Trait And Psychodynamic Theories Of Personality Psychology Essay

Trait And Psychodynamic Theories Of Personality Psychology Essay By submitting this work I acknowledge that I am its author, that all sources consulted in its preparation are referenced appropriately in accordance with the referencing guide, and that I have not copied from any source. Personality theories concentrate on how traits are developed and how behaviour is generated. Personality traits are durable dispositions of behaviour that occur across a variety of situations. They are like tendencies; a persons predisposition to react in a certain way in various different situations. Trait theories focus on indentifying the characteristics we possess and the degree to which we possess them. However trait theories are starting to address concerns such as how behaviours are developed, how traits are generated and how our goals and motivations affect the development of traits and the degree to which we possess them (Mischel, 1996). On the other hand, psychodynamic theories of human behaviour assume that human lives are ruled by internal unconscious forces and that these forces; which may be images, opinions, or feelings are the chief determinants of who they are and what they do (Kaslow, Magnavita Patterson, 2002).This essay will relate trait theory in comparison to p sychodynamic theory. Gordon Allports trait theory views personality as a combination of stable internal characteristics that an individual displays in a given situation. Conversely, Sigmund Freuds psychodynamic approach emphasizes the interplay of unconscious irrational forces struggling for control in shaping ones personality. Freud believes that human functioning is influenced by three basic structures of the mind: the id, the ego, and the superego, which emerge developmentally. The id, as stated by Freud, is present at birth and works on the pleasure principle. The ego operates on the reality principle and attempts to satisfy the id while obeying societys rules. The emergence of the ego for Freud symbolizes the origin of consciousness and he refers it as the superego; which is the internalized rules of parents in society (Bernstein, Penner, Clarke-Stewart Roy, 2011). On the other side of the coin, Allport argues that varying strengths of many qualities or traits actually determine the personality of a person. Allport had three categories of traits: the cardinal traits, the central traits, and lastly the secondary traits. The cardinal traits govern and shape a persons behavior. Central traits are characteristics that others use to describe another individual. Secondary traits are circumstantial. More recently, trait theorists have indentified five main factors that make up personality; Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (Pastorino Doyle-Portillo, 2012).Thus one can assert that traits are relatively stable predispositions to behave in a certain way whereas psychodynamic theory deals with unconscious motivations and conflicts in ones head. Allport uses the concept of personal disposition and the idiographic approach which focuses on studying one person at a time to explain that every human being possesses unique traits that create a personalised type of behaviour in a particular situation. He also specifies that traits are exclusive characteristics to a particular person alone which generates consistent and specific behaviour patterns (Carducci, 2009). On the contrary, psychodynamic theorists focus on group behaviour and making comparisons between people while describing dynamic interactions between individuals (Jarvis, 2004). Thus one can affirm that the trait approach to personality focuses on predicting a specific individual behavior whereas psychodynamic theories centre on predicting typical behaviour of a group of people. Psychodynamic theorists believe that many of our actions depend on hidden beliefs and emotions. These unconscious forces can bring a change in an individuals behaviour and personality. When a person meets other individuals; he involuntarily experiences a must to behave as they do in order to be accepted. Thus, he suppresses more of his tendencies to be more compatible with the norms of society (Collins ORourke, 2008). In contrast, an individuals behaviour is likely to stay relatively consistent across a broad range of situations over the course of time due to the enduring and stabilizing impact of traits (Mischel, 1996). Hence one can argue that trait theory focuses on constancy in personality while psychodynamic theory hints at change in personality. Trait researchers usually study the processes behind the behaviour related with a specific trait. For example, some psychologists are keen in examining the underlying concerns of shy people which keep them away from the social world (Burger, 2010). Nonetheless psychodynamic theories stress upon the importance of early childhood experiences, the significance of repressed feelings and internal disputes between the conscious and unconscious forces that manipulate our thoughts and behaviour (Plotnik Kouyoumdjian, 2010). Therefore one can state that trait theory focuses on indentifying the