Trait And Psychodynamic Theories Of Personality Psychology Essay

Trait And Psychodynamic Theories Of Personality Psychology Essay By submitting this work I acknowledge that I am its author, that all sources consulted in its preparation are referenced appropriately in accordance with the referencing guide, and that I have not copied from any source. Personality theories concentrate on how traits are developed and how behaviour is generated. Personality traits are durable dispositions of behaviour that occur across a variety of situations. They are like tendencies; a persons predisposition to react in a certain way in various different situations. Trait theories focus on indentifying the characteristics we possess and the degree to which we possess them. However trait theories are starting to address concerns such as how behaviours are developed, how traits are generated and how our goals and motivations affect the development of traits and the degree to which we possess them (Mischel, 1996). On the other hand, psychodynamic theories of human behaviour assume that human lives are ruled by internal unconscious forces and that these forces; which may be images, opinions, or feelings are the chief determinants of who they are and what they do (Kaslow, Magnavita Patterson, 2002).This essay will relate trait theory in comparison to p sychodynamic theory. Gordon Allports trait theory views personality as a combination of stable internal characteristics that an individual displays in a given situation. Conversely, Sigmund Freuds psychodynamic approach emphasizes the interplay of unconscious irrational forces struggling for control in shaping ones personality. Freud believes that human functioning is influenced by three basic structures of the mind: the id, the ego, and the superego, which emerge developmentally. The id, as stated by Freud, is present at birth and works on the pleasure principle. The ego operates on the reality principle and attempts to satisfy the id while obeying societys rules. The emergence of the ego for Freud symbolizes the origin of consciousness and he refers it as the superego; which is the internalized rules of parents in society (Bernstein, Penner, Clarke-Stewart Roy, 2011). On the other side of the coin, Allport argues that varying strengths of many qualities or traits actually determine the personality of a person. Allport had three categories of traits: the cardinal traits, the central traits, and lastly the secondary traits. The cardinal traits govern and shape a persons behavior. Central traits are characteristics that others use to describe another individual. Secondary traits are circumstantial. More recently, trait theorists have indentified five main factors that make up personality; Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (Pastorino Doyle-Portillo, 2012).Thus one can assert that traits are relatively stable predispositions to behave in a certain way whereas psychodynamic theory deals with unconscious motivations and conflicts in ones head. Allport uses the concept of personal disposition and the idiographic approach which focuses on studying one person at a time to explain that every human being possesses unique traits that create a personalised type of behaviour in a particular situation. He also specifies that traits are exclusive characteristics to a particular person alone which generates consistent and specific behaviour patterns (Carducci, 2009). On the contrary, psychodynamic theorists focus on group behaviour and making comparisons between people while describing dynamic interactions between individuals (Jarvis, 2004). Thus one can affirm that the trait approach to personality focuses on predicting a specific individual behavior whereas psychodynamic theories centre on predicting typical behaviour of a group of people. Psychodynamic theorists believe that many of our actions depend on hidden beliefs and emotions. These unconscious forces can bring a change in an individuals behaviour and personality. When a person meets other individuals; he involuntarily experiences a must to behave as they do in order to be accepted. Thus, he suppresses more of his tendencies to be more compatible with the norms of society (Collins ORourke, 2008). In contrast, an individuals behaviour is likely to stay relatively consistent across a broad range of situations over the course of time due to the enduring and stabilizing impact of traits (Mischel, 1996). Hence one can argue that trait theory focuses on constancy in personality while psychodynamic theory hints at change in personality. Trait researchers usually study the processes behind the behaviour related with a specific trait. For example, some psychologists are keen in examining the underlying concerns of shy people which keep them away from the social world (Burger, 2010). Nonetheless psychodynamic theories stress upon the importance of early childhood experiences, the significance of repressed feelings and internal disputes between the conscious and unconscious forces that manipulate our thoughts and behaviour (Plotnik Kouyoumdjian, 2010). Therefore one can state that trait theory focuses on indentifying the mechanisms underlying behaviour while psychodynamic theory emphasizes on describing personality and predicting behaviour instead of explaining why people behave the way they do. Early research has shown that natural physical endowment is more important than environment in determining personality in the sense that it is not simply likely to produce a light or superficial impact on the image that an individual projects vis-Ã  -vis others in the society but rather it is the prime factor which decides whether he or she will be favourably or unfavourably perceived by others in the community. However ownership of a specific trait does not guarantee success in a specific field; for example, honesty, self-confidence and the ability to motivate others are some of the few characteristics which determine leadership. More recent research study showed that an individual possessing the traits mentioned above does not necessarily score high on leadership performance. Combination of both the leadership traits and management skills are needed to create effective leaders (Novick, Morrow Mays, 2007). On the other hand, Freuds psychodynamic theory emphasize hugely on the disp utes between conscious and unconscious forces that manipulate our views and actions (Plotnik Kouyoumdjian, 2010). Thus one can claim that trait theories integrate both the nature and nurture approach when shaping personality while psychodynamic theories rely mainly on the conscious and unconscious forces guiding an individuals behaviour. To conclude; trait theorists are more concerned with indentifying individual characteristics which when combined can be used to describe personality. Proponents of the psychodynamic theory rely heavily on the dynamic forces of the subconscious to explain the perceptions, and behaviours of individuals. These behaviours can lead people to behave in ways that are ineffective and even self-destructive (Mischel, 1996).

