Short Paper On Personality Assessment Assignment
Short Paper Personality Assessmentassignmentthis Short Paper Will Cha
This short paper will challenge you to apply what you have learned in this course and assess your own personality using three different theoretical approaches. Describe how each of these approaches would describe and explain your personality, using specific examples about your personality and key concepts from the theories. This paper has you evaluate several different theories with something you are very familiar with—your own personality. To complete this assignment, review the Module Six Short Paper Guidelines and Rubric document.
Paper For Above instruction
The purpose of this short paper is to assess my personality through the lens of three distinct theoretical approaches within personality psychology. By doing so, I aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of how different models interpret and explain personality traits, behaviors, and motivations, using specific examples from my own experience to illustrate each perspective.
The first approach I will discuss is the trait theory, which focuses on identifying and measuring individual personality characteristics that are relatively stable over time and across situations. According to trait theory, personality can be summarized using dimensions such as the Big Five: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (McCrae & Costa, 1997). In my case, I identify as highly conscientious, demonstrating a strong sense of organization and discipline. For example, I meticulously plan my daily activities, prioritize tasks effectively, and strive for excellence in my academic and personal pursuits. My extraversion manifests in my enjoyment of social interactions and group activities, such as participating in community service and leading team projects. Agreeableness is reflected in my empathetic nature and willingness to help others, often volunteering to assist friends or family in times of need. Neuroticism, on the other hand, is an area I continually work on, as I tend to experience anxiety in high-pressure situations, such as public speaking or timed exams.
The second approach is the psychodynamic perspective, rooted in Freudian theory. This approach emphasizes the influence of unconscious motives, early childhood experiences, and internal conflicts on personality. From this perspective, my personality can be examined through the dynamic interaction of the id, ego, and superego. My tendency toward perfectionism and self-criticism may be seen as a manifestation of the superego’s moral standards, shaped by my upbringing and societal expectations. For instance, I often set very high standards for myself academically, driven by an internalized desire to meet my parents’ expectations and societal norms. The anxiety I sometimes feel in pursuing these goals could be attributed to conflicts between my inner desires and external pressures. The ego, in managing these conflicting forces, often seeks realistic solutions but may sometimes be overwhelmed, leading to stress.
The third approach I will consider is the humanistic perspective, which emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and free will. According to Abraham Maslow (1943), individuals have an innate drive toward self-actualization, realizing their full potential. From this perspective, my personality reflects a striving for authenticity and internal fulfillment. My involvement in creative activities such as writing and music reflects my pursuit of self-expression and personal meaning. I also value empathy and compassion, motivated by a desire to foster genuine relationships and contribute positively to my community. This approach suggests that my traits and behaviors are directed by an inner desire for growth and self-discovery, which guides my choices and interactions.
In conclusion, examining my personality through trait theory, psychodynamic theory, and the humanistic approach provides a multifaceted understanding of my individual differences. The trait perspective highlights the stable characteristics that define my outward behaviors; the psychodynamic approach offers insight into the unconscious motivations and internal conflicts; and the humanistic perspective emphasizes my pursuit of personal growth and authenticity. Integrating these theories enriches my understanding of who I am and how my personality influences my experiences and interactions.
References
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- Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396.
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