mechanisms underlying behaviour while psychodynamic theory emphasizes on describing personality and predicting behaviour instead of explaining why people behave the way they do. Early research has shown that natural physical endowment is more important than environment in determining personality in the sense that it is not simply likely to produce a light or superficial impact on the image that an individual projects vis-Ã  -vis others in the society but rather it is the prime factor which decides whether he or she will be favourably or unfavourably perceived by others in the community. However ownership of a specific trait does not guarantee success in a specific field; for example, honesty, self-confidence and the ability to motivate others are some of the few characteristics which determine leadership. More recent research study showed that an individual possessing the traits mentioned above does not necessarily score high on leadership performance. Combination of both the leadership traits and management skills are needed to create effective leaders (Novick, Morrow Mays, 2007). On the other hand, Freuds psychodynamic theory emphasize hugely on the disp utes between conscious and unconscious forces that manipulate our views and actions (Plotnik Kouyoumdjian, 2010). Thus one can claim that trait theories integrate both the nature and nurture approach when shaping personality while psychodynamic theories rely mainly on the conscious and unconscious forces guiding an individuals behaviour. To conclude; trait theorists are more concerned with indentifying individual characteristics which when combined can be used to describe personality. Proponents of the psychodynamic theory rely heavily on the dynamic forces of the subconscious to explain the perceptions, and behaviours of individuals. These behaviours can lead people to behave in ways that are ineffective and even self-destructive (Mischel, 1996).

Contemporary occupational health and safety Essay

What role did the state, the employers and the workers play in establishing the contemporary occupational health and safety regime? In the 1960s workers in the United States sought state laws to compensate their disabilities due to poor working conditions that lead to Black lung disease. The workers were successful and this win was instrumental in passing the 1970s United States Occupational Health & Safety act, and subsequent policies in other countries including Canada. This paper will discuss the events that took place following this important act. workers, State and Employers role A surge in workers injuries led to young workers demanding improved health and safety conditions. Although employers initially denied the poor working conditions and rejected requests for testing of harmful substances, the workers were persistent and eventually brought awareness and reform to industrial safety concerns. A critical event in Canada’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) movement took place in 1973 when a large amount of mine workers were diagnosed with cancer from exposure to dangerous materials at work. This led to a worker strike and resulted in the mining company and workers coming to an agreement that addressed both worker and union concerns with toxic substances. The workers believed that the government should be their health and safety monitor, and felt that up until this point the government had failed to look after the workers interests. In 1974, the acting government (Progressive Conservative Party) was pressured by the New Democrat Party (NDP) and the United Steel Workers Association to establish a Royal Commission into the health and safety rights of Ontario’s workers. This led to a report that called for government action for OHS policies and legislation. conclusion There were many factors that contributed to the OHS movements, but none as important as the workers fight. Robert Storey (2005) discussed some of the  key aspects in his paper ‘Activism and the making of occupational health and safety in Ontario’: â€Å"The health and safety movement that began to take shape in the late 1960s and early to mid 70s represented a mixture of several unique ingredients. First activism was based almost exclusively in mining and secondary industry, especially steelmaking and workplaces that utilized asbestos in the fabrication of their products. Always among the most dangerous and unhealthy places to work, the attempts by employers in these sectors to speed up production were resulting in notable increases in accidents and injuries. Second the workers who took out the health and safety cause any sectors were young working class males.