Order Description
This assignment calls for you to employ what Gordon Allport (1968) called systematic eclecticism. Prior to beginning work on this assignment, review the section entitled “Convergence of Theories: Eclecticism, Integration, and Unification” in Chapter 1 of your text.
During this course, you have explored seven major models describing the development of personality. Each of these models is based on the ideas of numerous theorists who, while distinct, share commonalities. The course has presented the roles of genetics and environment and has included a discussion of epigenetics. It has also covered definitions of normal and abnormal personality. It is likely you have found yourself drawn to some theories and concepts, but others may not have seemed as relevant to you in describing personality. In this paper, you will create your own theory of personality development by synthesizing the concepts and constructs of all the theories that seem most accurate and appropriate to you and by using those concepts to reflect on your own personality and development.
Identify at least one major concept from each of the seven models of personality studied in the course that resonated most meaningfully with you. Research a minimum of eight scholarly sources related to these concepts to support your statements in the paper. Popular websites and your textbook may augment, but they will not count toward, the minimum number of sources needed for the paper.
The following content and headings must be included in your paper in APA Style. Also, please take note of the suggestions provided for the length for each section in the instructions below.
Instructions:
Provide a general introduction to the topic of theories of personality. Explain what you plan to cover and describe the direction your paper will take. This section will not feature a heading, and it will be approximately two to three paragraphs.
Major Concepts
In this section, you will present the specific concepts identified from the seven models you think best apply to the study of personality in distinct subheadings. These will be the concepts used as the basis for your personal theory of personality development. For each concept subheading, identify the major personality model from which the concept was taken as well as the theorist associated with that model. Provide an analysis for each of the seven concepts chosen describing how each explains personality as well as the development of healthy and unhealthy personality traits. This section will be approximately two to 3 pages.
Excluded Concepts
In this section, compare and contrast the concepts you have chosen to include in your theory of personality development with those you have chosen exclude. Reflect on the basic assumptions that define personality and identify three specific excluded concepts from any of the theories studied in the course. For each of the excluded concepts, provide a rationale explaining the various aspects of the concept that make it unsuitable for your use. This section will be approximately four to six paragraphs.
The Roles of Heredity, the Environment, and Epigenetics
Provide your analysis of the roles heredity, the environment, and epigenetics play in the development of personality. Discuss how heredity and the environment might affect personality disorders. This section will be approximately three to five paragraphs.
Assessment and Measurement of the Theory
Reflect on the major concepts you have selected for inclusion and provide a brief description about how those concepts are measured and/or assessed. Review the assessment sections of each chapter and discuss those measures you think are most applicable and effective. This section will be approximately three to five paragraphs.
Self-Reflection
In this section of the paper, review the self-reflection you wrote in Week One of this class and describe how and in what ways your views have changed. Analyze your Week One self-assessment using the concepts that you have included in your integrative theory and describe how your theory explains your personality. This section will be approximately four to six paragraphs.
Provide a brief conclusion that summarizes the ideas presented in your integrative theory of personality. This section will not feature a heading and it will be approximately two to four paragraphs.
Allport, G. W. (1968). The person in psychology: Selected essays. Boston, MA: Beacon Press
