Personality Paper

American Psychological Association defines personality as individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. The different perspectives in analyzing ones personality are psychoanalytic, humanistic, trait, social cognitive, and biological.

Psychoanalytic perspective (commonly known as Freudian) mainly focuses on unconscious motivation. Freudians believe people are influenced by memories and feelings that are repressed in the subconscious mind.

In the humanistic perspective it is believed all people are naturally good and desire to be their best selves. Humanists believe that all living things have a need for self-actualization.

Trait perspective uses behavioral characteristics to determine intent or predict future behaviors. Because there are so many variables, psychologists use a factor analysis to link many qualities together to find an underlying trait.

Social Cognitive is a perspective that focuses on observational learning not just through reinforcements and punishments. A person’s behavior is not constant in any given circumstance but is based on situational cues.

Thousands of years ago there was a strong belief that a person’s genetic makeup determined their personality. According to the modern biological perspective brain anatomy and physiological mechanisms are largely related to personality.

It seems that no matter what perspective is used to view ones personality, there is no denying that our personalities are what sets us apart from others and what makes us who we are, or at least how others view us. With that being said, can personalities be changed? I believe that they can be changed. While some parts of you will always remain, your personality will change as you grow from childhood to an adult. Our life circumstances will change our personality as well. As we experience life we will learn and adjust accordingly, through trial and error or sometimes through pain. These changes usually come without a firm...