† He discussed as the young men became aware of their parents poor health conditions, it raised their interest towards their own health and the need for better work conditions. It was their unwillingness to accept injury, disease and death caused by poor work conditions, that led to the safety regulations that Canadian workers benefit from today. References Storey, Robert (2005) Activism and the making of occupational health and safety in Ontario, 1960s-1980 Policy and Practice in Health and Safety (pp 41-68) Essay 1.2 – Why are some workplace hazards and conditions more readily recognized than others? In particular, discuss the issues of women in the workplace and workplace pollution. Workplace Hazards A workplace hazard is a dangerous situation that exposes a worker to potentially harmful condition. Workplace hazards can be identified in several categories including physical hazards (tripping), biological hazards (exposure to viruses), chemical hazards (exposure to toxic chemical) and though it is often overlooked, psychosocial hazards (verbal abuse). Through the industrial revolution, workers were exposed to new technologies that resulted in new and increased workplace hazards. However it is not only the technology that caused these hazards, but also the competitive nature of  capitalism to minimize costs, at the cost safety and working conditions. Foster (2011, page 5) also point out that â€Å"the use of new chemicals and compounds also brings a new kind of hazard to the workplace – the occupational illness†. Women in the Workplace We often relate workplace hazards to jobs that involve large machinery and extreme working conditions. However working as a Hotel housekeeper changing bedding all day or doing data entry in an office can also be hazardous to the workers health, it is just not as easily recognized. Foster (2011, page 15) states that â€Å"In general, men and women do perform different types of work, but the differences in their reported injury rates are not because one type of work is less dangerous than the other. The discrepancies are due mainly to our gendered notions of work, danger, and the human body, and so we need to look at work and its hazards differently. Of the disabling injury claims in Alberta in 2008, only 27 percent were women even though women make up 45 percent of the workforce. Because the male dominated jobs like working construction are viewed as more dangerous, these types of jobs are more likely controlled with health and safety standards and hazards more easily recognized and reported. Workplace Pollution Workplace pollution is the presence of hazardous materials within a workplace that may get in contact with people while performing their job. Such workplace pollutants may affect both the worker’s and surrounding communities health. Foster (2011, page 10) explains that workplace pollution differs from other hazards â€Å"both in its nature and its consequences for workers†. Physical hazards (ie: falling off a platform or cutting your hand) are easily recognized, but workplace pollutants are difficult to recognize as they are often odorless, silent or invisible. Exposure to hazardous materials can occur through breathing polluted air, contact with toxic materials, accidental ingestion of toxins or excessive noise that can affect a worker’s hearing. The most common workplace pollution occurs from breathing polluted air. A large amount of workplace illnesses go unreported, as even the workers and doctors may not be able to make the connection of their illness to exposure to toxins in the workplace. What further complicates this, is when symptoms don’t appear for years after exposure.  Other issues with properly identifying the cause of illness is that the science behind a condition may be unknown or contested, or the fact that exposure to toxins can result in a variety of side effects depending on the individual. Conclusion There are several ways to improve workplace hazards for jobs that are not easily recognized as dangerous, such as the ones we discussed above. However it is not an easy solution. As women have been striving for equal rights and equal pay among many other things when it comes to our male counterparts, this sometimes comes with a catch. For example there may be specific safety concerns for a pregnant women to perform a physically demanding job, that would not be a concern for a male. By requesting special treatment for a pregnant women, it weakens women’s equality efforts. In my opinion, decreasing workplace pollution is a little more straight forward, especially with new technologies available. Monitoring equipment and laboratory testing can test for avoid workplace pollutants, that would lead to severe health issues to workers and potentially surrounding communities. As social responsibility is an increasingly important part of a company image to the social and investment community, it helps workplace hazards get the attention, funding and education required to reduce workplace hazards. References Foster, J (2011). Industrial Relations 308, Study Guide Athabasca University Unit 1 Notes Workplace Pollution. Retrieved May 5, 2013 http://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/workplace/ Workplace Hazards. Retrieved May 5, 2013 http://humanservices.alberta.ca/working-in-alberta/3109.html

The Life of Rene’ Descartes His Works and His Beliefs in God

