Question

Describe the 8 basic perspectives used to define "personality"

Answer 1

The eight basic perspectives on personality are:

1. Psychoanalytic: This was developed by Freud and it argues that personality is formed through conflicts among 3 fundamental structures of human brain: the id, ego and superego.

2.Neo-analytic: Freud's psychoanalytic theory and work with psycho-sexual development lead to neo-analytic theory. This theory also believes in the importance of unconscious and dream interpretations.

3.Cognitive: It describes personality in terms of how a person thinks and reacts and responds to one's social environment.

4. Biological: This perspective explains that personality is determined by internal physiological and genetic factors.

5.Behaviorist: This perspective focuses on personality in the form of learning. It says that personality is determined by behavior.

6. Trait/skill: This perspective argues that personality can be determined by habitual patterns of behavior, thought and emotions. It observes the traits of a person.

7. Humanistic/existential: This perspective argues that personality is determined through self-realization and selfactualization. Humanists see a person's behavior not only through others' eyes but also through the person's eyes.

8. Person-situation interactionist: This perspective argues that personality is determined by the way a person reacts to a situation.