Behavioral, Social-Cognitive, and Humanistic Personality Theories

Matrix

Personality Theories

Criterion How does each theory:

Define personality and how personalities develop

Explain intelligence and creativity

Contribute to your personal and professional growth

Define how your environment and past experiences play a part in your personality

Identify with your basic human needs

View behavior motivation of yourself and others

Describe how your personality is affected by human observation

Behavioral perspective

Emphasizes the role of learning in shaping our personality. According to this perspective, our early experiences play a significant role in shaping our personality. In other words, behaviors are learned. Over time, these learned behaviors become part of our personality.

Intelligence and creativity are both products of learning. People can get smarter as they learn more and can become more creative as they gain new experiences. Intelligence and creativity represent the acquisition and use of knowledge and skills.

It has helped me to better understand my own behavior and the behavior of others. I have been able to more effectively manage my own behavior and the behavior of those around me. Second, it has helped me to develop more effective intervention strategies

The behavioral perspective is based on the idea that all behavior is learned and can be explained in terms of environmental factors. Thus, my environment has shaped my experiences, which in turn have shaped my personality; I am who I am because of all that.

My behavior is determined by basic needs, such as the need for food, water, and shelter....

When these needs are not met, I engage in behaviors that will help me to survive. For example, if I am thirsty, I will seek out water; if I am hungry, I will look for food (p. 274)

The behavioral perspective of motivation looks at the reinforcement and punishment of behaviors. From this perspective, we look at what behaviors are being reinforced or punished and how this affects the motivation of the individual to satisfy some basic biological or psychological needs (p. 274).

Human observation can affect my personality by providing feedback that can reinforce or change my behavior, whether through negative or positive criticism for instance. Observations can also provide information that can help me understand my own behavior.

Social-cognitive perspective

Theoretical framework that emphasizes...

…accepting of people from different backgrounds.

The humanistic perspective believes that all humans have basic needs that must be met in order to live a fulfilling life. These needs include the need for love, belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. The humanistic perspective seeks to identify and meet these needs in order to help people achieve their fullest potential.

The humanistic perspective views behavior motivation as being largely determined by a person's need to fulfill their own desires and maximize their own potential. This perspective emphasizes personal growth and autonomy, and believes that people are naturally motivated to behave in ways that are self-fulfilling and satisfying.

my personality is affected by how I am observed by others. I am likely to change the way I behave or the things I say in order to please or impress the people watching me. I may also try to act in a way that is consistent with their expectations of me.