Gordon Gordon AllportAllport

By: Luján RodriguezBy: Luján Rodriguez

PsychologyPsychology

Birth and familyBirth and family Gordon Allport was Gordon Allport was anan American American

psychologist, who was born in a psychologist, who was born in a little town, Montezuma, Indiana little town, Montezuma, Indiana in in 1879. 1879.

He was the youngest of four sons He was the youngest of four sons of John Edwards and Nellie of John Edwards and Nellie Allport. Allport.   

Early YearsEarly Years When he was about six, his family moved When he was about six, his family moved

to Ohio. Gordon’s father was a doctor to Ohio. Gordon’s father was a doctor with his clinic and hospital in the family with his clinic and hospital in the family home.  home.  

Gordon and his brothers grew up Gordon and his brothers grew up surrounded by their father's patients, surrounded by their father's patients, nurses, and medical equipmennurses, and medical equipment.t. This This gave him an early idea of what he gave him an early idea of what he wanted to do when he grew up- a wanted to do when he grew up- a successful and important pshycologist.successful and important pshycologist.

Growing UpGrowing Up During his teenage years, Allport During his teenage years, Allport

had his own printing business.had his own printing business.

He graduated second in his class He graduated second in his class at High School in 1915 with at High School in 1915 with scholarships that allowed him to scholarships that allowed him to attend Harvard College. attend Harvard College.

EducationEducation Gordon attended Harvard Gordon attended Harvard

University. Entering Harvard was University. Entering Harvard was not an easy transition for him not an easy transition for him since the moral values were since the moral values were different from those he learned at different from those he learned at home. home. Gordon majored in economics Gordon majored in economics and philosophy and earned degree in and philosophy and earned degree in 1919. 1919.

Starting an Starting an independent Lifeindependent Life

After graduating in 1919, Gordon After graduating in 1919, Gordon moved to Turkey, where he moved to Turkey, where he taught economics and taught economics and philosophy at Robert College, up philosophy at Robert College, up until he returned back to Harvard until he returned back to Harvard to get his Master which he to get his Master which he received in 1921.  received in 1921. 

Becoming a Becoming a psychologistpsychologist

Allport worked as an instructor in Allport worked as an instructor in Psychology from 1924 to 1926 at Psychology from 1924 to 1926 at Harvard University. He began Harvard University. He began teaching his course "Personality” teaching his course "Personality” in 1924; it was probably the first in 1924; it was probably the first course in Personality ever taught course in Personality ever taught in the U.S. in the U.S.

Based on his beliefsBased on his beliefs He believed that every He believed that every

person has a small number of person has a small number of specific traits that dominate specific traits that dominate in his or her personality.He in his or her personality.He called these a person's called these a person's central traits. central traits.

…… He also said that as a child He also said that as a child

develops specific behavior and develops specific behavior and interactions becomes a part of interactions becomes a part of the individual's personality.   the individual's personality.   

Allport’s Trait TheoryAllport’s Trait Theory 1. 1. Cardinal traitCardinal trait - - This is the trait that This is the trait that

dominates and shapes a person's behavior. dominates and shapes a person's behavior.

22. . Central traitCentral trait - - These are the basic These are the basic building blocks that shape most of our behavior. building blocks that shape most of our behavior. An example of a central trait would be honesty.An example of a central trait would be honesty.

3. 3. Secondary traitSecondary trait - - These are These are characteristics seen only in certain circumstances characteristics seen only in certain circumstances (such as likes or dislikes that a very close friend (such as likes or dislikes that a very close friend may know). may know).

Working as a Working as a PsychologistPsychologist

Gordon wrote a lot of books Gordon wrote a lot of books such as: such as: Personality: A Psychological Interpretation..This book was the first book to ever This book was the first book to ever define which topics should be define which topics should be covered when studying personalitycovered when studying personality..

MORE books…MORE books… The Individual and His ReligionThe Individual and His Religion The Nature of PrejudiceThe Nature of Prejudice

Late LifeLate Life

After going teaching After going teaching introductory courses on social introductory courses on social psychology and personality at psychology and personality at Dartmouth College for four Dartmouth College for four years, Allport returned to years, Allport returned to Harvard and remained there for Harvard and remained there for the rest of his career. the rest of his career.

VideoVideo http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q

=videos+of+gordon+allport&docid=1217357218541&FORM=VIRE# #

II. Themes in Allport’s workII. Themes in Allport’s work

A. A. Consistency of PersonalityConsistency of Personality Allport argued that humans are

consistent (“remarkably recognizable”) in personality even though they may vary from situation to situation.

