Personality theory

Article By:

Hogan, Robert Hogan Assessment Systems, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Last reviewed:March 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.501000

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• Personality theory, published June 2014:Download PDF Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

A branch of psychology concerned with developing a scientifically defensible conception of human nature—in modern parlance, a general theory of behavior. A personality theory is a set of assumptions and expectations about oneself and other people that guides one's perceptions of, and actions with regard to, oneself and others. Six topic areas—motivation, personality development, moral development, the self concept, the unconscious, and emotional dynamics—form the substance of this field. All personality theories treat some of these six topics and differ largely in terms of how they handle them. Taken together, the various personality theories reflect the best modern judgment regarding the essence of human nature. Personality psychology is another term used for personality theory, and this highlights the study of human behavior and the mind (brain) with regard to personality (see illustration). See also: Brain; Perception; Psychology

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