Personality There Are Several Personality

Personality

There are several personality theories in existence, focusing on the basic ideas of human behavior, and the origin of that behavior. Some believe personality is a result of DNA, some believe it is based on development, and some believe behaviors and personality are unconscious ramifications of conflicts within a person. This paper will focus on a theory based in the idea that personality is a product of one's interactions with their environment, and his or her experiences.

The first issue when discussing a personality theory is discussing the basis for behaviors. I believe the primary source for behavior is the experience in life an individual encounters, including both past experiences and future goals. As an individual develops, he or she encounters a variety of experiences that shape the belief system of the individual (Gold, 1989). These experiences and belief system, in turn, cause specific behaviors which combine to form a person's personality. This personality, then, forms one's concept of the self. This concept focuses on creating behaviors and actions that are in tune with the belief system and personality structure of the individual (Cottingham, 2004). As an individual experiences new situations or is exposed to new stimuli, his or her sense of self can be altered, thereby causing a change of behavior.

This type of theory is clearly supported by the unique traits of individuals from similar backgrounds, cultures, or even families. Psychologist Gordon Allport defined these as central traits, which he claimed were the specific traits that predominate one's personality (Hammond, 2003). These traits can include how individuals react to fear, or anger, or how one acts around other individuals, and are shaped in the same way as the personality. In fact, these traits help to make up the personality and behavior set of any individual, in that the traits a person expresses are simply an outward display of inner beliefs (Hammond, 2003). While individuals may have some similar traits, it is nearly impossible to find two individuals who have identical beliefs, traits, and behaviors. This supports the concept that personality is based on experience, since each person, even those with similar backgrounds, have different experiences, thereby explaining different personalities.

The concept of personality based on experience is also supported when one examines the area of interactions with others. Altruism, or the focus to help others without reward, is rare in individuals. Psychologist Kurt Lewin's theory of altruism stated that one learned giving behaviors by experience (Batson, 1991). Research shows that those who experience situations in which they witness altruism often perform similar behaviors (Batson, 1991). Additionally, research shows those who grow up in high crime areas are more likely to commit crime (Batson, 1991). This again supports the idea that our interactions with others are based on our personalities which are shaped by our experiences.

The idea that personality is based on experience is also supported when one examines motivation. Research has shown that motivation is based on external rewards, rather than internal rewards (Wasserman, 1997). Ivan Pavlov showed through hit experiments with rats and dogs that animals can learn behaviors by experiencing specific circumstances. For example, Pavlov taught dogs to respond unconsciously to the sound of a bell simply through repeated experience (Wasserman, 1997). Further, research on music theory has shown that students who receive higher praise or rewards for improved skills consistently outperform those who do not (Madsen, 2003). Such information suggests that motivation, a component of personality, is based on experiences with the rewards for specific behaviors.

The concept that personality is based on experience suggests theorists such as Freud who suggest individuals are evil by nature, are incorrect. Since our experiences shape who we are, as even Freud pointed out (Nicholi, 2002), one becomes evil or good as a result of his or her life experiences. He or she does not consciously choose this alignment, but rather reacts to the alignment his or her experiences create. Thus, behaviors are not always conscious, but can simply be unconscious reactions to external forces, such as social, economic, or biological aspects. This is not to say one can not choose behavior, but rather, that he or she may not be consciously aware of all personality aspects. Our choices drive our alignment, but our experiences shape the basis for the start of that alignment.