Was Rene’ Descartes just a visionary of truth, mathematical equations or was he truly a man that knew he was born to tell the world about life, knowledge, and how it all came together metaphorically? Please see the research on Rene’ Descartes cited accomplishments. Descartes was known as the first modern philosopher. Famous for making a connection between geometry and algebra, which allowed for solving of geometrical problem by way of algebraic equations, which promoted a new conception of matter, which accounted for physical phenomena by way of mechanical explanations and the premise of knowledge of ones self and the existence of God. (Descartes Life and Works, Kurt Smith. Fall 2010 ed) Descartes was born March 31, 1596 to†¦show more content†¦Discourse was Descartes first published work. This particular work told of Descartes early education and his love for mathematics. But, was most famous for writing a short work called, Meditations de Prima Philosoph ia (Meditations of First Philosophy). Published in 1641, this book provided a philosophical groundwork for the possibility of the Sciences. (Descartes Life and Works, Kurt Smith. Fall 2010 ed). Descartes famous phrase â€Å"I think, therefore I am†, searched for reason to find truth. He began to question his own existence and everything pertaining to life. His thoughts included nutrition and digestion, the blood circulation, muscles and transmission of senses from the brain. Meaning how the laws of nature could be in the world. He questioned the idea of the mind and if in fact it was the foundation, but initially through philosophy being detached from history and tradition. (Descartes Life and Works, Kurt Smith. Fall 2010 ed). He then questioned the existence of self, again the â€Å"I am theory† gave way to the existence of the ego or cogito, which gave way to the Cogito argument. He formulated that concepts are the existence of certainty. By which according to Descartes, whatever thinks must exist. Descartes truly believed that nature of a human mind is thought. (Daniel Garber. 1988, 2003 ed) Questioning the existence of thought of the human mind allowed Descartes to validate the existence of God, whereas the thought contained in theShow MoreRelatedDescartes : The Father Of Modern Philosophy1055 Words   |  5 Pagesthe fact that I am something.† (Descartes, â€Å"Meditations on First Philosophy,† 182) Rene Descartes is widely considered the father of modern philosophy. He created many new ideas about the self, which is something that has been contested since the dawn of philosophy. Even now, the world is nowhere near a unified thought on the soul. Descartes is most famous for addressing this, and is often summarized by the famous â€Å"Cogito Ergo Sum (I think, therefore I am)†Descartes offers a great deal of importantRead MoreEssay Rene Descartess View on God1300 Words   |  6 PagesRene Descartess View on God      Ã‚  Ã‚   In 1996, songwriter Joan Osborne performed a song called One of Us that was nominated for three Grammy Awards.   What made this song so successful and interesting were the powerful lyrics that basically asked, What if God were a human being?   As she was writing the lyrics to One of Us, she was wondering about God and how the world would be different if God did exist in real life and not just a supernatural force.   You may be asking yourself, What doesRead MoreRene Descartes’s Trademark Argument States that God is the Center of the World875 Words   |  3 PagesGod’s respect. He believes that God exists due to the inference that if something is the cause of something else, that something exists. In the passage from page 25, part 5 of Renà © Descartes’s â€Å"Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy,† the author attempts to explain the meaning behind the way God decided to: create the world as we know it, and maintain it . Descartes uses logic-based reasoning to explain 3 things: why he has an idea about God at all, how his idea was formulated, and whyRead More Descartes Essay1269 Words   |  6 Pages In the early 17th century a philosopher named Descartes, questioned his existence. His life was dedicated to the founding of a philosophical and mathematical system in which all sciences were logical. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Descartes was born in 1596 in Touraine, France. His education consisted of attendance to a Jesuit school of La Fleche. He studied a liberal arts program that emphasized philosophy, the humanities, science, and math. He then went on to the University of Poitiers whereRead MoreThe Science Of Math And Science By Mathematical And Experimental Proof1144 Words   |  5 Pagesblasphemous through their beliefs or teachings. Two men, born and raised in religious and still skeptic times were Renà © Descartes and Charles Darwin who, with their most â€Å"infamous† books, â€Å"The Mediation† and â€Å"the Origin of Species† would create chaos in the minds of religious believers at the time but, in the long-run, would be considered to be true and deemed to have a major impact how humans handle situations in today’s non-religious world. The father of modern philosophy, Renà © Descartes, was born and raisedRead MoreThe Approach to Nature of Descartes and White Essay766 Words   |  4 PagesThe Approach to Nature of Descartes and White The approach to nature which Renà © Descartes takes is distinct from that of Gilbert White. Descartes and White have similar key methods of examining nature. It is mainly in