Demeritsįeist criticized Allport’s theory saying that it is grounded more in philosophical speculations and common sense than in scientific research. This characteristic of Allport’s theory helps understand the structure of personality more scientifically.Īllport’s idiographic approach to personality research is quite praiseworthy as it aids understanding and detailed analysis of personality.Īllport made an important contribution to the field of psychology through his explanation of personality in terms of traits. The motivations and behaviour of an individual can be better understood in the present and future. For this reason, this theory gained much importance and recognition among academic psychologists.Īccording to Allport present and future are more important in understating personality than the past of an individual. EVALUATION OF ALLPORT’S THEORYĪ careful analysis of the theory reveals certain merits and demerits which are: MeritsĪllport developed his personality theory in academic settings instead of psychoanalytic settings. For example, hairstyle, dressing sense, eating pattern or preferences etc. These traits are of not much help in explaining the personality. These traits of a person are less consistent, less explicit and less meaningful for the person and hence are called secondary traits. Waste anyone’s time, will be always straightforward and deal directly with his employer and employees and would ensure that nothing is wasted and will make sure others do not waste anything and whenever someone comes for help would be generous enough to offer help and solve the problem. Such a person will be always on time to the office, and keep the scheduled meetings on time and never will ![]() Let us take an example of a person who has the traits of honesty, punctuality, parsimony, cleanliness and generosity. These traits actually define the personality of a person. ![]() These are not equivalent to cardinal traits but one can assess the personality of an individual in terms of these traits. ![]() This is found in all persons and one can have 5 to 10 central dispositions. The message of peace and nonviolence was explicitly seen in whatever Mahatma Gandhi did in his life, whether at home or abroad. For example, Mahatma Gandhi hadĪ firm belief and conviction in peace and non-violence. Such traits have an overriding and overwhelming influence on the behaviour of a person in that they manifest themselves in all that a person does and guides the behaviour of that person. Similarly, he would be very careful not to waste paper and will use it for rough work on side pages in the office as well as at home.Īllport further divided personal traits into three subcategories: He will for example put off the lights to economies on electricity consumption whether at the office or at home. ![]() To give an example, a trait of parsimony is something which an individual will show in almost every aspect of his behaviour whether he is at home or office or school or anywhere. Another important aspect is that these traits are highly consistent and can be seen in almost all behaviours of this individual irrespective of the situation concerned. These traits are inculcated by a person more in the process of socialisation and thus many of the do’s and don’ts of the parents or caregivers become part of the personality and these traits are unique to this individual. Such a personal trait is not comparable with those of others in that culture. This refers to the unique characteristics of a person and not shared by other members of the society or community or culture. Common traits thus are those which are reflected in the behaviour of most of the persons in a society or a community or culture. If X shows a trait of cooperativeness in his behaviours in various situations, and if similar behaviours are obtained in a large number of persons from that community or culture, this trait will be considered a common Trait. Thus people of a society or culture can be compared to that trait. Common traits are the traits found in the majority of persons living in a society or culture.
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