Innate Good, Human Nature, Trait theory
A trait is a characteristic of a person. Human beings have many varying traits, such as shy, outgoing, arrogant, and aggressive and so on. There are potentially countless numbers of traits useful in describing human personality (Hogan, 2008). In psychology, trait theories are interested in the measure of personality. There are many models of the trait theory. However, the main characteristic is basic traits, that are present and make the basis for personality and the secondary traits, which manifest under pressure or influence of certain factors (Ryckman et al., 2008).
Trait theory views human behavior as a function of personal traits. If one is considered evil, then their personality traits are classified as evil by the society, such as aggression and abrasive. Desirable traits include loving, patient and kind. The combination of these factors leads to acquisition of personality trait. While most people have a balance trait ratio, some have predominantly positive traits, and proceed to become model citizens and human right activists. Others have negative traits and end up being a problem to the rest of the community (Schultz, 2008).
[...] Lower needs in the hierarchy have to be satisfied for motivation by higher hierarchy needs (Hogan, 2008). BF Skinner, a renowned psychologist, proposed that the behavior is learned. He proposed that human beings are products of their physical environment and not their internal genetic makeup. Person's traits are a product of the environmental factors around them. Albert Bandura reinforced this view by suggesting that the model (part of the environment) influences acquisition of behavior (Schultz, 2008). Learning starts as imitation of models around a child. [...]
[...] (2008). Theories of personality (9th ed.). Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth. Schultz, D. P. (2008). Theories of personality (International 9th ed.). Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth. [...]
[...] Ivan Pavlov is also a main advocate of these theories. Skinner and Watson proposed that reinforcements control learning (Ryckman et al., 2008). Positive reinforcement leads to the high likelihood of recurrence of the behavior. They conducted experiments using pigeons, feeding them grains if they portrayed a positive behavior, and with time, the pigeon acquired the required behavior. Pavlov, on the other hand, famously trained a dog to expect food every time there was a bell. With time, the sound of the bell was enough to make the dog salivate (Ryckman et al., 2008). [...]
[...] In psychology, trait theories are interested in the measure of personality. There are many models of the trait theory. However, the main characteristic is basic traits, that are present and make the basis for personality and the secondary traits, which manifest under pressure or influence of certain factors (Ryckman et al., 2008). Trait theory views human behavior as a function of personal traits. If one is considered evil, then their personality traits are classified as evil by the society, such as aggression and abrasive. [...]
[...] Therefore, the right reinforcements shape human behavior into the desired behavior (Schultz, 2008). In conclusion, there is no available theory that ca exclusively prove that humans are good or evil by nature (Ryckman et al., 2008). All theories emphasize on the effects of the environment and genetics. We have the freedom to decide autonomously what we want to be, and therefore the humanistic approach best captures human nature; our nature is self- deterministic. Bibliography Hogan, R. (2008). Personality: theories & applications . S.l.: Hogan Assessments. Ryckman, R. M., & Ryckman, R. M. [...]
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