Comparing the Major Personality Theories

Personality Theory Key Proponents Assumptions View of Personality

Emotional disorders spring
from unconscious dynamics, Personality consists of
such as unresolved sexual pleasure-seeking impulses
and other childhood (the id), a reality-oriented
Psychoanalytic Freud
conflicts, and fixation at executive (the ego), and an
various developmental internalized set of ideals
stages. Defenses (the superego)
mechanisms fend off anxiety.
The unconscious and
Adler The dynamic interplay of
conscious minds interact.
conscious and unconscious
Psychodynamic Horney Childhood experiences and
motives and conflicts shape
Jung defense mechanisms are
our personality.
important.
If our basic human needs
are met, people will strive
toward self-actualization.
Rather than examining the
Rogers In a climate of
struggles of sick people, it’s
Humanistic Maslow better to focus on the ways
unconditional positive
regard, we can develop
people strive for realization.
self-awareness and a more
realistic and positive self-
concept.
Scientific study of traits has
isolated important
Allport We have certain stable and dimensions of personality,
Eysenck enduring characteristics, such as the Big Five traits
Trait McCrae influenced by genetic (conscientiousness,
Costa predispositions. agreeableness,
neuroticism, openness, and
extraversion)
Conditioning and
Our traits and the social
Social- Bandura observational learning
context interact to produce
Cognitive our behaviors.
interact with cognition to
create behavior patterns.