Theories of Personality Psychology Term Paper Essay (Term Paper Sample)

Theories of Personality
Name
Institution
Theories of Personality
Different theories are used to study the personality traits, variables or dimensions of individuals. The testing of personality is useful as it promotes self-awareness and informs decisions, such as career choices and the development of social relationships (Ryckman, 2013). It is on the basis of this understanding that this paper presents a discussion of four major theories used to study personality, including their historical developments. The viewpoints of the theorists who contributed to the models of personality are also discussed. The paper finishes with explanations of three tools used to assess the individual.
Major Theories in the Study of Personality
Psychoanalytic Theory
The psychoanalytic theory provides that experiences of individuals in early childhood and their unconscious minds play a vital role in the development of personality (Ewen & Ewen, 2014). Sigmund Freud is the theorist who established the psychoanalytic theory. He was convinced that the unconscious mind is expressed through personality traits. Freud postulated that childhood sexuality shapes people’s unconscious motivations and their personality (Lowry, 2017). According to the psychoanalytic theory, the unconscious mind is composed of memories, feelings, thoughts, and wishes (Engler, 2014). Freud hypothesized that the personality structure has three main components: Id, Superego, and Ego. The Id is the unconscious mental energy that seeks to satisfy basic drives such as reproduction, survival, and aggression. The Superego refers to the internalized concepts and ideals upon which actions are judged. The Ego is the conscious aspect of personality that helps to strike a balance between the demands of the Id, reality, and the Superego (Ryckman, 2013).