Introduction
In
most cases, personalities are described and evaluated despite the nature or the
realization of the person involved in assessing them. Psychologists have made
efforts in studying personalities as well as their effects on humanity by using
the evolved knowledge at their disposal. This paper intends to define
personality, as well provide an overview of the description from a
psychological perspective. The paper will also outline some of the methods
researchers use in studying personality. It will also differentiate each method
from the other by outlining the information that each provides. Lastly the
paper will state the advantages and disadvantages of each of the methods.
Psychologists’
Definition of Personality
According
to Fiest and Fiest, “Although no single definition is acceptable to all
personality theorists, we can say that personality is a pattern of relatively
permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both consistency and
individuality to a person’s behavior” (Fiest & Fiest, 2009). The term
personality lays its focus on those areas of life that are prominent in an
individual. The focus concentrates more on the outward look of a person, for
instance; energetic or spiritless. Most definitions tend to incline to mental
system when it comes to defining personality. The accumulation, as presented by
psychologists, includes motives, thoughts and emotions. ”Personality includes
all those relatively permanent traits or characteristics that render some
consistency to a person’s behavior” (Fiest & Fiest, 2009). It is important
to note that traits that occur in individuals are unique, although in some
cases are mutual, or sometimes could be common in the entire species; however,
the pattern of the occurrence differs from one person to the other.
Methods of Personality
Study and Information Each Provide
There
are a number of different methods that researchers use when studying
personality. Some of the most commonly used include case studies. This method
involves collecting some important information of the background of people
together with extreme observation development, so that people can learn how to
treat others basing on their traits. Another method that can be used is the
correlation design method (Rogers and Revelle, 2011). This
method makes use of personality variables like kindness and intelligence. These
variables can be either negative or positively correlated. The last method that
can be used is the experimental design method. In this method two variables,
dependent and independent are used. It is determined whether or not a variable
influenced a change in another variable.
In
experimental method, the initial variable that is independent is manipulated
after which is verified to determine whether or not there was an influence on
the other variable, which is not a case with in correlation method, where each
variable has different values. This means that variables used cannot in any way
be manipulated for the purposes of the study. Case study is different from the
above because it involves collection of data and does not involve variables.
Advantages and
Disadvantages of the Methods
Case
study as a method is advantages in the sense that it involves collection of
data that is based on individual traits. This means that the information
collected is unbiased. Another advantage is the fact that this method it
provides useful illustrations when studying personality traits. On the other
hand, despite the fact that the information collected might be unbiased,
psychologists can have a difficult time dealing with unbiased information, if
any since they know the people personally. Another disadvantage of this method
is that the information collected can only be used on a particular individual
at that time, and cannot be applied on any other.
Correlation
method also has some advantages. For instance, we can be able to predict about
some things in the event that we have correlations. We can be able to predict
about one variable if it is correlated to the other. However a disadvantage of
the method is that it does not equal causation. A correlation acknowledges that
the two variables are correlated, but does not provide evidence if one caused
another. This means that the method does not offer us with the option of making
conclusions concerning the cause as well as the effect.
Experimental
is advantageous since it clearly identifies the cause and effect of
relationships. It is also advantageous in the sense it is able to determine
whether or not a certain variable causes some changes in another variable
depending upon the situation. The disadvantage of this method is that it is not
accurate since it involves manipulation of independent variables (Goldberg, 1993).
This means that there is an automatic inaccuracy in the conclusions drawn. In
this case a researcher is at liberty to manipulate a particular variable under
some conditions that controlled as well. This means that the dependent variable
might be affected, something that leads to inaccuracy.
Conclusion
Despite
a lack of a clear way of defining personality, psychology have found out a way
in which they can be able to study personality and establish some of the
factors that play a role in the development. There are always new facts that
are discovered that help in the whole issue of studying personalities, a factor
that will help scientists not to make speculations. After a long period of
speculations of what exactly influences personality, it seems nature versus
nature could become extinct in the event that both become an equal partner as
far as influence is concerned. Personally, I am of the opinion that the
environment plays a big role; however, it might be because of the general
perception of it being an obvious factor.
As we grow we get a clear understanding of what exactly influences the
development of our personalities.
If
I were a psychologist carrying out a study on personality, I am not sure which
method I would choose, but I think that case history study is far much inaccurate compared to the others. I
think experimental stands out to have some aspects that might be credible.
Despite the fact that the method contains some short comings, at least it is in
a position to determine whether a variable can cause some changes to another
variable, depending on the nature of the variable, and this is the essential
element I think is essential in studying personality.
References
Fiest,
G.J, & Fiest,J. (2009). Chapter 1. Psychology: Theories of Personalities.
(7th ed.). McGraw- Hill.
Goldberg,
L. R. (1993). The structure of phenotypic personality traits. American
Psychologist, 48, 26-34.
Rogers,
G. and Revelle, W. (1998) Personality, mood, and the evaluation of affectiveand neutral word
pairs. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 1592-1605
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