Chapter 1:
Introducing
Personality
Learning Objectives
• After reading this chapter, you should be able
to do the following:
– Define personality and explain the personality
concept in psychology
– Describe how personality can be approached from
the standing of knowledge
– Identify how knowledge of personality psychology
can be applied to specific professional settings
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 2
Explaining the Definition
• Personality is a stable set of behavioral and
experiential characteristics of an individual
(American Psychological Association [APA],
2014).
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 3
Asking Questions
• Patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving
• Need to study personality traits
• Who has personalities
• Are personalities alike
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 4
Three Principles Explaining Personality
• Consistency
– In observable qualities and characteristics
• Causation
– Originate from within
• Organization
– Central characteristics
– Peripheral characteristics
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 5
Consistency, Causation, and Organization in the Continuum of
Personality Traits
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 6
Personality’s Dichotomies
1. Unique and typical
• Type: traits form a type
2. Central and peripheral
• Central: wide-ranging and present
• Peripheral: more specific
3. Stable and evolving
• Based on many interconnected influences
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 7
Personality’s Dichotomies
4. “normal” and “abnormal”
• Tolerance threshold
• Personality disorder
5. Nature and nurture
• debates
6. Body and mind
7. Active and reactive
• Scarcity mindset
• determinism
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 8
Four Types of Knowledge
• Knowledge is information that has a purpose
or use.
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 9
Four Types of Knowledge Related to Personality: A Preview
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 10
Four Types of Knowledge
• Scientific: systematic empirical observation,
measurement, and evaluation of facts
• Popular beliefs: observations and
assumptions
• Values: stable perceptions
• Legal knowledge: official, legal prescriptions
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 11
How Different Types of Knowledge Interact
• Deeply interconnected
• Distinguish between the four types of
knowledge
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 12
Knowledge and Theory
• Analysis: breaking of something complex into
smaller parts
• Theory: comprehensive, scientific explanation
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 13
Knowledge and Theory in Studying Personality
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 14
Personality Theories and Academic
Traditions
• Personality psychology is a branch of
psychology that studies personality.
• Academic traditions: These traditions bring
together scholars that share similar views on a
particular scientific approach, subject, or
method.
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 15
Areas of Application
• Personalized medicine
• Clinical and counseling psychology
• Education
• Business
• Forensic, security
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 16
Main Application Areas of Personality Theories
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 17
Steps in Applying Knowledge
• Individual context: apply this knowledge to
self
• Interpersonal context: apply this knowledge
to classmates, friends and family members
• Global context: apply your knowledge to the
global world and to your entire life.
Eric E. Shiraev, Personality Theories, A Global View. © SAGE Publications, 2017. 18
