Innate Good

Running head: PERSONALITY THEORIES

PERSONALITY THEORIES 5

Personality Theories

Discussion of Innate Good

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Personality Theories

Discussion of Innate Good

Thesis Statement

Theologians as well as psychologists have disputed the concept of innate good. Within the personality study, this remains to be a matter of grave concern. It is a fact that people who are born with innate goodness seek better ways of expressing the concept. The truth is that this may seem to be either too obvious to some people. Whenever people are reminded of this notion, a sense of possibility and relief is driven across. This does not imply that evil deeds do not exist, they do exist. However, the sense of innate goodness exists as well. Actually, this goodness is comprehended undoubtedly and persuasively each and every time by a personal destruction obsession as well as the near consistent questioning of the motivations of each other (Ewen & Ewen,2014). The results of these tendencies are to disparage and demean the public life. They are an indication to people that indeed goodness bears no space at all in the public domain. This paper seeks to discuss the concept of innate good in relation to several personality theories and offer support or debate to the innate goodness concept.

People do have an innate goodness sense that is always waiting to be highlighted. The real task facing people is the idea of giving room for innate goodness. That is, to offer space whereby it can appear and be expressed. Through this, it can be harnessed in a manner that can allow people join together for productive common purposes as well as to give stories that are a reflection to its power and persuasiveness (Ewen & Ewen,2014). But then, one clear fact is that emphasizing the innate goodness is not all about clarity, it is about whether people are able to find ways of coming together even during differences and dislikes or whether they will withdraw to the sidelines to allow pessimism and indecisiveness to win the day.

1. Trait theories

` The discussion of innate goodness in relation to the trait theories possesses a major weakness. This weakness is as a result of Sheldon’s morphological grouping system as well as other kind theories in common is the component of overgeneralization essential in enlisting persons into a solo group, which disregards the truth that each and every persona signifies an exceptional quality combination. The structures that define personality as a blend of merits or proportions are referred to as trait theories. Renowned trait theorist Gordon Allport (1897-1967) widely examined means by which traits merge to create usual personalities, classifying over 18,000 distinct behaviors over a 30 year period. He projected that everyone possesses close to seven fundamental traits that control their behavior. Hans Eysenck suggested that the definition of character could be based on three vital aspects: psychoticism (antisocial traits like malice and denunciation of common customs), introversion-extroversion, and emotionality-stability (neuroticism) (Ewen & Ewen,2014). He also expressed a quadrant based on interconnecting emotional-stable and introverted-extroverted axes thus bringing a perception of trait theories supporting innate goodness.

2. Biological theories

Variances in physiological functioning that are genetically determined mark persons more susceptible to developmental conditioning. Eysenck suggests that people who are introverted bear greater physiological arousal levels which allow them to be easily habituated by environmental stimuli. As a result of this, such people advance more reserves that make them shy and uncomfortable in social circumstances. Empirical indication for genetic influences to personality majorly comes from two study forms: children’s temperaments studies and heritability studies.

In Temperament studies, temperament denotes the features of innate personality. Babies highlight certain temperaments right after birth. Studied temperaments include reactivity, which indicate a baby’s receptiveness, and soot ability. Studies of children from infancy to adolescence have discovered that temperaments endure fair stability over time. However, temperaments can as well be adapted over time by ecological factors.

Heritability studies also deliver evidence for genetic influences to personality. Heritability is a calculated approximation that designates the amount of a trait’s variation in a populace can be accredited to genes.

The Influence of Family Environment towards an individual’s innate goodness has been proven by research to be of no influence to personality. There is little or no association between the character traits of adopted offspring including their adoptive parents. This is probably because parents act differently as compared to their children. Children’s temperaments impact on their parent’s behavior towards them. A child’s gender and birth place can also affect how that child is treated (Murphy, 2013).Environmental Influences also have an impact on personality i.e. peer relationships and the situations encountered by a kid. The relation between innate features and ecological factors are two-way. Children’s temperaments probably influence their peer relationships and the scenarios they come across. Likewise, peers and scenarios can alter children’s personality features.