Some research supports Allport’s view; other studies suggest situations make people change their behavior (Mischel, 1984a).

B. B. The Concept of the SelfThe Concept of the Self

Allport argued for the idea of self as a Allport argued for the idea of self as a major focus of personality growth. major focus of personality growth.

Today, a good deal of research in Today, a good deal of research in clinical & social psychology focuses on clinical & social psychology focuses on the idea of the self (e.g., self-concept, the idea of the self (e.g., self-concept, self-esteem, self-efficacy). self-esteem, self-efficacy).

C. C. InteractionInteraction of Personality & of Personality & Social InfluencesSocial Influences

Although Allport focused on Although Allport focused on personality traits, he did recognize personality traits, he did recognize the importance of social factors & the importance of social factors & how they influence individuals. how they influence individuals.

III. Allport’s definition of III. Allport’s definition of PersonalityPersonality

““Personality is the dynamic Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems of those psychophysical systems that determine his unique that determine his unique adjustments to the environment.” adjustments to the environment.”

This is not tacitly accepted by This is not tacitly accepted by personality psychologists.personality psychologists.

Components of Allport’s Components of Allport’s definitiondefinition

1. 1. Dynamic organizationDynamic organization::

Refers to Allport’s view that to be Refers to Allport’s view that to be healthy, we need to integrate all parts healthy, we need to integrate all parts of our personality into a whole. of our personality into a whole.

Criticisms: the theme of unity isn’t Criticisms: the theme of unity isn’t shared by everyone. Learning theorists shared by everyone. Learning theorists focus on discrete units of behavior. focus on discrete units of behavior.

2. 2. Psychophysical SystemsPsychophysical Systems Allport argued that biology influences our Allport argued that biology influences our

personality development.personality development.

He accepted the idea that temperament, He accepted the idea that temperament, constitutes an inherited biological constitutes an inherited biological foundation for personality.foundation for personality.

There is some evidence that this might be There is some evidence that this might be the case. The temperaments of young the case. The temperaments of young children tend to be consistent into children tend to be consistent into adulthood.adulthood.

3. 3. DeterminativeDeterminative Allport argued that traits are not just Allport argued that traits are not just

predictor’s of behavior, they actually predictor’s of behavior, they actually determine (cause) behavior. determine (cause) behavior.

Allport felt these were actually Allport felt these were actually physical (tangible) although he physical (tangible) although he didn’t know how they related to the didn’t know how they related to the neural systems.neural systems.

Many perceive this view as: Many perceive this view as: circular reasonsing!!!circular reasonsing!!!

How does circular reasoning How does circular reasoning work?work?

Jack hits Bob (behavior)Jack hits Bob (behavior)

We observe hitting behavior & say We observe hitting behavior & say that Jack is high on “aggression” (a that Jack is high on “aggression” (a trait).trait).

When asked why Jack is aggressive—When asked why Jack is aggressive—we say “Because he hit Bob.”we say “Because he hit Bob.”

4. 4. UniqueUnique

Allport felt that traits are highly Allport felt that traits are highly individualized or uniqueindividualized or unique. .

He disagreed with theorists who He disagreed with theorists who asserted that one or a few instincts asserted that one or a few instincts motivate all people (sexual drives, motivate all people (sexual drives, striving for superiority). striving for superiority).

5. 5. Adjustments to the Adjustments to the

EnvironmentEnvironment Allport felt that our personalities Allport felt that our personalities

develop as a function of learning to develop as a function of learning to adapt to social situations while adapt to social situations while trying to achieve our needs.trying to achieve our needs.

IV. TraitsIV. Traits

Allport felt that our personality was Allport felt that our personality was made up of traits.made up of traits.

If you know a person’s traits, you can If you know a person’s traits, you can provide a description of their provide a description of their personality.personality.

What are traits???What are traits???

A trait is a consistent, long-lasting A trait is a consistent, long-lasting tendency in behavior. tendency in behavior.

E.g., shyness, hostility, E.g., shyness, hostility, gregariousness gregariousness

Can we all be described Can we all be described by the same traits?by the same traits?

Do we each have different traits or do we Do we each have different traits or do we all have the same traits in varying all have the same traits in varying amounts?amounts?

What do you think??What do you think??

Allport wasn’t willing to rule either of these Allport wasn’t willing to rule either of these out, although most researchers agree we out, although most researchers agree we have the same traits in different degrees.have the same traits in different degrees.

Individual Vs. Common Individual Vs. Common TraitsTraits

Allport argued we have both Allport argued we have both individual traits & common traits.individual traits & common traits.

