Hans Eysenck's Personality Paper

Hans Eysenck, a psychologist well known in the field of personality based his trait theory on biological explanations; whereby he believed genetic and biological factors were significant elements of personality (Eysenck 1990). Eysenck also held the view that an individual’s personality traits, or what he referred to as ‘temperament’ was an exact result of one’s genetic make-up (Chamorro-Premuzic & Furnham, 2005). Eysenck encompassed the idea that there was a need to highlight the significant dimensions of personality, create a way in which they could be measured and then link them with experimental procedures. Subsequently, Eysenck developed a model of personality based on a theoretical and statistical approach to the classification of traits. This is

Personality is a complex area of Psychology, which has been studied for many years, by many experts in the field. Each having their own ideas about how to understand, study and evaluate it. Here I will introduce personality briefly, looking at the theories behind it. Then explain the need for testing. As there are many test that are available to use, for the purpose of this essay I will look at The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and discuss the reliability and validity of some studies around these tests.

Over the last 100 years, the underpinning concepts in the fields of psychology and counseling were wrought. Within this period, these concepts have transformed and evolved from somewhat crude conceptions of the psyche toward more holistic interventions and approaches. As the profession continues to move forward, adaptations of the original theorists regarding the nature of man and the development of personality continue to emerge. These adaptations, along with the integration of new concepts and ideas, continue to contribute to the field. The author describes his view of man and human nature, personality development, and explores potential implications for counseling.

Psychoanalytical theory approach would not view human motivation as Maslow. The psychoanalytic theory place human motivation as an individual’s sexuality and aggression (McAdams, 2006). In psychoanalysis the person talks about they are experiencing with a therapist who

Everybody has his or her own type of personality. We all act in a certain way that makes us who we are. It is believed that our parents, peers and, the environment we grow up in, shape us. Personality is describes as a combination of emotions, attitude, and behavioral patterns of an individual. There is a reason that we are the way we are and there are many theories that go along with that. Different theorist present their own definitions of the word personality based on their own theoretical positions. Which brings us to discussing Carl Jung’s theory of analytical psychology and Harry

However with advantages come disadvantages. For example, with correlational studies there is no background information obtained. Therefore, the reliability of the correlational studies is questioned.

A Hardy Personality is research done to measure commitment, control, and challenge that functions as a stress resistance resource under stressful circumstances (Manning, Curtis, McMillen & Attenweiler, 2011). I feel that at this time in my life that I am a hardy person. I have learned to deal with stress and even learn from it. I now realize that stress can cause many illnesses and it is just not worth stressing over everything. Hardiness is being able to cope with stress and turn it around in a positive way (Psych Alive, 2016). I have learn many years ago that you bring on unnecessary stress all on your own. My example is that years ago I would have several bill collectors calling me constantly. I was in a rough spot. I would not answer

Extroverts prefer the spotlight, work well in teams, and socialize in groups. Introverts are typically sensitive, and work better alone. It “is now a second-class personality trait, somewhere between a disappointment and pathology,”

I am not sure I agree 100% with that. I was reading the Five- Factor Model (FFM): Five Basic Personality Traits and it talked about. Extroversion people are sociable, outgoing, talkative, fun loving, and affectionate at the high end with introverted individuals who tend to be withdrawn, quiet, passive, and reserved (Huffman).I am quiet until I feel the person out and I am comfortable, then I will talk, but like I said I am a listener, so I am in sum what an agreement with that, but I am outgoing and fun loving, and I like to make people

He used the statistical measurement of factor analysis that identifies patterns and correlations of words, once and then again resulting in what are known as the three superfactors. Eysenck also believed that the basic factors of personality have a biological basis. For example, one hypothesis was that introverts are characterised by higher levels of cortical arousal than extraverts (Eysenck, 1967 as cited in Eysenck. HJ, 1981). EEG measures by Savage (cited in Eysenck.

Eysenck’s theory of personality is based on physiology and genetics. According to him our personality is inherited and determined by environment. He believed that our personality traits had psycho-physiological foundation.

Introversion was defined as “withdrawn and often shy, and they tend to focus on themselves, on their own thoughts and feelings” (Jung, 1923) Therefore focusing on this personality trait can help to better understand why people tend to be reserved and withdrawn from everyday life. Carl Jung was the creator of the neopsychoanalytical approach, which focused on psychic energy. While Gordon Allport and Hans Eysenck contributor to the trait theory, focused on biology and individualized traits. Jung, Eysenck and Allport focused on extrovert vs. introvert, yet had completely different ideas of how introversion is seen in everyday life. Personally believeing this trait is one I carry, focusing on completely different approaches will bring light to many explanations of why people act the way they do, including myself. By using both case studies and personal work from the works of Jung, Eysenck, and Allport researching introversion should not be a an issue. Although there is a lot of work to do with introversion, through this research one can get a better overview.

To understand personality there are three main aspects that must be looked at: LArsen and Buss Definition of personality, The Six Domains of knowledge of personality, and Costa and McCrae's Five Factor Theory. In this essay I will first break down larsen and Buss definition and connect it to the domains, then connect the domains to the five factor thoery (FFT).

Cardinal traits were rare and included traits that dominated a person, central traits were more general and descriptive of the individual, secondary traits were situational and related to an individual’s attitude and preference (Srivastava, 2005, p. 231). According to Buchanan (2010), German born psychologist Hans Eysenck devoted much of his career to both personality and intelligence research with much of this time spent in British universities. According to Haggbloom (2002), Eysenck’s research was thoroughly respected with him being the most regularly cited psychologist in science journals at the time of his passing. In 1947 Eysenck’s first book outlined what Eysenck viewed as the two central factors of personality; neuroticism and introversion/extraversion. Five years later Eysenck added another factor; psychoticism (Buchanan, 2010, p. 73). According to Carnivez & Allen (2005), British born psychologist Raymond Cattell centred his studies on factor analysis. His work observed him meticulously reduce Allport’s list of traits to less than two hundred. Applying his factor analysis knowledge, Cattell developed the 16PF questionnaire in 1949. Now in its fifth edition, it is still in wide use to this day (Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008). According to Tucker (2009), Cattell argued that while Eysenck’s three factor approach to personality was simpler, his own method was more thorough.

Personality distinguishes one individual different from another. Some personalities are more positive than others; however personality ultimately defines a person. Ample amounts of research and theories focus on personality. Researchers trust that investigation concerning personality provides a road map to truly understanding the individual. In an attempt to analyzing Michelle Obama’s personality, this paper will discuss the extrovert and introvert personality through using Eysenck’s Personality Theory and Allport’s Trait Theory; the two character theories illustrate two contrasting philosophies. Moreover, extrovert personalities hold characteristics such as combative, outgoing, determined, intolerant and hostility. On the contrary, introvert personality characteristics involve compromising reserved, wavering, and relaxed. Understanding the role that Eysenck’s Personality Theory and Allport’s Trait Theory play in Michelle Obama’s personality, will enrich one’s perception of her, exposing the extrovert and introvert traits of her personality.