Theories of Personality

• What is the primary focus of personality theory in psychology?

  To understand and explain the patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make each individual unique.
• What questions does personality theory explore?

  Why people differ in behavior, what causes these differences, and how they can be measured and understood.
• From which language does the term 'personality' originate, and what did it refer to?

  It originated from the Latin word 'persona', which referred to a theatrical mask worn by Roman actors.
• How is personality defined in terms of traits and characteristics?

  As a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that provide consistency and individuality to behavior.
• What role do traits play in personality?

  They contribute to individual differences in behavior, consistency of behavior over time, and stability of behavior across situations.
• What are characteristics in the context of personality?

  Unique qualities of an individual, including attributes such as temperament, physique, and intelligence.
• How is a theory defined in psychology?


  A systematically organized and coherent set of principles or propositions that aim to explain and predict a particular aspect of the world.
• What is the primary objective of a theory?

  To provide a structured framework that helps researchers understand complex phenomena and establish causal relationships.
• What are the components of a theory?

  1. Concepts: Building blocks representing abstract ideas.
  2. Variables: Measurable aspects of concepts, can be independent or dependent.
  3. Hypotheses: Testable propositions stating expected relationships between variables.
  4. Assumptions: Foundational beliefs guiding the theory.
  5. Laws: Universally accepted statements describing observed regularities.
• What are concepts in the context of a theory?

  Concepts are the building blocks of a theory, representing abstract ideas, objects, or events.
• What are variables in a theory?

  Variables are measurable aspects of concepts used to operationalize abstract ideas into concrete terms.
• What is the role of hypotheses in a theory?

  Hypotheses are specific, testable propositions derived from a theory that state the expected relationship between variables.
• What are assumptions in the context of a theory?


  Assumptions are foundational beliefs or principles that underpin a theory and guide the development of its components.
• What are laws in the context of a theory?

  Laws are universally accepted statements that describe observed regularities in nature.
• What is the significance of theory in research?

  • Guidance for Research: Provides a roadmap for formulating hypotheses and designing experiments.
  • Explanatory Power: Explains why and how phenomena occur.
  • Predictive Value: Enables anticipation of future events and outcomes.
  • Communication and Consensus: Serves as a common language in academia.
  • Progress and Innovation: Drives progress by challenging existing ideas.
• What does it mean for a theory to be falsifiable?

  It means there must be a way to test the theory and potentially prove it wrong through empirical evidence.
• Who introduced the concept of falsifiability in scientific theories?

  Karl Popper.
• What does it mean for a theory to be parsimonious?

  It means the theory is simple and concise while explaining a wide range of phenomena.
• What is Occam's Razor in relation to theories?

  It suggests that among competing hypotheses, the simplest explanation is often the best.
• What are the dimensions for a concept of humanity?

  1. Determinism Versus Free Choice
  2. Pessimism Versus Optimism
  3. Causality Versus Teleology
  4. Conscious Versus Unconscious Determinants
  5. Biological Versus Social Factors
  6. Uniqueness Versus Similarities in People
• What does the dimension of Determinism Versus Free Choice explore?

  It explores the extent to which behavior is determined by external factors versus individual agency and choice.
• What does the dimension of Pessimism Versus Optimism examine?

  It examines whether human nature is inherently negative and destructive or positive and constructive.
• What is the difference between Causality and Teleology in the context of human actions?

  Causality refers to cause-and-effect relationships, while Teleology suggests purpose and intentionality behind actions.
• What does the dimension of Conscious Versus Unconscious Determinants consider?

  It considers the influence of conscious thought versus unconscious processes in shaping behavior.
• What does the dimension of Biological Versus Social Factors examine?

  It examines the impact of biological factors versus social factors on shaping human nature.
• What does the dimension of Uniqueness Versus Similarities in People address?

  It addresses whether there are inherent qualities that make individuals unique or if there are fundamental similarities among humans.
• What was Freud's understanding of human personality based on?

  His experiences with patients, analysis of his own dreams, and readings in various sciences and humanities.
• Why did Freud insist that psychoanalysis could not be subjected to eclecticism?

  Because disciples who deviated from his basic ideas were ostracized by him.
• What was a limitation of Freud's research methods?

  He relied more on deductive reasoning than on rigorous research methods and had a small sample size.
• What was Sigmund Freud's full name and lifespan?

  Sigismund (Sigmund) Freud, 1856-1939.
• Where was Sigmund Freud born?

  Freiberg, Moravia (now Příbor, Czech Republic).
• How many siblings did Freud have?

  He was the first of eight children.
• What were the professions of Freud's parents?

  His father was a wool merchant and his mother was a homemaker.
• What type of relationship did Freud have with his mother?

  He had a warm, indulgent relationship with her.
• How long did Freud live in the Austrian capital?

  Nearly 80 years.
• What forced Freud to emigrate to London?

  The Nazi invasion in 1938.
• When did Freud die?

  September 23, 1939.
• What feelings did Freud harbor towards his younger brother Julius?

  He felt hostility and had an unconscious wish for his death.
• What was Freud's initial intention when entering the University of Vienna Medical School?

  He had no intention of practicing medicine.
• Why did Freud believe his academic advancement opportunities were limited?

  Because he was a Jew.