Humanistic Personality Theory & Trait Personality Theory Comparison

An examination of the Humanistic and Trait theories of personality reveals that while there are many differences between the two theories, there are very few similarities. Humanistic and Trait theories are in agreement that one’s personality is established, at least in part, by the choices one makes. In all actuality, Humanistic theory and Trait theory appear to approach personality from two different directions with barely a touch on common ground.

The Humanistic theory of personality is the least scientific or testable theory of personality and views each individual as unique, deriving and viewing the world from different perspectives. Humanistic theory examines the import an individual places on being true to the choices one makes and how those choices align with aspirations to affect significant transformation in the direction one’s life is taking. Humanistic theories focus on how external stimulus affects one’s behavior, with little or no concentration on one’s personality traits or the motivations driving one’s behavior. Humanistic theory derived from existentialist philosophy which very briefly means one’s life is determined by one’s choices and is not predetermined by fate. Humanistic theory allows that one’s personality can be manipulated by others who place conditions on one’s worth, negatively altering one’s self esteem; a high self esteem is centric to being true to oneself, as is having self-ideals or mental clarity of what one is capable of achieving and the type of person one is able to become. (Nevid & Rathus, 2005)

A trait is an aspect of one’s personality as it is revealed through observation of one’s behavior. The Trait theory of personality examines the elements of one’s personality in terms of agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to new experiences, extraversion, and neuroticism as well as the extent to which one’s personality is affected by one’s choices, learning experiences, and skill development. Traits are believed to be impacted more by genetics and one’s culture than one’s environment. The Trait theory’s Big Five model does not allow much for individualism, for example with the Big Five model, a person is either conscientious or agreeable with no allowance for the individual who balances examining others closely while at the same time allowing others to be themselves. Since one’s traits are believed to remain fairly consistent throughout one’s life, Trait theory may be more useful in determining what career may fit an individual’s primary personality traits or attempt to predict and prevent mind disorders such as schizophrenia than modifying undesirable behavior through behavior modification therapy. (Nevid & Rathus, 2005)

Though both theories profiled above have their own merit and authority in examining personality, it is just as easy to see how Humanistic theory and Trait theory are consistently at odds with each other. Regardless of the fact that Humanistic and Trait theories are in disagreement, both are useful in viewing the individual’s personality as a whole.

References

Nevid, J. S., & Rathus, S. A. (2005). Psychology and the challenges of life: Adjustment in the new millennium (9^th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.