Essay, Research Paper: Personality Psychology

It s been stated,
The concept of personality is a broad one. The personality theorist has an interest in what individual human beings think, feel and do including how the social situation affects and is affected by the individual. Personality theory is concerned not only with differences between individuals, but also with the basic processes of adaptation through which people interact with the conditions of their lives (Ehrenreich 33).
The development of personality has long been an area of extreme interest to psychologists and psychoanalysts alike. Because of this, many different theories of personality have developed over the years. From Sigmund Freud to B.F. Skinner, everyone seems to have not only an opinion of what personality is and how it develops but also an idea as to what is the best way to measure and report their findings. In order to test their theories, it was necessary to formulate methods of research that were effective, ethical and would provide a solid foundation for future personality research.
Personality Psychology is the study of the whole person. The practice of psychology, which stems from a portion of philosophy that addresses the issue of behaviorism, evolved into a significant discipline of its own. Psychology eventually came to represent the very essence of mental performance and therefore, personality theory. Throughout history, there have been a number of modifications that have altered the direction of psychology as a discipline. However, this has not deterred the ongoing realization that there may be more to a particular personality theory than what has been passed down by the masters .
In studying personality psychology there are four major themes used. Those are intrapsychic mysteries, interactive episodes, interpretive structures, and interpersonal stories. Intrapsychic mysteries are based upon our unconscious. It focuses on the forces in our daily lives that we are unaware of. Interactive episodes is a theme that measures our interactions between person and environment. Interpretive structures deals with the importance of creating meaning for oneself. It tries to understand how things are interpreted within us and then communicated with others. Interpersonal stories deals with our life span development and understands oneself in terms of relationships.
I believe that one s personality develops over a period of time. As one goes through life, they learn many new things which are developed and intertwined into your personality. For example, from birth it requires external stimulation in order for one to learn how to become negative and angry. People aren t just born to hate things or be angry with people. It s something that happens during their lifetime that makes them feel that way. For example, parents of a child are prejudice against homosexuals and blacks and anytime either of those words are said something negative is said against them. This child then subsequently grows up thinking that there is something wrong with homosexuals and blacks, that they are bad or disgusting people. Now this child is prejudice. This child wasn t born hating people but because of what he was taught and the environment in which he grew up, now he does. I think the environment in which you grow up is very much a part of who you are and the way your personality develops.