Question

The Trait Paradigm

Consider one of the personality theories in your text for this week (I choose The Trait Paradigm). Also consider what the theorist for that theory would consider “deviant” behavior vs. “healthy” behavior. From your own experience, describe an example of this deviant or healthy behavior and tell why it is deviant or healthy according to the theory you have chosen. 

And in addition, write how this theory can be supported from a Christian perspective. I want you to write about Trait Paradigm as it relates to three theorists: Gordon Allport, Raymond B. Cattell and Hans J. Eysenck. You must also define character, temperament, type, as well as Allport’s concept of trait, functional autonomy, and the Healthy mature adult personality. The name of the book is “An Introduction to Theories of Personality Eighth Edition. The authors are: Matthew H. Olson B. R. Hergenhahn

The theory I’ve chosen is based on Allports, Cattell, Eysenck theory. These theorists’s views regarding the Trait Paradigm are discussed In the Book “An Introduction to Theories of Personality Eighth Edition /Matthew H. Olson B. R. Hergenhahn” specifically in chapter 7 and 8 

Answer

Human beings present different characters types depending on their personality. According to most theorists, the relatively stable and essential trait of behavior encompasses physical, emotional, social, and mental characteristics that are either observable or unobservable (Cherry, 2017). This essay focuses on “The Trait Paradigm,” one of the personality theories which stresses a surface-oriented attitude to personality. Proposed by three theorists: Raymond B, Hans J Eysenck, and Gordon Allport, the Trait perspective is based on empirical research (Ewen, 2003).

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According to Gordon W. Allport, personality results from an organized pressure from an individual which takes the form of ambition and friendliness. On the other hand, Eysenck believes that people are born with traits which they alter as they grow.The theorist considers character as one’s predisposition to react or responds in a similar manner (Darroch, 1937). In the theorists’ view, temperament is the ability to behave in a way that balances the society`s expectation and natural behavior portrayed by an individual, doing things in moderation. Type encompasses the different behavioral traits exhibited by different people based on various factors influencing behavior.

Allport’s concept of a trait initiates and guides a consistency in behavior.Functional autonomy is a situation where the drive becomes distinct and autonomous from the motive. Gordon illustrates functional autonomy to a person who strives to perfect a task. Lastly, the healthy mature adult personality indicates that as an individual`s personality matures, it grows beyond the self, to acceptably relating with others.

Trait Paradigm theory would consider unsociable behaviors such as irritability, feeling stressed and anxiety as deviant behavior. A healthy behavior entails the ability to have a loving and compassionate relationship that lacks jealousy and possessiveness.

From my experience, an example of a deviant behavior is one manifested by a person who is irritable and fights over trivial issues. Mistakenly addressing the individual without referring to the title “Sir,” makes them initiate a fight. This irritable behavior is deviant because search a person cannot live at peace with most people since they will not be able to accommodate their weakness hence irritability is a social norm.

The Trait paradigm can be supported from a Christian perspective. For instance, Christianity advocates that one’s behavior should not be a reflection of one’s childhood but rather, of teachings from the bible. Religion shapes believers’ actions by steering them away from deviant behavior search as despair and anxiety.

References

Cherry, K. (2017). What Is the Trait Theory of Personality? Psychology: Personality Development.

Darroch, J. (1937). Personality: A Psychological Interpretation. Journal of Social Psychology, 588.

Ewen, R. B. (2003). An Introduction to The Theories of Personality sixth Edition. London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.