Prior to the start of this class I thought of personality as the way people act. Personality was to me the way people reacted to their surroundings. By this I mean what happenings make a person mad, sad, and happy, etc. I always thought a person’s sense of humor was a big part of their personality.

A person’s personality came from their environment. Personality would come from who raised the person, how they were raised, and the different experiences they had throughout their lives. I always believed that a personality is always forming, changing, and is up to the person to decide how they would change it.

I came to understand personality this way because of how I am. I was raised in a strict household. Even though it was strict we had so much fun and we sure do think we are funny. There is/was a lot of sarcasm, energy, and hard work in my family. My parent have been together since they were teenagers. With strong influences and strong personalities I became very much like my dad. As I have gotten older I have been able to identify personality traits that I changed as I matured because I didn’t like the way it made me feel. For example, I was very impatient. As I have gotten older I have realized how stressful and draining it can be to be that impatient, therefore I have learned to let the things go that do not affect me directly or that are too little to make a difference.

After watching the videos, listening to the podcast, and reading I have learned that I am right in my definition of personality BUT there is a lot more to it.

Out of the seven explanations expressed in the video “What’s Personality Psychology All About?” my definition covered Trait Theory. Trait theory is states that personality is predetermined; you are what you are born to be with no free will of this choice. My definition also covered Humanism and Social Learning theories. These two I feel go together very nicely as they explain that you grow into who you are and that you are what others teach you to be. As I get older I love the explanation of existentialism with complete free will to just be yourself.

To conclude you need all 7 explanations to build your personality.

Trait Theory-Predetermined

Psychoanalysis-Unconscious forces

Behaviorism-Conditioned behavior

Social Learning-Influenced by environment

Humanism-Grow uniquely human

Existentialism-You are yourself, enough to just be

Cognitive Theory-You are in charge of your life/personality

please comment on trait theory in contrast to humanism

reference….Friedman, H., & Schustack, M. (2012). Personality: Classic theories and modern research (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Higher Education.