Natural Law versus Utilitarian Law

Abortion and Homosexuality, for many years, still remain one of the most crucial social and ethical issues of modern times. It has divided societies. Advocates and opponents continue to collide over debates, rallies, and violent confrontations trying to exert their rights to these practices. Both sides have valid arguments that led to legal battles and state legislation.Abortion is legal in 54 countries while it is illegal in 97 countries. Approximately 46 million abortions are performed worldwide every year, averaging 126,000 a day. In the United States, 1,370,000 occur annually. Since its legalization in 1973, there are more than 40 million cases reported. Many women use abortion as birth control while others because of rape or incest. Women decide to abort in order to postpone childbearing, cannot afford a baby, too young, will disrupt education or career, risk to fetal health, and risk to maternal health.Each year almost 26 million women obtain legal abortions while 20 million ot hers obtain it illegally in countries that prohibit the practice. Moral considerations in abortion include: Is the fetus a person? What stage of development does it become human? Does the pregnant woman have the right to decide whether she wants the baby or not? Not allowing a woman to end her unwanted pregnancy violates her human rights? Are laws controlling abortion violates privacy? Would abortion be allowed to women who are victims of rape or incest?On the other hand, homosexuals are well-known throughout history and now becoming a phenomenon these days. Their fashionable lifestyle is now acceptable. Recent studies show that the prevalence of homosexuality in adult males of Western societies ranges from 2% to 8%, indicating that a significant number of the population have homosexual tendencies. Homosexuals are now found in all walks of life, in all kinds of families, in many religions and races. Homosexuality is illegal in 80 countries, 42 of these outlaw male-to-male sex.The le gal status of homosexuals varies. In some countries, homosexual acts are prosecuted under morality law or public indecency and even put to death. In 2001, Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriages followed by Belgium in 2003, Spain and Canada in 2005, and the US State of Massachusetts in 2004. Among the strongest issue against homosexuals is that they are obsessed with sex, having little self-control or morality.Their promiscuous living enables them to have multiple partners as many as 100, making them vulnerable to and carriers of sexually transmitted diseases. Homosexuals continue their struggle for recognition. They fight for equal rights to employment opportunity, better access to health and insurance, freedom to marry, legislation for child custody, and the repealing of laws that ban transvestitism and cross-dressing among others.Considering these scenarios, different views and laws come into play, for or against: The Natural Law versus the Utilitarian Law. Both sides are trying to justify the actions. Natural law uses the principle of Double Effect wherein a person may lawfully perform an action from which two effects will follow, one bad, the other good. This principle states that evil must never be willed or voluntary or used as an end or means to an end.To determine whether the action is right the act itself must be morally good or neutral, the motivation may not positively intend the bad effect but may permit it only to attain the good effect, the good effect must be desired to compensate for allowing the bad effect, and there must be serious reason to allow the evil effect. The Utilitarian, in contrast, uses the principle of Utility that such action is right or moral when it promotes happiness or pleasure, and decreased the unhappiness or pain of individuals affected by the action. This principle is commonly known as achieving the greatest good for the greatest number. The law believes that all individuals are equal when de termining the consequences of any given action and decides which action to take, of all the possible actions, to do the right thing.Abortion and the Utilitarian Law. The central arguments of this law in favor of abortion is that the woman has the right to control her own body, that abortion is a just exercise of this right, and that the law should recognize the right of choice. Denial of this right encourages illegal abortion and causes psychological anguish for women, especially those who are victims of rape or incest. The fetus, according to this theory, only becomes a person when it is viable in 23 weeks.At this time, the fetus has no legal rights. The rights only belong to the woman who can decide if she wants the baby or not. Reproductive freedom is a basic right. Abortion is justified if done within the period when the fetus is not fully developed. In this case, abortion is only terminating the pregnancy, not killing a child. Under its guiding principle of maximizing total hap piness, denying a woman to end her unwanted pregnancy will cause her unhappiness and increase her pain. In addition, the baby will inflict physical and psychological harm as well as affect the woman’s mental health.If she is forced to care for the child, it will be a burden because she is not ready for the responsibility. She will be distressful in the future. Along the process, the child may suffer. Unhappiness will rule the lives of both mother and child, and the people around them. This law also compares abortion to self-defense. That if the baby poses a threat to the life or health of the woman, abortion will be the best possible action to take out the threat.Abortion