I Have Included The 3 Previous Papers Completed

I Have Included The 3 Previous Papers Completed Including The One Fr

For your Final Paper, you will identify and synthesize the concepts and constructs of personality theory that you find to be the most accurate and appropriate in explaining personality and development. Throughout the course, you have engaged, probed, picked apart, and evaluated the thinking of a large number of theorists who wrote during different historical periods from different disciplinary, paradigmatic, and ideological perspectives. Based on different realms of human experience, the theorists moved toward a fundamental understanding of a single topic and fundamental question: What is the human personality, and, more generally, what makes us what we are as individuals and as a species?

You have already begun this task by identifying what you feel are the most compelling concepts in the first four of the seven theoretical models covered in the course during the Week 3 Primary Concepts assignment. You will continue that process in the first part of this Personality Theory Final Paper by identifying what you find to be the most compelling concepts in the remaining three models. Then you will continue that assessment by synthesizing the concepts of personality that Best explain the roles of heredity and environment. Provide the best means of assessing personality. Provide the best theoretical explanation for your personal journey of personality development.

Your paper should be organized according to the following scheme, with sections organized under the following APA-formatted headings. Address the following specifications for each heading. (For instructions on writing proper headings and other document elements, see the Ashford University Writing Center’s APA Style Elements.) In your paper, include the following:

  • Introduction: Start your paper with a general, academic introduction to the topic of theories of personality. Explain what you plan to cover and the direction your paper will take.
  • Major Concepts: In Week 3, you identified what you considered to be the most important concepts from the psychodynamic, the neurobiological, the cognitive, and the trait models of personality. In this section of the Final Paper, present a concept from each of the remaining three models—behavioral, interpersonal, and self-psychology models. For each, describe the concept, identify the theorist associated, and provide a rationale for why the selected concept is most applicable from that model.
  • The Roles of Heredity and Environment: Synthesize your views on how heredity and environment affect personality development, considering the roles of heredity, environment, and epigenetics.
  • Assessment in Personality Theory: Reflect on the various methods for assessing personality presented in the course. Select the most useful method, describe it briefly, and justify your selection.
  • Personal Applications: Reflect on your personality and address which of the seven models best explains your developmental journey. Provide at least one specific example of your personality that is explained by your selected model.
  • Career Applications: Explain how you can use your knowledge of personality development gained from this course to help achieve your career goals.
  • Conclusion: Summarize the ideas presented in your synthesis of and reflection on personality theory, including a concluding paragraph addressing the overall insights gained.

The paper must be eight double-spaced pages in length (excluding title and references pages). It must use proper APA headings and formatting. Include a separate title page with the required information, and ensure proper APA guidelines for citations and references. Use at least six scholarly sources in addition to course materials, with at least one scholarly source per substantive section. All sources must be cited properly within the text and listed in a formatted references page. The paper should be written in an academic, scholarly voice, with clear, well-structured paragraphs following introduction and conclusion paragraphs. Your thesis statement should clearly indicate the purpose of your paper.

Paper For Above instruction

Theories of personality have long fascinated scholars and psychologists striving to understand the fundamental constructs that delineate human individuality and development. This paper aims to synthesize and critically analyze prominent personality theories, emphasizing their most compelling concepts, interrelations, and practical applications. By exploring models from psychodynamic to self-psychology, and addressing the influences of heredity and environment, the paper seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of personality, its assessment, personal development, and professional utility.

Major Concepts in Behavior, Interpersonal, and Self-Psychology Models

Among the remaining three models — behavioral, interpersonal, and self-psychology — each offers unique insights into personality's architecture. The behavioral model, rooted in the works of B.F. Skinner, emphasizes observable behaviors and their conditioning history. A pivotal concept here is "operant conditioning," which suggests that personality traits are shaped through reinforcement or punishment. This concept explains how external stimuli influence behavior, leading to personality patterns reinforced over time (Skinner, 1953). Its applicability lies in understanding how environmental contingencies shape individual actions and traits, often observable through behavioral assessments.

