considered significant to the development of the behaviour. Also, the environment was believed to influence how people form the worldview that determines their behaviours. Hence, this study examines the history of personality and personality theories. Within the discussion, evidence shows that these theories of personality have developed over the years, and today, they have shaped the way personality research and theories are developed. For instance, today, the mind is something studied by psychologists in various fields like criminology, education, and even in the working environment. It is believed that the influence of the mind determines how people behave. Also, the environment impacts the mind. This research also highlights the historical context of personality theories.
Literature review
The first major theory is the psychoanalytic theory by Sigmund Freud, which holds that human behaviour develops due to interaction between certain components of personality. Consistently, the theory by Erick Erickson holds that personality is shaped as people grow up and is dependent on social elements (De Vries et al., 2021). Carl Jung focused on the collective unconscious, psychological types, and archetypes. Another theory is by Alfred Adler, who believed that personality develops as people strive to improve through overcoming challenges. The other major one is Karen Horney’s theory, which emphasizes the importance of parenting and the role of the environment in shaping behaviour.
Subsequently, Freud’s psychoanalytic theory assumes that the environment affects growth and thus presents people with social and emotional conflicts that they should resolve. For this theory, personality has the id, which seeks pleasure; the ego, which holds to reality; and the superego, which has internalized ideas (Wrzus & Roberts, 2017). Jung, Adler, and Horney’s psychodynamic theory focuses on the mind, unlike Freud’s theory, which focuses on social factors. The theory assumes that the unconscious and conscious mind interact and childhood events impact personality. Like Freud’s theory, this theory also has some conflicts to be made, but they are not in stages like Freud’s theory (Olson, 2019). The psychodynamic theory holds that the interaction between conscious and unconscious desires and conflicts shapes behaviour. Then, the humanistic theory by Rogers Maslow suggests that healthy people should be assisted in achieving self-actualization. This theory holds that there are needs, that if they are met, a person can strive for self-actualization. Trait theory is another major theory by Allport, Eysenck, McCrae, and Costa. This theory is different from the others because it emphasizes the role of genetics on personality.
The three major principles associated with personality theories are behaviour consistency, trait stability, and individual differences. These principles mean that a person’s behaviour should have some consistency across different situations so that if one is an introvert, they are quiet both at home and away from home (Wrzus & Roberts, 2017). Also, these behaviours are expected to be stable in that the introvert can be quiet at age 16 and quiet at age 30. Finally, personality theories hold that people’s behaviour differs from one person to another.
A structured explanation of personality started in the Middle Ages when Greek philosophers like Galen connected personality to illnesses. Their theory claimed that blood, mucus, black bile, and yellow bile were four fluids dominant in the human body at different times and triggered by different illnesses. These fluids thus influenced temperament. In the 19th century, personality was separated from illnesses by Wilhelm Wundt, who argued that temperament was interchangeable and emotional (Olson, 2019). Sigmund Freud made advances and connected personality to the mind in which the id, ego, and superego were in constant battle (Jonkmann et al., 2014). Freud formed the foundation upon which psychologists began to form theories on personality that connected it to the mind and what goes into the mind from the environment (community). Psychologists also believe biological factors can influence personality since the mind is biological.
Notably, personality theory applies to current trends because many events and studies continuously show that the mind and biological factors impact personality. This explains why personality theories are applied in various areas like leadership, the workplace, criminal justice, and even the military.
Historically, scientists, especially psychologists, have been interested in understanding what controls human temperament. Their research was directed toward the human mind as the main source of human behaviour (De Vries et al., 2021). These historical findings greatly influence current trends in personality theories since present-day studies and theories in personality all connect behaviour to the brain and the environment.
Using the theories identified herein, it is evident that the development of personality across the lifespan is greatly influenced by human health as well as by the environment or society. For instance, mental issues like autism are a result of genetic factors as well as chromosomal conditions. Also, as children grow, the parenting style and the environment or they interact with help them interpret the world in their own way, which determines their personality (Olson, 2019). This is evident in Freud’s theory of development.
All major personality theories connect personality to experiences and interactions with the environment. Those theories that connect personality to biological factors limit their connections to a person’s genes (Jonkmann et al., 2014). Therefore, gender does not connect to personality in terms of these theories. However, the environment is believed to have a very strong impact on personality right from childhood. Thus, personality theories revolve around the argument that society is a major factor in various behaviours.
Conclusion
In wanting to know how human behaviour develops, psychologists have improved their understanding of human behaviour. The prevailing ideology is that human behaviour is influenced by the mind, which is affected by biological factors like genes and illnesses. Several theories on personality are discussed in this research, showing the wide scope of research in this area. Additionally, this research shows that these theories differ in their approach to explaining personality. Those theories emphasize the role of the environment on personality and those that rely fully on biological factors like genetics to explain the development of traits.
References
De Vries, J. H., Spengler, M., Frintrup, A., & Mussel, P. (2021). Personality Development in Emerging Adulthood-How the Perception of Life Events and Mindset Affect Personality Trait Change. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 671421. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.671421
Jonkmann K., Thoemmes F., Lüdtke O., & Trautwein U. (2014). Personality traits and living arrangements in young adulthood, selection and socialization. Dev. Psychol. 50, 683–698.10.1037/a0034239
Olson, M. H., Favero, D., & Hergenhahn, B. H. (2019). An Introduction to Theories of Personality (9th Edition). Pearson Education (US). (Login and Borrow the book for free)
Wrzus C., & Roberts B. (2017). Processes of personality development in adulthood: the TESSERA framework. Pers. Soc. Psychol. Rev. 21, 253–277.10.1177/1088868316652279
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Question 
Theories of Personality Management
Step 1: Write a double-spaced term paper (not including the title and reference pages) on cognitive personality perspectives.
Step 2: You will also need to find three additional scholarly articles on this personality perspective.
Step 3: When developing your paper, use the following competencies as a guide:
Identify, understand, and discuss the major theories of personality.
Compare and contrast the major theories of personality.
Discuss the major principles associated with personality theory.
Understand the historical context of personality theory development.
Discuss personality theory with regard to current trends.
Discuss the connection between historical and current trends in personality theory.
Evaluate the development of personality across the lifespan.
Analyze personality theory in the context of gender and environmental influences.
Step 4: Organize your paper to include these main sections:
Title page
Abstract (not more than 250 words)
Introduction
Literature review
Conclusion
Reference page(s)