Problem:
Trait theorists believe "people possess psychological qualities that endure across time and place" (Cervone & Pervin, 2023, p. 192). Trait theorists use trait constructs to classify an individual's typical behavior, which in turn can help predict "important life outcomes" and further explain the individual's behavior (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). Furthermore, they see personality traits as being biological based and able to explain the individual differences in one's traits (Paunomen & Hong, 2015). They take a more scientific approach in building their theory of personality, as they seek to establish reliable measures regarding the structure of one's personality and have utilizes factor analysis in order to identify these structures. (Cervone & Pervin, 2023; Paunomen & Hong, 2015). Most trait theorists with the exception of Gordon Allport, prefer to develop universal sets of personality traits based on the study of large swaths of individuals. (Cervone & Pervin, 2023; Paunomen & Hong, 2015; Rothbart, 2007).
It is difficult for me to consider personality traits as being static and unchanging, from a clinical perspective as therapist who has worked with both children and adults. I think this is why I gravitated more towards Hans Eysenck's theory, as he attempted to provide a biological base for individuals differences in personality traits while also seeing the potential for behavior change through therapy. His explanation for psychopathology based on Cervone and Pervin's description is that an individual's genetic predisposition and environmental experiences will interact in such a way that can create a person's symptomology. In my own training as a early childhood mental health provider, we often talk about how a child's temperament is biologically based; however, the environment a child is exposed to can either increase or decrease certain behavioral reactions. Based on that child's interactions with their environment and the "goodness of fit" with their caregiver, the intensity of a child's temperamental traits can not only impact their future relationships but their self concept as well (Carey & McDevitt, 1994; Chess & Thomas, 1999). Therefore, it is my understanding that as individuals we may present with certain biologically based personality traits; however, over time and under the appropriate conditions we can grow and change these traits. A meta-analysis by Roberts et al. (2006) found that personality traits can change in adulthood just as they do in childhood and the changes can be positive. Srivastava et al. (2003) also found the Five-factory theory's assertion that personality traits are static after the age of 30 to be misleading, as traits such as conscientiousness and agreeableness increased throughout adulthood. While more longitudinal research is needed outside of Western countries, studies such as these demonstrate the potential for personality traits to be influenced by social context and developmental factors.
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days in one of the following ways:
Offer and support a position with evidence from the literature.
Explain the implications of trait stability or change for clinical practice.
One of the colleagues to whom you respond must have argued a different position regarding the consistency of traits.
Cite at least one scholarly resource in each of your substantive reply posts. Each substantive reply post should be a minimum of 250 words. Need Assignment Help?