personality theories psychology

1. Applications of personality theories
By
Harith Vinoth A
1st Msc Applied Psychology

2. PERSONALITY
Personality is a key psychological component that influences an
individual’s behavior. Personality is the role that an individual
performs in public. The personality of an individual is distinct,
personal and a major determinant of his behavior. Hence, it is
important to understand the concept of personality in shaping
individual behavior.

3. DEFINITION
The term “personality” originates from the Latin word “persona,”
which means “to speak through.”
Fred Luthans defined personality as “how a person affects others
and how he understands and views himself as well as pattern of
inner and outer measurable traits and the person-situation
interaction.”

4. TYPES OF PERSONALITY
1.The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The MBTI is a personality assessment instrument that is
widely used across the world. This instrument consists of
100 statements on human personality. It asks individuals
how they generally feel in specific scenarios.
• Extraverted vs. Introverted (E or I)
• Thinking vs. Feeling (T or F)
• Sensing vs. Intuitive (S or I)
• Judging vs. Perceiving (J or P)

5. 2.The Big Five Personality Model
The Big Five Personality Model is a paradigm that identifies five
essential personality dimensions namely
• conscientiousness,
• Neuroticism (emotional stability),
• extraversion,
• agreeableness, and
• openness to experience.

6. 3.Types A & Types B personality

7. 4.Introversion and Extroversion

8. THEORIES OF PERSONALITY
Psychoanalytic Theory
The psychoanalytic theory is a personality theory that holds that an
individual is more driven by unseen forces that are influenced by
conscious and logical thinking. The psychoanalytic theory is directly
associated with Sigmund Freud.
● Id
● Superego
● Ego

9. Self-Concept Theory
The self-concept theory focuses on an
individual’s set of perceptions about oneself,
as well as the perceptions of his/her
interactions with others and other areas of
life. Carl Rogers made substantial
contributions to the self-theory. He defined
self-concept theory as “an organized,
consistent, conceptual gestalt composed of
perceptions of I or Me”.

10. Socio-Psychological Theory
According to the belief of socio-psychological theory, person and society
are found to be closely linked. This indicates that an individual seeks to
satisfy the demands of society and society assists him/her in accomplishing
the goals.
Trait Theory
According to trait theory, an individual is made up of a set of defined
predisposition characteristics known as traits. These characteristics are
identifiable and often long-lasting qualities of an individual that set him
apart from others.

11. APPLICATIONS
1. Counseling and therapy: Personality theories provide a framework
for understanding individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Therapists can use these theories to assess clients’ personalities and
develop treatment plans tailored to their specific needs.
2. Organizational behavior: Personality theories are used in the field of
organizational behavior to help understand and predict individual
behavior in the workplace. Employers can use personality assessments to
make better hiring decisions, create effective teams, and develop
strategies for employee motivation and engagement.

12. 3. Education: Personality theories can be applied in educational
settings to understand students' learning styles, preferences, and
motivations. Teachers can use this knowledge to design instructional
strategies that cater to individual differences and promote effective
learning.
4. Career counseling: Personality theories are often used in career
counseling to help individuals identify suitable career paths. By
understanding their personality traits, interests, and values,
individuals can make more informed decisions about their career
choices and find job roles that align with their strengths and
preferences.

13. 5. Clinical psychology: Personality theories are used in clinical
settings to diagnose and treat personality disorders. These theories
help clinicians understand the underlying causes and dynamics of
personality disorders and develop appropriate interventions.
6. Personal development: Personality theories can be applied in
personal development and self-improvement. By understanding their
own personality traits and patterns, individuals can gain self-
awareness, identify areas for growth, and develop strategies for
personal and professional development.
It is important to note that personality theories are not definitive or
universally applicable, and their applications may vary depending
on the context and individual.