1 Personality Theory & Research: Gordon L. Flett Personality Theory & Research: An International Perspective Gordon L. Flett Prepared by Brenda Baird,

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1 1 Personality Theory & Research: Gordon L. Flett Personality Theory & Research: An International Perspective Gordon L. Flett Prepared by Brenda Baird, University of Ottawa

2 2 Chapter 14 Overview What Psychobiography Tells Us About PersonalityWhat Psychobiography Tells Us About Personality Methodological Issues And ConcernsMethodological Issues And Concerns Psychobiographical SketchesPsychobiographical Sketches Common Themes across the Psychobiographical SketchesCommon Themes across the Psychobiographical Sketches

3 3 What Psychobiography Tells Us About Personality Psychobiographies are case studies conducted from a psychological perspectivePsychobiographies are case studies conducted from a psychological perspective Psychobiographies involve idiographic investigations which limits generalizationPsychobiographies involve idiographic investigations which limits generalization Freud (1910) cautioned against relying on a single clue when in any analysis of personalityFreud (1910) cautioned against relying on a single clue when in any analysis of personality Freud further stressed the importance of examining external probability and internal probabilityFreud further stressed the importance of examining external probability and internal probability

4 4 What Psychobiography Tells Us About Personality Several noteworthy theorists have contributed to the development of psychobiography:Several noteworthy theorists have contributed to the development of psychobiography: – Erickson for his accounts of Luther and Gandhi – Runyan for his accounts of van Gogh and Nixon – Simonton or his account of King George III Theorists can use time series analysis which is a statistical procedure that permits assessment of personality change over time, and facilitates a prospective analyses of personalityTheorists can use time series analysis which is a statistical procedure that permits assessment of personality change over time, and facilitates a prospective analyses of personality

5 5 What Psychobiography Tells Us About Personality Psychobiographical Analysis 1.Emphasizes the importance of the situation 2.Should provide description and explanation 3.Provides a means to test existing theoretical frameworks 4.Identifies areas for further empirical testing- being aware of the limitations in subjective analyses (e.g., reliability & validity)

6 6 What Psychobiography Tells Us About Personality Allport stressed the interaction of personality content and structure, a concept Baldwin referred to as personal structure analysisAllport stressed the interaction of personality content and structure, a concept Baldwin referred to as personal structure analysis Alexander noted in his consistency criterion that reliability can be established by determining if information gathered over a person’s life is convergentAlexander noted in his consistency criterion that reliability can be established by determining if information gathered over a person’s life is convergent Runyan coined the term historical- interpretive psychology to refer to the proper approach of psychobiographyRunyan coined the term historical- interpretive psychology to refer to the proper approach of psychobiography

7 7 What Psychobiography Tells Us About Personality The Functions of Psychobiography McAdams and West (1997) listed three functions of psychobiography:McAdams and West (1997) listed three functions of psychobiography: 1.Exemplification 2.Discovery 3.Comparison Practicality has been identified as a fourth function due to the predictive utility of psychobiographyPracticality has been identified as a fourth function due to the predictive utility of psychobiography

8 8 Methodological Issues and Concerns A major limitation of psychobiography is the subjective nature and inherent biases:A major limitation of psychobiography is the subjective nature and inherent biases: The actor-observer bias which is the tendency to attribute causality to the person rather than the situationThe actor-observer bias which is the tendency to attribute causality to the person rather than the situation A confirmatory bias is the tendency to pocus on information that supports one's existing beliefsA confirmatory bias is the tendency to pocus on information that supports one's existing beliefs Sex and cultural biases involve one’s differential beliefs about men and women, and about cultureSex and cultural biases involve one’s differential beliefs about men and women, and about culture

9 9 Methodological Issues and Concerns Criticisms of Psychobiography The critical period fallacy is a tendency to focus on only one period of a person's lifeThe critical period fallacy is a tendency to focus on only one period of a person's life Originology is the Freudian tendency to focus on early life experiencesOriginology is the Freudian tendency to focus on early life experiences Eventism is the tendency to focus on a few key life eventsEventism is the tendency to focus on a few key life events Over-pathologize, or focus solely on negative traitsOver-pathologize, or focus solely on negative traits

10 10 Methodological Issues and Concerns Guidelines for Extracting Data Alexander identified several guidelines for gathering psychobiographical data:Alexander identified several guidelines for gathering psychobiographical data: – Primacy guideline – Frequency of theme – Uniqueness of theme – Negation – Omission

11 11 Methodological Issues and Concerns Erikson’s Triple Bookkeeping Concept Erikson posited three complementary levels for understanding people’s lives:Erikson posited three complementary levels for understanding people’s lives: 1.The body and associated physiological aspects 2.The Ego involves how individuals make sense of their world through life stories and scripts that reflect a narrative approach 3.Family and society involves the impact of social and cultural factors on people's lives

