Theodore Millon Theorist

I. Background
Premier personality psychologist, Theodore Millon has been described as the “primary architect for the personality disorders” that have appeared in every Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) edition since the third (Choca & Grossman, 2014, p. 541).
Millon’s biosocial model of personality also helped the American Psychiatric Association remain steadfast to its multi-axial system of diagnosis, upon which personality is Axis II (Millon & Grossman, 2015).
Million was also the architect of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI).
Millon’s personality theory is evolutionary and biosocial, and the theorist was undoubtedly influenced by the evolutionary biology theories of Charles Darwin (American Psychological Association, 2009).
A. Historical Overview
Millon was born in Manhattan in 1928, and was an only child. He died in 2014 (“Theodore Millon – obituary,” 2014).
He began studying psychology in undergraduate school and showed an early predilection towards the understanding of abnormal psychology and personality disorders (“Theodore Millon—obituary,” 2014).
At the time, mental asylums had “appalling” conditions and little was known about abnormal psychology or personality disorders at all (“Theodore Millon—obituary,” 2014, p. 1).
After early work in abnormal psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and the Allentown State Hospital, Millon became more interested in reforming the ways psychologists understood and treated various disorders (Theodore Millon—obituary,” 2014).
B. Historical Development
Millon’s biosocial and evolutionary theories have given rise to an understanding of personality that shows how human beings develop certain personality traits or clusters of traits.
Grossman was also dedicated to a “data-driven” model of personality, and he employed a deductive methodology of studying personality (Grossman, 2015, p. 437). These methods helped Millon develop personality inventories like the MCMI.
Grossman’s early research gave rise to both the biosocial and evolutionary approaches to personality disorders, which show how a person’s personality is a function of both biological factors but also environmental ones.
C. Key Concepts
The evolutionary principles guiding human personality development include the three primary aims: the existence aim, the adaptation aim, and the replication aim, with a fourth later added called the abstraction aim (Grossman, 2015).
There are several functional domains in which personality is manifest: expressive emotion, interpersonal conduct, cognitive style, and intrapsychic dynamics (Grossman, 2015). These domains are how personality may be assessed and classified.
The main structural domains of personality include self image, intrapsychic content, intrapsychic architecture, and mood or temperament (Grossman, 2015).
There are 15 main personality types, and each has sub-types. Therefore, a person is not expected to rigidly adhere to all the elements of one personality type.
D. How the Theory Is Used Today
Millon’s personality theory has become fully entrenched in the gold standard of psychiatric diagnoses: the DSM. Therefore, the therapist does not need to use the MCMI to be relying heavily on Millon’s theory in clinical practice.
Most of the common personality disorders can interface with other clinical problems, allowing for multi-axial diagnosis.
Millon’s theories help clinicians to more effectively assess, diagnose, and most importantly to treat clients by targeting interventions according to personality.




References

American Psychological Association (2009). Evolutionary theory and psychology. http://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2009/05/sci-brief.aspx
Choca, J.P. & Grossman, S.D. (2014). Evolution of the Millon clinical multiaxial inventory. Journal of Personality Assessment 97(6): 541-549.
Grossman, S.D. (2015). Millon's Evolutionary Model of Personality Assessment: A Case for Categorical/Dimensional Prototypes, Journal of Personality Assessment, 97:5, 436-445
Millon, T. & Grossman, S. (2013). Evolution-Based Personality Theory. http://www.crossroadscounselingchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Evolution.pdf
Millon Personality Group (2015). Dr. Theodore Millon. http://www.millonpersonality.com/dr-millon/
“Theodore Millon – obituary,” (2014). The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10647042/Theodore-Millon-obituary.html