Final Essay Week 4 Assignment
Final Essay Wk 4 Assignmentthis Final Essay Applies Modern Research B
This Final Essay applies modern, research-based theories of personality (chapters 9 – 17) to describe and explain your personality. It is similar to your Midterm Essay but incorporates more recent theories. The essay concludes with a critical comparison of these modern theories to the psychoanalytic theories used in your midterm essay. Using observations from your journal, assessments, and personal experiences, write a cohesive 5 to 7 page essay. Incorporate concepts and vocabulary from three or more of the recent chapters. Include external references such as journal articles and books. Conclude by explaining how your current profile differs from your first essay, comparing and contrasting the two, and providing a concluding statement on which view you find most accurate or useful.
Paper For Above instruction
Understanding personality has been a central goal of psychology, with various theories attempting to explain the complex interplay of innate traits, environmental influences, and individual experiences. Recent research-based theories, such as the Big Five model, Social-Cognitive theories, and Humanistic approaches, offer a contemporary perspective that balances biological predispositions, cognitive processes, and personal growth. This essay explores my personality through these modern frameworks, reflecting on observations from my journal, personal assessments, and lived experiences, and contrasting them with the psychoanalytic perspective I considered in my midterm essay.
Introduction
The landscape of personality psychology has evolved significantly, moving from Freudian psychoanalysis to empirically supported models rooted in research. Modern theories emphasize traits, cognition, and human potential, providing nuanced insights into individual differences. In this context, I examine my personality through the lens of the Big Five model, Social-Cognitive theory, and Humanistic psychology, utilizing recent empirical findings and concepts from chapters 9 through 17. This approach enables a comprehensive understanding of my personality and its development, contrasting it with earlier psychoanalytic views.
The Big Five Personality Traits
The Big Five model, also known as the Five-Factor Model, identifies five core dimensions: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. According to research by McCrae and Costa (1998), these traits are relatively stable over time and predict various life outcomes. Reflecting on my journal entries and personal assessments, I recognize high levels of extraversion and openness, evident in my social interactions and curiosity about new experiences. For instance, my frequent participation in group discussions and desire to learn diverse topics exemplify these traits. Conversely, I observe moderate levels of neuroticism, often linked to stress responses, which manifest during exam periods or high-pressure situations.
Social-Cognitive Theories and Personal Agency
Social-Cognitive theories, particularly Bandura's (1986) model, emphasize the role of observational learning, self-efficacy, and reciprocal determinism in shaping personality. My personal experiences reveal how modeling behaviors from peers influenced my communication skills and motivation. For example, observing successful public speakers increased my confidence, exemplifying self-efficacy, a key predictor of how I approach challenges. Additionally, my journal notes highlight instances where feedback from mentors and friends directly impacted my self-perception and goal setting, aligning with the concept that environment and cognition reciprocally influence personality development.
Humanistic Perspectives and Self-Actualization
The Humanistic approach, championed by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, focuses on self-actualization and personal growth. My journal entries frequently reflect moments of insight, self-reflection, and efforts toward fulfilling potential. Maslow's hierarchy of needs echoes my pursuit of esteem and self-actualization, evidenced by my engagement in meaningful learning activities and pursuit of personal goals. The emphasis on intrinsic motivation and authenticity aligns with my experiences of seeking genuine connections and personal meaning, contrasting with the more deterministic view of psychoanalysis.
Comparison with Psychoanalytic Theories
The psychoanalytic approach, heavily influenced by Freud, emphasizes unconscious conflicts, formative childhood experiences, and defense mechanisms. In my midterm essay, I explored these ideas to explain certain behaviors. However, modern research-based theories tend to be more trait-focused, emphasizing observable behaviors, cognitive processes, and personal development. While psychoanalysis offers deep insights into the origins of personality, it often lacks empirical support and is less adaptable to contemporary understandings of personality plasticity. My current profile, informed by recent research, reflects a more dynamic and malleable view, emphasizing current traits and cognitions rather than unconscious conflicts.
Critical Reflection and Personal Evolution
Compared to my first essay, my understanding of my personality has shifted from viewing it as largely rooted in childhood conflicts to recognizing the influence of ongoing experiences, traits, and cognition. The modern theories provide a more systematic and evidence-based framework that resonates with my observations and personal growth journey. I now see personality as adaptable and shaped by conscious efforts and social influences, rather than solely predetermined by childhood experiences.
Conclusion
My personality profile, shaped by the Big Five, Social-Cognitive, and Humanistic theories, offers a comprehensive and adaptable view of who I am. These modern frameworks emphasize traits, learning, and self-actualization, providing valuable insights into ongoing personal development. While psychoanalytic theories contribute valuable perspectives on unconscious processes, I find the current empirical models more practical and aligned with my experiences. Overall, I find the human traits and cognitive-behavioral approaches most accurate in understanding human personality and guiding personal growth.
References
- Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.
- McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T., Jr. (1998). The five-factor theory of personality. In L. A. Pervin & O. P. John (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (pp. 139-153). Guilford Press.
- Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370-396.
- Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist's view of psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin.
- John, O. P., & Srivastava, S. (1999). The Big Five trait taxonomy: History, measurement, and theoretical perspectives. In L. A. Pervin & O. P. John (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (pp. 102–138). Guilford Press.
- McAdams, D. P. (2006). The case for a deeper scientific understanding of personality. Journal of Research in Personality, 40(5), 549–560.
- Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. (1998). Perspectives on personality. Pearson.
- Shallcross, S. J., & Petrie, K. J. (2016). Personality and emotion: An introduction. Routledge.
- Baumeister, R. F., & Vohs, K. D. (2016). Handbook of self-regulation: Research, theory, and applications. Guilford Publications.
- Roberts, B. W., & Mroczek, D. (2008). Personality development. Annual Review of Psychology, 59, 373–398.