Descartes’ deductive reasoning and beliefs that lead him to the methodRead MoreDescartes Belief in God Essay1503 Words   |  7 PagesDescartes and God In his groundbreaking work, Meditations on First Philosophy, the French philosopher Rene Descartes lays the groundwork for many philosophical principles by attempting to â€Å"establish a bold and lasting knowledge† (171)1. The foundations for knowledge Descartes established would go on to influence a plethora of other philosophers and philosophical works. Descartes argues in his meditations first from the point of view of complete skepticism, using skepticism as a tool in order toRead MoreProposed Seven Philosophers On The Existence Of God And Their Development Of These Ideas1413 Words   |  6 Pagesand (7) Rene DesCartes. The specific three I want to focus on being; St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas and Rene Descartes. Lastly, I will proceed to relate their ideas on the existence of God and their development of these ideas. St. Augustine s epistemology is rationalization. In his argument for the existence of God, he is referring to varying degrees of perfection otherwise know as, an Ontological argument. He believed that in pursuing truth, it would lead to the epicenter of all truth, God. UponRead MoreMeditations on First Philosophy Essay examples1290 Words   |  6 Pagesnotion was dictated by Rene Descartes in his 1641 metaphysics work, Mediations on First Philosophy, and influenced all modern philosophical works written after Descartes revolutionary achievement. This work was written at a time when modern physics was being developed as a mathematization of nature. The principles of metaphysics contain in Meditations were developed in order to serve as the basis for this new system of physics. In it, Descartes refutes many Aristotelian beliefs that were popular andRead MoreDescartes and Hume: A Look at Skepticism and Finding Stability915 Words   |  4 PagesRenà © Descartes was a skeptic, and thu s he believed that in order for something to be considered a true piece of knowledge, that â€Å"knowledge must have a certain stability,† (Cottingham 21). In his work, Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes concludes that in order to achieve this stability, he must start at the foundations for all of his opinions and find the basis of doubt in each of them. David Hume, however, holds a different position on skepticism in his work An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding

Essay on Stress In The Workplace - 532 Words

An increasing number of employers are becoming aware of the adverse affects that stress can have on an employees performance and are offering different programs to help employees manage stress in their lives. This approach is proving to increase workplace performance, as well as improve employee loyalty and retention in the long run. What Causes Stress? Causes and Concerns Stress has been defined as a physiologic reaction to uncomfortable or unaccustomed physical or psychological stimuli. The biological variations that can result from stress of the sympathetic nervous system include a heightened state of alertness, anxiety, rapid heart rate and sweating. Not surprisingly, everyone has different triggers that cause stress in†¦show more content†¦This sort of negative attitude can be contagious and adversely affect the moods and attitudes of other employees throughout the office and workplace. Simply put, just the effects of low concentration and limited communication skills i s enough to seriously disrupt a workforce and cause a marked drop in production. Employees who are feeling unproductive and isolated may avoid communicating due to the burden of being overwhelmed and thus contribute less to the organizations successes. Effects of Stress on Employers Talent and Time Health-care costs, absenteeism, and workplace safety are the issues most adversely affected by workplace stress. Many employers are becoming more aware of how work stress can affect employee performance and are responding by offering a diverse array of programs to help employees better manage the stress in their lives. Graduates of a Master’s program in I/O Psychology help employers put together a wide array of programs to assist with stress in the workplace. According to the New York Times, top companies are now offering their employees different programs and benefits such as those to reduce work-life pressures for families. Additionally, leadership training on worker stress, onli ne healthy lifestyle programs, physical activity programs, stress awareness campaigns, financial management classes, and personal health and lifestyle management coaching are being developed. SomeShow MoreRelatedWorkplace Stress1922 Words   |  8 Pageswork as stressful. According to the Holmes-Rahe Life Events Scale, which rates levels of stress, many of the most stressful events in life are related to the workplace. Some examples are firings, business readjustments and changes in financial status, altered responsibilities, a switch to a different line of work, trouble with the boss, changes in work hours or conditions, retirement and vacations. Workplace