and the Natural Law. The central arguments of this law against abortion is the notion that human life begins at conception, that abortion is a deliberate act of killing the life in progress, and that the law must prohibit unjust violations of the right to live. Nature has provided women wombs to create life, eliminating life would be unnatural. The act of abortion is evil because its motivation is willful and pre-meditated in terminating an innocent being.Under this theory, undergoing an abortion procedure is not allowed. However, other medical procedures could be morally good if only to save the life of a mother even if it resulted in the unintended death of the unborn child. The death of the child is not intentional but allowed to happen as a by-product of the action. Good acts must not be accomplished by evil deeds nor evil must not become an element in achieving the good. Abortion should not be used for family planning or prevent birth defects. If during treatment of a deadly disease such as cancer, through chemotheraphy or hysterectomy, the unborn child dies.The death of the child is not a mean to cure the illness. If there is a choice in getting the good effect without the bad effect, then this must be taken. If the action will result in lesser good and greater evil, the evil wil l be considered accidental or incidental. If a woman aborts her child to avoid embarrassment or maintain a shapely figure, this is not a reason of unintentional death but a planned one. All possible acts must be pursued to preserve life, but during the course of action one life is lost, the act is permissible and acceptable.Homosexuality and the Utilitarian Law. Referring to its principle that such action is morally right if it produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people, then homosexuality would be acceptable because homosexuals generate a lot of pleasure to a lot of people. As stated earlier, their practices allow them to experience various relationships with different partners.To this extent, homosexuality should be acceptable. This theory has three features on the issue: consequence, welfare, and sum-ranking. The act is moral if its consequences contribute to the happiness (welfare) of many people (sum-ranking). On this account there is no action that is ne ither right nor wrong. Homosexual acts are moral as long as they maximize happiness. All that matter is that their actions are right if it pleases everyone. The law also believes that homosexuality is a normal human condition not only brought about biologically or the environment but can affect early childhood. It covers every culture and age.Homosexuality and the Natural Law. In this theory, homosexuality is not acceptable because it simply does not conform in accordance with nature. A man and a woman are designed to complement each other in sex and marriage, to produce offspring and raise a family. Their bodies are intended for that purpose. Homosexuality defeats that purpose but only abuses the human body. Two men or two women cannot reproduce. Thus, it is considered unnatural and immoral because it destroys the essence of family life.Through adoption, gay couples may have the possibility to raise their own families. However, as a consequence, the children will grow up in an inap propriate living condition, bombarded by intrigues and unusual behavior of their so cold parents. Definitely, their way of thinking and behavior will likewise be influenced.   In this set up, the act imposes bad effects for the children. Conflicts may arise soon when the children reached the age of reason that perhaps will give way for separation and unhappiness.Legalizing homosexuality will affect the conduct and judgment of children as well as spread immorality. Its acts contradict all conditions of the double effect principle. There is no good effect, only evil effect. Homosexual act by itself is not good and its motivation is for self satisfaction not for the benefit of others. The gay ideology only reduces the human dignity.Their promiscuous acts not only create scandals that shook institutions like the church or government but give rise to a number of diseases that plague many nations. The practice of homosexuality presents lethal consequences to other people. As a result, t he act results in a number of sexually transmitted diseases.   The Center for Disease Control cited that homosexuals make up 80% of all AIDS cases in America. People with same sex attraction are said to have personality problems and deserve to be treated.ReferencesGrisez, G.G. (1970). Toward A Consistent Natural Law: Ethics of Killing. (Reprinted). The American Journal of Jurisprudence. Vol. 15. [Electronic version]. Retrieve May 9, 2006, from http://faculty.msmary.edu/Conway/PHIL%20400x/Grisez%20Toward%20A%20Consistent.pdf#search='the%20utilitarian%20law%20on%20abortion'Alstad, D. Abortion and The Morality Wars: Taking The Moral Offensive. National Abortion Rights Action League, 1997. Retrieve May 9, 2006, from http://www.rit.org/editorials/abortion/moralwar.htmlHinman, L.M. (2000). Contemporary Moral Issues: Diversity and Consensus. (2nd Ed.). Prentice Hall College Div; 1 edition (December 22, 1995). University of San Diego. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2000Smart, J. J . C., Williams, B. (1973). Utilitarianism : For and Against. Cambridge University Press. United Kingdom.Finnis, J. (1980). (Natural Law and Natural Rights. Clarendon Law Series. Oxford University Press, USA (March 20, 1980).Ruse, M. (1993). Homosexuality: Right or Wrong? Free Inquiry. Volume: 13. Issue: 2. Spring 1993. Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism, Inc.