3. Humanistic theories

The humanistic theory was established by a group of American psychologists (Maslow, Rogers, Fritz Perls and others) who were dissatisfied with the psychoanalytical approach in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Carl Rogers came up with a person-centered method founded on the notion that the customer was at the center of the assisting process and that they had their own self- healing capacity within themselves. He hypothesized that through the creation of a safe, private, non-judgmental and un-biased safe setting and that the counselor is open and honest towards the client then the client will use their own wisdom in healing themselves in the way that’s right for them (Schneider & Krug, 2010). That theory is one of growth and development and it explores creativity encourages self-awareness and self-development thus backing up the concepts of innate goodness(DeRue, et.al, 2011). According to Maslow’s theory, people are always determined in their self-improvement, to raise and develop to their full potential. He referred to this as self-actualization. He also theorized the process of people consistently growing and changing in their life. He referred to this process as actualization. Rogers hypothesized that individuals grow up culturing behavior that they feel is expected from them by family and society and that sometimes this conduct is in conflict with the individuals true natural character, they may possess diverse moral values or opinions as compared to their parents yet won’t reveal it in fear of facing rejection (Murphy, 2013). The more ‘imported’ restraints imposed upon a person the more conflict will occur with their natural self they ought to be. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and the feeling something is ‘wrong and they will struggle within the conflict. Humanistic approach believes that persons are innately good with a solid desire to improve themselves and their situations(DeRue, et.al, 2011). Humanistic counseling aids in enabling clients to grow and develop by promising them to be more conscious of their innermost feelings by offering them the six core situations that provide a climate conductive to growth and therapeutic change (Schneider & Krug, 2010). The six cores include:

* Therapist-client psychological contact

* Vulnerability of Client

* The perception of the client

* Unconditional positive regard

* Empathic understanding

* Therapeutic Genuineness

4. Behavioral theories

The behaviorist approach perceives personality as an outline of educated conducts attained either via classical (Pavlovian) or operant (Skinnerian) habituation and formed by support in reward form. A comparatively current behaviorism allowance, the cognitive-behavioral method stresses on the role played perception in the education process (DeRue, et.al, 2011). Theorists of intellectual and communal learning not only emphasize on the noticeable characters people exhibit but also on their anticipations and their sentiments towards others, themselves, and their own behavior (Barsalou, 2014). For instance, one variable in the overall personality theory developed by a social learning theorist Julian Rotter is internal-external orientation. “Internals” perceive themselves to be directing events, whereas “externals” view occasions to be greatly outside their control (DeRue, et.al, 2011). Another feature that distinctifies the cognitive-behavioral approach from old-fashioned behaviorism forms is its emphasis on discovering what happens in social circumstances via observation, which contradicts with the reliance of classical models (Barsalou, 2014).

Other than the personality form and dynamics concepts, a major study area in the personality study is the manner in which it progresses in the course of an individual’s lifetime. A fascinating area is the study of how personality is variable across societies. To be able to know whether personality structure and formation observations reflect universal facts or just cultural influences, it is essential to learn and associate the features of personality and innate goodness in diverse cultures. For instance, important variances have been discovered between the developments of temperament in the characteristic Western cultures. Cross-cultural variances may as well be witnessed in a particular culture through learning the differences between its leading culture and subcultures (Murphy, 2013).

References

Barsalou, L. W. (2014). Cognitive psychology: An overview for cognitive scientists. Psychology Press.

Ewen, R., & Ewen, R. B. (2014). An introduction to theories of personality. Psychology Press.

Schneider, K. J., & Krug, O. T. (2010). Existential-humanistic therapy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

DeRue, D. S., Nahrgang, J. D., Wellman, N. E. D., & Humphrey, S. E. (2011). Trait and behavioral theories of leadership: An integration and meta‐analytic test of their relative validity. Personnel Psychology, 64(1), 7-52.

Murphy, G. (2013). An historical introduction to modern psychology. Routledge.