stress costs American employers an estimated $200 billion per year in lower productivity, absenteeismRead MoreThe Effects Of Workplace Stress On The Workplace1472 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction â€Å"Work stress is one of the oldest issues in organizational psychology and is considered one of the most severe occupational injuries in modern society† (Chou, Chu, Yeh, Chen, 2014, p. 115). Overcoming this severe issue of workplace stress is an important topic to discuss. It is defined as the events or circumstances that cause strain to an employee, which can result in physical, mental, and emotional consequences (Dextras-Gauthier, Marchand, Haines, 2012; Nà ¤gel, Sonnentag, Kà ¼hnelRead MoreThe Effects Of Stress On The Workplace Stress1387 Words   |  6 PagesWorkplace stress comes in endless types of reactions and is different from employee to employee. According to Hitt, Miller, Colella in Organizational Behavior, stress is a feeling of tension that occurs when a person perceives that a situation is about to exceed her ability to cope and consequently could endanger their well-being. Job stress is the feeling that one’s capabilities, resources, or needs to not match the demands or requirements of the job. In today’s world everybody deals with some sortRead MoreStress Management in the Workplace1100 Words   |  5 PagesPsychopathology in the Workplace 1 Week 2 Online Writing Assignment Consultant For Methodist Hospital: Stress Management Module Tomeka Flowers ORG 5270 University of the Rockies ORG 5270: Mental Health amp; Psychopathology in the Workplace 2 Week 2 Online Writing Assignment Abstract In recent months Methodist Hospital have developed a stress management program. The organization is struggling in their ability consistently manage the program. Though stress management programRead MoreCauses of Workplace Stress969 Words   |  4 PagesCauses of Workplace Stress There are many factors that can exacerbate the causes of stress in the workplace. The challenges faced by people in the workplace make the job more exciting and interesting. However, there are challenges that can also have negative effects. The normal reaction to stress is tension, anxiety and excitement and work-life goes back to normal after a while. If however, the stress becomes overwhelming or if it happens too often, there can be a problem getting back to the normalRead MoreThe Effects Of Stress On The Workplace1563 Words   |  7 PagesEmotions in the workplace play a crucial role in how organizations communicate within and to the outside world. Emotional states in the workplace have strong influence on the outcomes and dictates behaviors and attitudes within organizations. Positive emotions help employees attain favorable outcomes including job enrichment, achievement and higher quality social context. There is smooth relationship in the workplace when there are positive emo tions. Negative emotions on the other hand change theRead MoreStress in the Workplace Essay1426 Words   |  6 PagesStress in the workplace Stress in the workplace has become one of the increasingly popular topics of discussion over the last couple of decades. It has become a major concern among various organizations creating an impact on the management and operations of the organization. This paper will give a detailed definition of what stress in the workplace is and the most common causes of stress amongst both employers and employees. In the midst of investigating the causes of stress, I will give an outlineRead More Stress In The Workplace Essay562 Words   |  3 Pages Stress by definition is an interaction between individuals and any source of demand (stressor) within their environment. Employment can be an exciting challenge for many individuals; it can also be a tremendous source of stress. (Long, Bonita C.) Stress in the work place can cause many individuals harm emotionally and physically. Several reasons for the intense amounts of stress are; too many demands from co-workers, supervisors constantly breathing down your back, elevated noise levels in theRead More Stress In The Workplace Essay1684 Words   |  7 Pages Introduction In this essay it is my intention to show how stress appears in working environment, what causes it and how it affects the workplace. I will start by defining what stress is and how it might be perceived. Then I will take a look at the factors that cause stress and how these might show in result when working. I try to look at all the possible reasons for stress and through that hopefully to show how to avoid a stressful environment. I will not try to put straight answers on to paperRead MoreThe Effects Of Stress On The Workplace1398 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Stress is the body’s response to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental and emotional responses. Stress is a normal part of life.†(WebMD UK) Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure. Pressure turns into stress when one feels unable to cope. For workers everywhere, the economy may feel like an emotional roller coas ter. Layoffs and budget cuts are common in the workplace, and the result is increased