Slavery and Successful Slave Revolt

Prompt: Analyze changes and continuities in long-distance migrations in the period from 1700 to 1900. Be sure to include specific examples from at least TWO different world regions. The first migrations to the Americans were by cattle. The North had more slaves than the South. The South had a successful slave revolt. Trains in Russia caused the serfs to run faster. Teepees were mobile homes for Indians. Bantus migrated to California for the movie industry. Main technology that remained the same in migrations was shoes. Butterfly migration Chinese migrated to escape the weather. Migration is when a group of girls go to the bathroom together. There is no significant evidence and analysis of immigration to Antarctica. Think about it. Would you rather ride a camel or walk on hot sand? Land migration took longer because animals had to have restroom breaks. The Bantus always had nourishment and body parts to use for economic reasons. Stalin also put outrageous quotas on goods and if the quotas weren’t met, he cut off the limbs of your child. People came to America by cattle. Bantus migrated to Hawaii, where they brought new products. Adventures of penguins migrating from Antarctica. European pheasants migrated to America Ancient Egyptians migrated to South Africa every summer. When a Chinese person arrives in Egypt, the Chinese norms will be adopted by the Egyptians. When the invention of the train exploded, people were spread all over the world. The Vikings were Jewish. They became Christian when they invaded Europe. Australia was a pit stop for traders. If it wasn’t for the slave trade, President Obama wouldn’t exist and without expansion, Hawaii wouldn’t be a state, so Obama couldn’t be President. What’s so special about 1700 to 1900? Nothing. This should be enough. The Amish converted to Muslim and had to leave Amish territory. Jews would run from Germany to America. The Jews who came included Isaac Newton, who helped the U. S. invent the atomic bomb. Some things remain the same when it comes to migration. The Himalayas were located in India and still are. A problem with long-distance migration was in the space from Arica to America had water and other interruptions. Coastal regions were located near water. Sea migration was faster because you could just float. Bantus migrated to escape forced conversion to Islam and were introduced to Communism, bringing bananas. I hope you liked this break from the boring crap you usually read. Slaves were shipped to American through the Bermuda Triangle. The Bible migrated a lot. Peasants were treated like pets. The Mongols were like a hockey team, going from place to place to annihilate. Zombies will always migrate in search of brains. Trains were s low. Sometimes you could outrun them. Man y came to North America for job opportunities like trapping the French. The Bantus migrated to America in the 1800s. It took three years. There are no records of this. Birds migrate south for the winter and have been doing so for a long time. When slaves ran away, they often didn’t make it back to Africa. If people migrated through the Arctic, they would be cold. Romans migrated to Southern Connecticut but found life there to be difficult. People are bipolar so they move. Slaves caught the Underground Railroad.

