Personality Assessment: Social-Cognitive and Humanistic Perspectives

Introduction

Personality is a multifaceted and complex aspect of psychology that plays a pivotal role in understanding human beings. Defining and comprehending personality remains a challenging endeavor, as it encompasses a vast array of characteristics and behaviors. Personality cannot be neatly encapsulated by a single theory, making it a subject of enduring intrigue and debate in the field of psychology. While everyday individuals may perceive personality as a set of distinct characteristics or the impressions a person leaves on others, personality theorists delve deeper, viewing it as the core essence of an individual's true inner nature (Rathus, 2004).

Carver and Scheier (2000) provide a comprehensive perspective on personality, defining it as "a dynamic organization, inside the person, of psychophysical systems that create a person's characteristic patterns of behavior, thoughts, and feelings" (p. 5). In this academic exploration, we will apply the assumptions of the Social-Cognitive and Humanistic theoretical paradigms of personality to evaluate the personality of our case study subject, Myesha.

Social-Cognitive Theory

Social-Cognitive theory, as developed by Albert Bandura, represents an integrative approach that combines behavioral and cognitive perspectives.

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This theory emphasizes the interaction between an individual's cognitive processes and their social environment, which provides the foundation for learning experiences (Passer & Smith, 2007, p. 467). According to Bandura (1999), an individual's thoughts and actions are intertwined with the social world, allowing for self-regulation and active engagement in cognitive processes.

Bandura sees individuals as agentic operators in their lives, capable of intentionally shaping their circumstances through their actions. This perspective asserts that individuals are not passive recipients of environmental influences but active agents who utilize their cognitive and sensory-motor systems as tools to pursue meaningful goals (Bandura, 2001).

Myesha's life choices and experiences align with Bandura's view of individuals as agentic operators. Her decision to study Law, influenced by her stepfather's wishes, highlights the interplay between personal agency and external influences. Bandura's concept of triadic reciprocal interaction posits that an individual's behavior, the person, and the environmental setting all interact as interlocking determinants, each shaping the other (Funder & Ozer, 2001).

For example, Myesha contemplated dropping out of the University due to her involvement in a spoken word group, leading to a strain in her family relationships. These interconnected factors illustrate the complex cause-and-effect dynamics that Bandura's theory seeks to elucidate.

Humanistic Theory

In contrast to the Social-Cognitive perspective, Humanistic theories of personality, rooted in the work of Carl Rogers, emphasize the inherent goodness of humans. These theories prioritize individual experiences, relationships, and an individual's unique understanding of the world. Human nature, from this perspective, is characterized by a natural drive toward personal growth, conscious awareness, and the ability to make choices independently of external influences (Engler, 2008).

Rogers (1951) introduced the concept of the Organismic Valuing Process, asserting that individuals possess an innate ability to discern what is vital for their personal fulfillment. Myesha's situation reflects a conflict between her own values and her mother's wishes, a point at which Rogers would argue she veered away from her Organismic Valuing Process and conformed to external pressures.

Conditional positive regard, as opposed to unconditional positive regard, plays a significant role in shaping an individual's self-concept. When significant others, such as parents, offer conditional positive regard, individuals internalize desired values, leading to the development of "conditions of worth" (Engler, 2008). Consequently, the individual's self-concept becomes grounded in these externally imposed standards rather than their inherent organismic evaluation.

Myesha's family dynamics and her mother's influence on her academic pursuits exemplify the impact of conditional positive regard. Her decision to pursue Law, despite her misgivings, reflects the conditions of worth imposed upon her by her family.

Interplay Between Social-Cognitive and Humanistic Theories

Both Social-Cognitive and Humanistic theories acknowledge the role of the environment in shaping personality but differ in their emphasis. Bandura highlights the individual's active agency in shaping their destiny, while Rogers underscores the importance of congruence between self-perception and lived experiences (Pervin, Cervone & John, 2005).

Myesha's experiences in the spoken word group, which she enjoys, align with Rogers' notion of existential living—living in the present moment. This experience allows her to be true to herself and pursue her passions. However, Social-Cognitive theory posits that individuals' actions and emotions are influenced by their expectations about the future (Pervin et al., 2005). Myesha's decision to continue with the Law program, despite her discontent, may be driven by her expectations of positive regard, financial stability, and the influence of social and economic conditions.

Myesha's struggle to align her real self with her ideal self, as evidenced by her decision to skip a class presentation, is a manifestation of the tension between these two theoretical perspectives. While her high self-esteem acknowledges her capabilities, her low self-efficacy in the context of the presentation reflects her struggles in achieving her ideal self (Friedman & Schustack, 2008).

Moreover, Bandura's concept of self-efficacy, the belief in one's capacity to execute actions effectively, plays a pivotal role in understanding Myesha's decision-making process (Bandura, 1994). Myesha's choices, influenced by her perceived self-efficacy, manifest in her willingness to pursue her passions in the spoken word group and her reluctance to continue with the Law program.

Recommended Instruments for Personality Assessment

Assessing Myesha's personality requires a thorough examination of her self-efficacy, as it plays a vital role in her decision-making and behavior. To measure Myesha's self-efficacy related to career choices, the 'Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale' (CDSE) is a suitable instrument. The CDSE, developed by Hackett and Betz (1981), aligns with Bandura's propositions about self-efficacy. It assesses self-efficacy expectations in various dimensions, such as goal selection, occupational information, problem solving, planning, and self-appraisal, shedding light on her career-related self-efficacy (Taylor & Betz, 1983).

Furthermore, to gain insight into Myesha's self-concept and the tension between her real and ideal self, the Q-Sort assessment, developed by Stephenson (1953), is a valuable tool. The Q-Sort consists of 100 cards with specific characteristic statements that individuals arrange according to their self-perception (Hergenhan and Olson, 1999). This assessment will help Myesha differentiate between her real and ideal selves, revealing any incongruences that may be causing tension and maladaptive behaviors.

By utilizing these instruments, psychologists can assist Myesha in gaining a deeper understanding of her self-concept, self-efficacy, and decision-making processes. This self-awareness can empower her to make choices aligned with her true self, ultimately leading to personal growth and fulfillment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the assessment of personality is a multifaceted endeavor that draws upon various theoretical perspectives. Social-Cognitive and Humanistic theories offer valuable insights into the interplay between individual agency and environmental influences. Myesha's case study illustrates the complexities of personality development, with her choices and struggles reflecting the intricate dynamics between self-concept, self-efficacy, and external pressures. By employing instruments like the CDSE and the Q-Sort assessment, psychologists can help individuals like Myesha navigate the path toward self-discovery and personal growth.