Module 8: Personality

Over time, psychology has explored how personality develops, as well as how to measure personality traits. Many popular theories have become disputed, like Freud's psychosexual theories, Gall's theory of phrenology, and Sheldon's theory of body types. However, various aspects of these past ideas, such as Freud's study of the unconscious, remain integrated in modern personality discussions.

When you think about your own personality and those of people you know, you have likely realized your traits remain stable regardless of circumstances and environment. For example, if you are kind to your siblings at home, you are probably kind to your classmates at school. The trait theory emphasizes this and uses various techniques to measure personal characteristics. While many personality theories incorporate similar ideas, there are some notable differences too. For instance, humanists highlight the ability to change your personality if you choose, while socio-cognitive theorists propose that interactions between our behaviors and thoughts explain personality shifts. Contemporary research on personality tends to focus on the study of traits, including sensation seekers, need for achievement, locus of control, and self-esteem. This modern research looks at the impact of these personality traits and resulting behaviors.