Puritanism And The Native People Example

Puritanism And The Native People Example Puritanism And The Native People – Coursework Example Puritanism and the Native People William Bradford sees Indians as noble savages who should be punished for treating other people in bad ways. Though William Bradford is portrayed as a very pious man, his Christian values are not portrayed in his behavior towards the Indians and less fortunate people. On one hand he praises God for His care during the journey while on the other hand, he comments that it pleased God to smite a young man with a terrible illness, which seems to imply that he had a revengeful heart contrary to his Christian belief where we should not rejoice during other peoples misery, though they have wronged us. The man in the story had been offending and speaking in an evil manner to the people on the ship but this did not mean he died for revenge.Mary Rowlandson sees native Indians as bad Indians and this is because they burnt her home, killed her friends and family and took her into captivity, and this could have been a cause for her to create bitterness in her hear t towards them. She does not seem to have been treated with the cruelty that her other prisoners are given probably due to the fact that she complies with what she is told to do. She acknowledges that it is God who has made every positive thing to happen. She notes that the Indians had been preserved by God to facilitate the punishment of her backslidden members of her family and people due to the evil things they have done. She acknowledges that God is ready to save always and gives an example of her spiritual reawakening after such a harrowing experience in the hands of the Indians. She also portrays anti Christian attitude by asserting that her race was superior to the Indians. She does not show Christian character when she does not empathize with the death of an Indian woman’s child. John Smith attitude towards the Indians had a mixture of negative and positive aspects. He liked the Indians because they fed him and because they were gifted in the expansion of trade with Europe and especially King Powhatan who wanted to expand His Kingdom. He had a internal dislike for the Indians because he considered them to be smarter than he was and depended on their help to survive in an era that was full of violence. His attitude towards the native people expresses the truest description because it expresses their negative and positive sides, which is right because people cannot be perfect and they have their good and bad sides.Work CitedRowlandson, Mary. Puritanism, Indians and Witchcraft, 2011. A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson

Guidelines for Revising a Composition

Guidelines for Revising a Composition Revision  means  looking again  at what we have written to see how we can improve it. Some of us start revising as soon as we begin a rough  draftrestructuring and rearranging sentences as we work out our ideas. Then we return to the draft, perhaps several times, to make further revisions. Revision as Opportunity Revising is an opportunity to reconsider our topic, our readers, even our purpose for writing. Taking the time to rethink our approach may encourage us to make major changes in the content and structure of our work. As a general rule, the best time to revise is not right after youve completed a draft (although at times this is unavoidable). Instead, wait a few hourseven a day or two, if possiblein order to gain some distance from your work. This way youll be less protective of your writing and better prepared to make changes.   One last bit of advice: read your work aloud when you revise. You may hear problems in your writing that you cant see. Never think that what youve written cant be improved. You should always try to make the sentence that much better and make a scene that much clearer. Go over and over the words and reshape them as many times as is needed.(Tracy Chevalier, Why I Write. The Guardian, Nov. 24, 2006) Revision Checklist Does the essay have a clear and concise main idea? Is this idea made clear to the reader in a thesis statement early in the essay (usually in the introduction)?Does the essay have a specific purpose (such as to inform, entertain, evaluate, or persuade)? Have you made this purpose clear to the reader?Does the introduction create interest in the topic and make your audience want to read on?Is there a clear plan and sense of organization to the essay? Does each paragraph develop logically from the previous one?Is each paragraph clearly related to the main idea of the essay? Is there enough information in the essay to support the main idea?Is the main point of each paragraph clear? Is each point adequately and clearly defined in a topic sentence and supported with specific details?Are there clear transitions from one paragraph to the next? Have key words and ideas been given proper emphasis in the sentences and paragraphs?Are the sentences clear and direct? Can they be understood on the first reading? Are the sentences varied in length and structure? Could any sentences be improved by combining or restructuring them? Are the words in the essay clear and precise? Does the essay maintain a consistent tone?Does the essay have an effective conclusionone that emphasizes the main idea and provides a sense of completeness? Once you have finished revising your essay, you can turn your attention to the finer details of editing and proofreading your work.