12 12 Psychobiographical Sketches Salvador Dali: Life History Dali is regarded as one of the supreme surrealist artists in historyDali is regarded as one of the supreme surrealist artists in history Dali’ was regarded as the reincarnation of his older brother, which would explain his need for attention and uniquenessDali’ was regarded as the reincarnation of his older brother, which would explain his need for attention and uniqueness Many of Dali’s masterpieces were derived from irrational images he envisioned in dreamsMany of Dali’s masterpieces were derived from irrational images he envisioned in dreams

13 13 Psychobiographical Sketches Salvador Dali : Problems in Adjustment Dali was self-absorbed and prone to narcissistic injury, reacting strongly to personal criticismDali was self-absorbed and prone to narcissistic injury, reacting strongly to personal criticism Dali saw his professors as inferiors, and was expelled from school for refusing to be testedDali saw his professors as inferiors, and was expelled from school for refusing to be tested Dali proclaimed himself as a genius to be compared only with the great mastersDali proclaimed himself as a genius to be compared only with the great masters Dali was devoted and submissive only to his wife, GalaDali was devoted and submissive only to his wife, Gala

14 14 Psychobiographical Sketches Salvador Dali: Personality Traits Dali’s narcissism was evident in his lack of empathy, hostility, and punishing natureDali’s narcissism was evident in his lack of empathy, hostility, and punishing nature Dali’s attention-seeking behaviour was seen even at five-years old when he threw a child from a bridge for sportDali’s attention-seeking behaviour was seen even at five-years old when he threw a child from a bridge for sport Dali’s psychoticism was evident in the bizarre images he paintedDali’s psychoticism was evident in the bizarre images he painted Dali showed a need for exhibitionism, effectance, and dominanceDali showed a need for exhibitionism, effectance, and dominance

15 15 Psychobiographical Sketches Salvador Dali: Explanatory Theories Erikson’s Developmental Stage Theory: Attributes Dali’s need to be special as rooted in childhood problems with identityAttributes Dali’s need to be special as rooted in childhood problems with identity Attributes his odd relation with Gala to an unresolved conflict of intimacy vs. isolationAttributes his odd relation with Gala to an unresolved conflict of intimacy vs. isolation Attributes Dali’s poor student behaviour to problems with industry vs. inferiorityAttributes Dali’s poor student behaviour to problems with industry vs. inferiority

16 16 Psychobiographical Sketches Salvador Dali: Explanatory Theories Alder’s theoretical notions of inferiority and sense of failure can explain Dali’s superiority complexAlder’s theoretical notions of inferiority and sense of failure can explain Dali’s superiority complex Operant conditioning can explain Dali’s bizarre behaviour based on reward for dramatic works and theatrical displaysOperant conditioning can explain Dali’s bizarre behaviour based on reward for dramatic works and theatrical displays

17 17 Psychobiographical Sketches Sylvia Plath: Life History and Adjustment Problems Plath was an accomplished poet and language professor, but suffered from extreme depressionPlath was an accomplished poet and language professor, but suffered from extreme depression Plath attempted suicide and received ECT during hospitalizationPlath attempted suicide and received ECT during hospitalization Plath experienced marital problems which led to shame, and eventual suicide at age 30Plath experienced marital problems which led to shame, and eventual suicide at age 30

18 18 Psychobiographical Sketches Sylvia Plath: Personality Traits Plath was a self- oriented and other- oriented perfectionistPlath was a self- oriented and other- oriented perfectionist Plath was highly self-critical, bordering on self-hatredPlath was highly self-critical, bordering on self-hatred Plath’s extremely negative self-view was exacerbated by external feedback she perceived as cuesPlath’s extremely negative self-view was exacerbated by external feedback she perceived as cues Plath desired the autonomy granted to a malePlath desired the autonomy granted to a male

19 19 Psychobiographical Sketches Sylvia Plath: Explanatory Theories Roger’s conditions of worth explains Path's low self-esteem based on her achievement- focused parentsRoger’s conditions of worth explains Path's low self-esteem based on her achievement- focused parents Plath’s depression could be the result of self-blame for the death of her fatherPlath’s depression could be the result of self-blame for the death of her father Abramson’s theory would attribute Plath’s depression to her having internal, stable, and global attributionsAbramson’s theory would attribute Plath’s depression to her having internal, stable, and global attributions