From the interpersonal model, a significant concept is "attachment styles," developed by John Bowlby. Attachment theory posits that early interactions with caregivers form internal working models that influence personality development throughout life (Bowlby, 1969). Secure or insecure attachments affect interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, and emotional regulation. This concept's relevance rests on its explanatory power regarding social behaviors and emotional well-being, making it instrumental for clinical interventions aimed at improving relational patterns.

Within self-psychology, Heinz Kohut's concept of "self-cohesion" emerges as vital. Self-cohesion relates to the individual's sense of self-structure and continuity, shaped by empathetic responses from caregivers (Kohut, 1977). It explains how a stable sense of self develops through empathic attunement, impacting self-esteem, self-regulation, and resilience. This concept underscores the importance of empathy and validation in personality development, providing valuable insight into therapeutic approaches aiming to strengthen self-coherence.

The Roles of Heredity and Environment in Personality Development

Synthesizing perspectives on heredity and environment reveals a nuanced interaction in personality development. Heredity provides biological predispositions, influencing temperament, intelligence, and emotional reactivity (Plomin et al., 2016). However, environmental factors—early childhood experiences, social interactions, cultural contexts—shape how these predispositions manifest. Epigenetics further illuminates this dynamic, illustrating how environmental factors can alter gene expression without changing DNA sequences (Meaney & Szyf, 2005). Thus, personality emerges from an intricate interplay, where genetic predispositions interact constantly with environmental influences, including life experiences and socio-cultural factors.

Assessment in Personality Theory

Among the various methods for assessing personality presented in this course, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) stands out as particularly useful. The MMPI-2 offers a comprehensive, standardized self-report questionnaire that evaluates a wide range of psychological conditions and personality traits. Its extensive normative data and empirical validation support its reliability and validity across diverse populations (Butcher et al., 2015). This assessment tool's strength lies in its ability to detect psychopathology and assess personality dimensions simultaneously, making it invaluable for clinical, counseling, and research purposes.

Personal Applications of Personality Theory

Reflecting on my personal development, the trait model, particularly the Big Five personality traits, best explains my developmental journey. For example, my high level of conscientiousness, characterized by organization and diligence, aligns with traits associated with academic and professional success. This trait, rooted partly in genetics but significantly influenced by environmental reinforcement, has shaped my approach to responsibilities and goal-setting. Understanding this model has helped me recognize areas for growth, such as increasing openness to new experiences, promoting further personal and professional development.

Using Personality Knowledge for Career Goals

The knowledge gained from this course equips me to better navigate my professional environment by recognizing personality diversity and tailoring interpersonal strategies accordingly. For instance, understanding different attachment styles can enhance my communication and teamwork skills. Additionally, insights into motivation and behavior from behavioral and trait models can inform leadership approaches and conflict resolution. Applying these theories fosters not only self-awareness but also empathy and adaptability, essential qualities for leadership and collaborative success in my chosen career.

Conclusion

This synthesis has illuminated the multifaceted nature of personality, emphasizing the significance of diverse theoretical constructs. Recognizing the interplay of heredity and environment underscores the complexity of personality development, while selecting effective assessment methods enhances our understanding of individual differences. Reflecting on personal and professional applications demonstrates the practical value of these theories in fostering growth, enhancing self-awareness, and achieving career objectives. Ultimately, integrating these perspectives offers a comprehensive framework for understanding ourselves and guiding our development as individuals and professionals.

References

  • Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. New York: Basic Books.
  • Butcher, J. N., Kropp, F., & Hunt, S. (2015). Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory-2 (MMPI-2): Screening, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Guilford Publications.
  • Kohut, H. (1977). The restoration of the self. University of Chicago Press.
  • Meaney, M. J., & Szyf, M. (2005). Environmental programming of stress responses through DNA methylation: Role of maternal care. Cell, 120(5), 621-622.
  • Plomin, R., DeFries, J. C., Knopik, V. S., & Neiderhiser, J. M. (2016). Top and bottom genetics of personality. European Journal of Personality, 30(6), 612-630.
  • Skinner, B. F. (1953). science and Human Behavior. Free Press.