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Trait Theories
Five-Factor Theory, formulated by Robert (Jeff) McCrae and Paul Costa explains a popular trait theory in personality. The Five-Factor Theory presents a biological account of personality traits that show learning and experience play little, if any part, in influencing these five factors of personality. According to this model, personality can be assessed using five dimensions:
1. Extraversion/introversion
2. Agreeableness/antagonism
3. Conscientiousness/undirectedness
4. Emotional stability/instability
5. Openness to experience/non-openness
Currently, this theory is generally accepted for describing personality within the field of psychology (Baird, 2010, pp. 186-197).
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Atkinson's theory of achievement motivation
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| 1923-2003 |
John Atkinson proposed two related needs that drive acheivement:
2. Motive to avoid failure (Maf) by choosing not to engage in activities that may lead to failure (Ormrod, 2008, pp. 469-478).
Allport's trait theory
1. Cardinal trait - This is the trait that dominates and shapes a person's
behavior. An example would be Freud who is synonymous with Psychology.
2. Central trait - This is a general character trait such as honesty or kindness. These are the central building blocks that shape one's behavior.
3. Secondary trait - These are characteristics seen only in certain circumstances such as getting nervous after giving a speech (McDougal, 2001).
David McClelland,(1917-1998), a distinguished Research Professor of Psychology asserts that human motivation is determined by three dominant needs; acheivement, affiliation and power. Individuals who desire power want to direct the efforts of others, either on a personal level or management level. This need to be in charge may be perceived as an undesirable personality trait. Those with a high need for affiliation need harmonious relationships with other people and strive to be accepted (Baird, pp. 186-197, 2010).
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Other Motivation Theories
Hull's principals of drive reduction theory
1. Drive is necessary for responses to occur
(e.g., the student must want to learn)
(e.g., the student must want to learn)
2. Stimuli and responses must be detected by the learner (e.g., the student must be attentive)
3. Response must be made
(e.g., the student much be active)
(e.g., the student much be active)
4. Conditioning occurs if the reinforcement satisfies a need (e.g., the learners needs must be met)
Hull's behavioral theory examines how learning reduces the primary drive of hunger, sex, sleep and comfort. The reduction of these drives show that motivation is essential to learning (Culatta, 2011).
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow devoted a large portion of his career developing a pyramidal structure known as the hierarchy of needs. He believed that higher needs are met only after basic physiological needs have been addressed. From Maslow's viewpoint, our personalities are self-directed and self-determined (Baird, 2010, pp. 186-197).
“Maslow has been a very inspirational figure in personality theories. In the 1960’s in particular, people were tired of the reductionistic, mechanistic messages of the behaviorists and physiological psychologists. Maslow was one of the pioneers in that movement to bring the human being back into psychology, and the person back into personality” (Boerre, 2006).
Donna,
ReplyDeleteI like the first theorists description of trait characteristics.
McCrae and Costa's Personality traits is a fun and creative way to examine what category you fall into. I will post my assessment and then maybe others will follow with their assessment of personalities. The part to ponder is times where there is a gray area on which trait is apparent. For example, I tend to be an extravert when I am in a work setting dealing with patients. I need to display confidence in a professional setting. However in social settings where I am unfamiliar I would consider myself an introvert. For the second trait, I avoid confrontation, so I am usually aggreeable. For the third, I am conciencous of my surroundings and tend to have a plan. Fourth, I consider myself emotionally stable, but you can tell if something is bothering me. Fifth, I enjoy new experiences and like adventures. Any comments?
Donna,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog, you put a great deal of effort into the content. I liked Atkinson's theory of achievement motivation. I tend to not engage in activities tht may lead to failure. They all emphasized the importance of motivation in learning.
Donna,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your explanation of each personality and motivation theory. In my experience, it is possible to use Hull’s principles of drive reduction combining the Orton-Gillingham approach with the higher level Latin/Greek morphology. Revealing the morphology before the student is academically equipped to handle the information shows her the historical relevance of our language. The bright dyslexic thrives under the kinesthetic approach to learning and strives to achieve the result of dissecting the English language.