20 20 Psychobiographical Sketches Sylvia Plath: Explanatory Theories Sullivan’s interpersonal theory would highlight the roles of the good me, the bad me, and the not me in explaining Plath’s perfectionismSullivan’s interpersonal theory would highlight the roles of the good me, the bad me, and the not me in explaining Plath’s perfectionism Erikson would focus on Plath's’ conflict with identity and industry vs. inferiorityErikson would focus on Plath's’ conflict with identity and industry vs. inferiority The diathesis-stress model explains Plath’s perfectionism as a predisposition for depression following negative life eventsThe diathesis-stress model explains Plath’s perfectionism as a predisposition for depression following negative life events

21 21 Psychobiographical Sketches Anne Sexton: Life History Sexton stopped writing in her teens when her mother accused her of plagiarismSexton stopped writing in her teens when her mother accused her of plagiarism Sexton suffered from severe post-partum depressionSexton suffered from severe post-partum depression As therapy for mental illness, Sexton was encouraged to write poetry As therapy for mental illness, Sexton was encouraged to write poetry

22 22 Psychobiographical Sketches Anne Sexton: Problems in Adjustment Sexton’s post-partum depression included psychotic features involving rage and anger toward her childrenSexton’s post-partum depression included psychotic features involving rage and anger toward her children Sexton suffered from alcoholism and depressionSexton suffered from alcoholism and depression Sexton struggled with mental illness, divorced her husband, and later committed suicide at age 45Sexton struggled with mental illness, divorced her husband, and later committed suicide at age 45

23 23 Psychobiographical Sketches Anne Sexton: Personality Traits Sexton’s traits include impulsivity, dependency, neuroticism, insecure attachment style, interpersonal sensitivity, and a need for approval and attentionSexton’s traits include impulsivity, dependency, neuroticism, insecure attachment style, interpersonal sensitivity, and a need for approval and attention Sexton showed high anxiety, anger and hostility, and did not react well to criticismSexton showed high anxiety, anger and hostility, and did not react well to criticism A five-factor profile would include high levels of openness based on her creative abilityA five-factor profile would include high levels of openness based on her creative ability

24 24 Psychobiographical Sketches Anne Sexton: Explanatory Theories Four theoretical models are relevant to Sexton: 1.Bowlby’s Attachment theory addresses her anxious-ambivalent attachment style 2.Blatt’s model addresses her anaclitic depression and dependency based on an insecure attachment style 3.Erikson’s developmental model addresses trust vs. mistrust leading to conflicts in subsequent stages 4.Social learning theory addresses imitation of her alcoholic/impulsive parents

25 25 Psychobiographical Sketches Ozzy Osbourne: Life History and Adjustment Problems Osbourne was the lead singer of Black Sabbath and became a prominent solo artist in the 1980’sOsbourne was the lead singer of Black Sabbath and became a prominent solo artist in the 1980’s Osbourne became known for outrageous stuntsOsbourne became known for outrageous stunts Osbourne’s history includes a criminal past, addiction, and impulsive behavioursOsbourne’s history includes a criminal past, addiction, and impulsive behaviours Osbourne’s extreme behaviour ceased once he became clean and soberOsbourne’s extreme behaviour ceased once he became clean and sober

26 26 Psychobiographical Sketches Ozzy Osbourne: Personality Traits There is a difference between Osbourne the family man and Ozzy the stage personaThere is a difference between Osbourne the family man and Ozzy the stage persona The stage persona is high in sensation seeking with an impulsive nature, whereas the family man is high in agreeablenessThe stage persona is high in sensation seeking with an impulsive nature, whereas the family man is high in agreeableness Osbourne also shows exhibitionism, yet is submissive and dependent on his wife SharonOsbourne also shows exhibitionism, yet is submissive and dependent on his wife Sharon

27 27 Psychobiographical Sketches Ozzy Osbourne : Explanatory Theories Genetic factors may play a role in Osbourne’s addiction as his father and his two children were problem drinkersGenetic factors may play a role in Osbourne’s addiction as his father and his two children were problem drinkers A Freudian approach would focus on an overactive id and an underactive superegoA Freudian approach would focus on an overactive id and an underactive superego Social learning theorists would view Osbourne's addiction as imitative of his father’s behavioursSocial learning theorists would view Osbourne's addiction as imitative of his father’s behaviours Substance abuse provides a sense of power that silenced Osbourne’s sense of inferioritySubstance abuse provides a sense of power that silenced Osbourne’s sense of inferiority

28 28 Psychobiographical Sketches Common Themes across the Psychobiographical Sketches Although all four persons have unique attributes, several themes emerge: 1.Including specific traits provide a more descriptive account than a five-factor analyses 2.Core traits can provide an accurate description 3.A discussion of self-concept supplements analysis 4.A person’s communal self plays a critical role 5.A multidimensional, theoretical approach captures the complexity of each individual

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