Individual traitsIndividual traits -- possessed by -- possessed by only 1 person.only 1 person.

Common traitsCommon traits-- possessed by all -- possessed by all people to a varying extent.people to a varying extent.

How do we know what traits How do we know what traits

a person possesses?a person possesses? 1. We can infer them from language 1. We can infer them from language

(Dictionary Study). (Dictionary Study).

AAllport & Odbert identified llport & Odbert identified 17,953 trait 17,953 trait namesnames, from the dictionary (4.5% of , from the dictionary (4.5% of total words). total words).

  

Dictionary studyDictionary study 1.     Neutral Terms Designating Personal Traits 1.     Neutral Terms Designating Personal Traits

(artistic, assertive).(artistic, assertive).   2.     Terms Primarily Descriptive of Temporary 2.     Terms Primarily Descriptive of Temporary

Moods or Activities (alarmed, ashamed)Moods or Activities (alarmed, ashamed)   3.     Weighted Terms Conveying Social or Character 3.     Weighted Terms Conveying Social or Character

Judgments of Personal Conduct, or Designating Judgments of Personal Conduct, or Designating influence on others (adorable, asinine).influence on others (adorable, asinine).

   4.     Miscellanous: Designations of Physique, 4.     Miscellanous: Designations of Physique,

Capacities, and Developmental Conditions; Capacities, and Developmental Conditions; Metaphorical and Doubtful Terms (alone). Metaphorical and Doubtful Terms (alone).

2. Inferring traits from behavior2. Inferring traits from behavior

Allport argues that what people do, is a Allport argues that what people do, is a great clue as to their personality traits.great clue as to their personality traits.

If people like to run, hike, & ride bikes If people like to run, hike, & ride bikes we can infer they are athletic (a trait).we can infer they are athletic (a trait).

By observing others either in By observing others either in naturalistic settings or through naturalistic settings or through experiments, we can infer some of experiments, we can infer some of their traits.their traits.

3. Inferring traits from 3. Inferring traits from Personality measurementPersonality measurement

We can also infer traits from personality We can also infer traits from personality tests. tests.

Allport examined Allport examined people’s valuespeople’s values, because , because he felt that you could understand people’s he felt that you could understand people’s motivations from their value systems.motivations from their value systems.

He along with other colleagues developed He along with other colleagues developed the Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values. the Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values.

Allport-Vernon Lindzey Study of Allport-Vernon Lindzey Study of ValuesValues

Self-report questionnaire-- 60 questions. Self-report questionnaire-- 60 questions. Scores have norms based on 1960. Looks at Scores have norms based on 1960. Looks at who scores high on which values.who scores high on which values.

Allport reported that college students who Allport reported that college students who entered different occupations had different entered different occupations had different value scores. value scores.

Recently, Huntley and Davis (1983) found that Recently, Huntley and Davis (1983) found that scores on the study of values taken during scores on the study of values taken during college were associated with occupations of college were associated with occupations of male students 25 years later. male students 25 years later.

Allport-Vernon Lindzey Study of Allport-Vernon Lindzey Study of ValuesValues

ScaleScale Description of valueDescription of value Typical Typical OccupationOccupation

Social helping people social work Theoretical search for truth Professor Economic Pragmatic, applied Business Aesthetic Artistic values Artist Political Power & influence Politics Religious Religion, harmony Clergy

A. Central traitsA. Central traits

Central traits are the major characteristics Central traits are the major characteristics of an individual. of an individual.

These usually number from 5 to 10 in any These usually number from 5 to 10 in any one person (e.g., honesty, sociability).one person (e.g., honesty, sociability).

These are rather pervasive & effect many These are rather pervasive & effect many behaviors. We can use a small number of behaviors. We can use a small number of adjectives to describe someone. adjectives to describe someone.

B. Secondary traitsB. Secondary traits

These are characteristics that effect These are characteristics that effect behavior in fewer situations & are behavior in fewer situations & are less influential than central or less influential than central or cardinal traits. cardinal traits.

A preference for ice cream or dislike A preference for ice cream or dislike of modern art would be considered a of modern art would be considered a secondary trait. secondary trait.

C. Cardinal traitsC. Cardinal traits

This is a This is a singlesingle characteristic that characteristic that directs most of a person’s activities. directs most of a person’s activities.

It is so pervasive that it dominates just It is so pervasive that it dominates just about everything that a person does.about everything that a person does.

E.g., A person so power-hungry that they E.g., A person so power-hungry that they are solely driven by that need for are solely driven by that need for control.control.