Personality Theory Analysis
Personality makes each of us an original, and the theories of how to define the development of something that is unique to each individual are plenty. This paper will seek to compare and contrast two of these theories, learning and dispositional. It will seek to describe both theories and the roles that they play in influencing personality and behavior, what personality characteristics they are associated with, as well as explain the interpersonal relational aspects that are tied to both of these theories.
Compare and Contrast Dispositional and Learning Theories
“Methods in which scientists could acquire an understanding of how human behavioral development progressed has been sought after by behavioral scientists
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An example: an individual who is mean, withdrawn, and inaccessible, will have less friends than a kind, outgoing, and accessible individual. In social situations, an unfriendly individual may have to fake being friendly in order to feel comfortable around others. To achieve this, an unfriendly individual may have to redirect his or her ego to match that of others at the social gathering; such as, they have to modify their normal personality. The situation will determine the personality trait that an individual displays. This may cause individuals to perceive others in the wrong way based on the personality trait they are displaying at the time (Feist, Feist, & Roberts, 2012).
Dispositional Theory: How Personality Affects Situational Behavior “Allport believed that individuals will respond to situations in ways that his or her personality dictates, implying that a person will show different personality traits based on the situation they are in during a given day” (Westen, 2002). This can be seen in the example of ‘you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.’ People who have a mean disposition or are elusive will have fewer friends. When these people go out to socialize they have to pretend to be friendly and “fake it until they make it” just to be at ease with other