Personality Theories Personality Is a

Personality Theories Personality is a set of characteristics that influences the way a person thinks and behaves in numerous situations. It also influences the person's motivations. Over the years, there have been different theoretical approaches in understanding personality. One perspective proposes personality to be shaped by an individual's interpersonal interactions and relationships (Cardillo, 1998). Another perspective proposes that personality is a direct or indirect result of genetics. This perspective holds that chemical, experiential, interpersonal, biological, and social factors all affect personality.

Buss and Plomin presented a theory on inherited personality traits, proposing the "existence of four basic temperament dimensions present in human beings" (McAdams as cited in Cardillo, 1998). These four basic temperament dimensions, which are modified and shaped by social environment, are emotionality, activity, impulsivity, and sociability. Another perspective on personality is proposed by Sigmund Freud. According to Beystehner (1998), Freud's proposes the idea that "the instincts are the ultimate cause of all behavior." These two basic instincts, which are unconscious, are called Eros or love and destructive or death instinct.

"The purpose of Eros is to establish and preserve the unity through relationships. On the other hand, the purpose of the death instinct is to undo connections and unity via destruction." (Beystehner, 1998) According to Freud's theory, the act of breastfeeding is a child's the initial encounter with intimate behavior. This encounter provides the child both nourishment and pleasure which therefore reduces the tension brought about by the hunger drive.

Freud proposes that the engagement in such activity "serves as the prototype for relationships that develop later on in life." (Cardillo, 1998) Bowlby and Ainsworth provide another perspective in personality.

According to them, "the love between a mother and an infant is the result of an attachment bond formed during the first year of life." (Cardillo, 1998) Personality is the result of the "interactions between a child and his or her mother." (Cardillo, 1998) A mother's or a caregiver's sensitivity and responsiveness to the child lead to a child's development of a secure attachment style. Children with a secure attachment style are said too be confident and at ease in relating to other people.

Personality is also said to be influenced by an individual's interaction with his or her peers. In the Attachment Theory that Bowlby and Ainsworth proposes, it is said that "parent-child bonds are the most important in forming the child's personality." (Lee, 2003) In opposition to Bowlby and Ainsworth, J.R Harris "believes that parent do not shape their child's personality or character" (Lee, 2003) rather, it is the child's peers who hold more influence on the child.

According to Harris, children do not use all the information they have learned from their parents. In general, children behave in the manner which they have learned from people in their social group. According to Haimowitz, family environment does not contribute much to a child personality and his or her risk for a disorder such as schizophrenia.

In a study conducted among adopted-away children whose biological mothers suffered from schizophrenia, results show that "several of the adopted away children of schizophrenic mothers suffered from schizophrenia themselves, while the adoptees whose parents didn't have schizophrenia also did not have schizophrenia themselves" (Haimowitz, 2005). This study espouses the theory that environment does not play a big role in an individual's personality rather biological influences or genetics play an important part. There also exists a theoretical perspective which views personality as a result of biological responses.

The PEN model advocated by Eysenck provides a three -dimensional description of personality by looking into "psychophysiological, hormonal, and other biological mechanisms responsible for the personality dimensions." (Jang, 1998) According to Popkins (1998), how others treat an individual affects a person's personality. Moreover, appearance also affects a person's personality because "physical appearance affects the environment that in turn affects personality." (Popkins, 1998) Popkins.