Chapter 14, Problem 1RQ

Summary Introduction

To distinguish:

Between global and limited domain approaches to personality

Introduction:

Personality theories either explain personality completely incorporating all aspects of it or only based on a few narrow aspects of personality. The theories explaining all aspects of personality are considered as global approaches while those explaining limited, narrow aspects are called limited domain approaches.

Explanation of Solution

The global approaches to personality try to incorporate all aspects of personality while explaining personality. The global aspect of personality was developed through treatment of patients in clinical settings. The theories aimed to change abnormal behavior rather than just describing it. Examples of this approach include psychoanalytic theories and humanistic theories.  The limited domain approaches to personality explain only a few aspects of personality. It was developed through the use of empirical research methods. The theories were aimed at investigating and explaining personality. They were not developed exclusively for treatment purposes. The type A/type B personality theory and the internal/external control theories are examples of limited domain approaches to personality

Conclusion

Global approaches and limited dimension approaches lie on the opposite ends of a continuum on how completely they explain personality. The global approaches provide us theories based in which many treatments are formulated while the limited dimensions approach provide important information on various personality aspects in order to understand personality better.