Trace the development of language and gender research since the 1980s Essay

Trace the development of language and gender research since the 1980s. Taking one or two examples from research in the last ten years, explain what the priorities are now - Essay Example Gender differences stem from childhood and how boys and girls are treated differently. Baby girls are considered delicate and fragile and are therefore treated as such, being exposed to language that is gentle and handled with utmost care. On the other hand, boys, expected to grow up to be strong and masculine, are exposed to power-filled language punctuated with strong tones (Rasquinha & Mouly, 2005). This example reflects the Sociolinguistic Subculture Approach which suggests that that boys and girls grow up in essentially different talk subcultures resulting from the differing expectations parents and peers direct toward them about acceptable ways to talk (Maltz and Borker, 1982). Leaper (1991) explains that at three years of age, little girls develop earlier in terms of language and this helps them explore relationships with those around them. Girls use language that demonstrates attentiveness, responsiveness, and support. Boys, in turn, use language that demand attention, give o rders, and establish dominance (Leaper, 1991). They engage in group activities with other boys and test out their ‘high’ and ‘low’ status roles: â€Å"I’m the leader†, â€Å"you follow me†, etc. They establish positions among the group and they are apparently louder, more physical and less verbal than girls (Rasquinha & Mouly, 2005). By the age of 7, children have acquired gender constancy (Kohlberg & Zigler, 1967) and knowledge of gender-role stereotypes (Huston, 1983; Martin, 1989). As they transition to middle childhood, interaction strategies become more gender-differentiated. Whereas girls become more competent in collaborative strategies, boys stick to their reliance on domineering influence strategies. Bakan (1966) explained that boys are taught to value autonomy, competition and linear problem solving and such values are expressed by the encouragement of self-assertion and self-expansion (Mason, 1994). They grow up learning that information and

Deconstruction of the 1998 movie ''ARMAGEDON'' by Michael Bay Essay

Deconstruction of the 1998 movie ''ARMAGEDON'' by Michael Bay - Essay Example The film ''Armagedon'' perhaps has a primary means of advancing the narrative is through spectacular visual elements. In the first two scenes there are two corresponding explosions – a meteor striking the Earth and extinguishing the dinosaurs and an unidentified source destroying the space shuttle. It is not long before a third explosion occurs as a meteor slams into a man selling inflatable Godzillas; one considers the irony in a meteor destroying replica dinosaurs. It is clear that one of the predominant means of narrative advancement is in the film’s implementation of these explosions. While they are worked seamlessly into the narrative, it seems that Bay implements them in large-part as a means of startling the viewer, just like a horror film might implement a murder. In other instances, the explosions seem to function simply as a means of allowing the viewer to revel in the Hollywood special effects. For instance, early in the film asteroids strike New York City in a highly fantastical manner, resulting in falling buildings, statues, and wide-scale havoc. Although such special effects are intrinsic to the plot, it is clear that in this scene the film dwells on the explosions simply for their fantastical nature. Another prominent structural device is the parallel narrative form. The film regularly cuts between scenes featuring Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck, and those centered in mission control. As the film begins the two narratives are entirely removed, leaving the viewer to question why blue-collar oilrig drillers would have anything to do with an asteroid. The film expertly interweaves the plot lines, however, as the Billy Bob Thornton character eventually states that they must bring in the world’s best deep core driller in order to stop the asteroid. The film largely remains tied to a parallel narrative structure throughout. It isn’t until a significant amount of scenes have passed before the first montage is implemented. This occurs as Harry and Grace begin to discuss the members of the team they will need to accompany them on their Earth saving mission; the film then cuts between various individuals in their place of residence or favored pastime. Another montage is implemented as the team is given psychological evaluations by the NASA scientists. To a degree, Bay’s way of dealing with this scene seems to be influenced by Steven Soderbergh’s approach in the Ocean’s Eleven and Twelve films; namely, funky sounding music is overplayed while rapid-pace editing jumps between different funny quips. Of course, the film’s primary montage occurs as the United States president announces to the nation the upcoming mission. During this time various scenes of world regions are featured looking on. The message is one of global unity and is highly poignant and inspiring. Still, it’s noted that this device was also used in a similar disaster film, Independence Day, as the United State s president called on the world to join in the fight against aliens. This fact further establishes the