Early LifeAmerican psychologist

Allport was born in Montexuma, Indiana, the youngest of four sons of John Edwards

and Nellie Edith (Wise) Allport.He and his brothers grew up surrounded

by their father's patients, nurses, and medical equipment, and he and his

brothers often assisted their father in the clinicBiographers describe Allport as a shy and

studious boy who lived a fairly isolated childhood. As a teenager, Allport

developed and ran his own printing business while serving as editor of his

high school newspaper. He attended Harvard University, where one of his older brothers, Flloyd Henry Allport,

was working on his Ph.D. in Psychology

While at Harvard, Allport exhibited his social interests by volunteering in various

capacities, including as a probation officer, assisting foreign students, helping

war veterans, and participating in a Boston boy’s club.Professional life

Allport began his instruction in psychology at Harvard. He taught “Personality: It’s

Psychological and Social Aspects,” which was a study derived from the research he had previously conducted with his brother.

In 1955, his fifth publication was released, Becoming: Basic Considerations for Psychology of Personality. 

A Trip to ViennaAllport told the story in his

autobiographical essay in Pattern and Growth in PersonalityAfter his graduation from college, he

spent some time in Europe and had the opportunity to meet Sigmund Freud while

in Vienna.He told Freud of a boy he met on the train. The boy appeared afraid of dirt,

even when his mother tried to reassure him. 

Allport suggested that perhaps the boy had learned this dirt phobia from his

mother, a very neat and apparently rather domineering type.

"And was that little boy

you?“-freudAllport felt that Freud’s response

was highly dismissive of his current feelings and motivations.

He also believed that the tendency

of psychodynamic psychology to examine

people’s unconscious motives and their past could lead to overlooking present issues. 

Personality Trait TheoryAlthough Allport is noted as being influential in

many areas of psychology, he is particularly well known for his trait theory.

Allport determined that every human being possesses hundreds of traits that exist on one of three levels:

CARDINAL TRAITCENTRAL TRAIT

SECONDARY TRAIT

Cardinal traitThis characteristic is a person’s dominant trait

and serves to mold a person’s identity, emotions and behaviors.These are the ruling passions/obsessions, such as a need for

money, fame etc.Cardinal traits are powerful, but few people have personalities dominated by a single trait. Instead, our personalities are typically

composed of multiple traits.

Central traitThese are general characteristics found in varying degrees in

every person (such as loyalty, kindness, agreeableness, friendliness, sneakiness, wildness, or grouchiness).

These are the basic building blocks that shape most of our behavior although they are not as overwhelming as cardinal

traits. 

Secondary traitnot quite as obvious or consistent as central traits. They are plentiful but are only present under specific

circumstances; they include things like preferences and attitudes.These secondary traits explain why a person may at times exhibit behaviors that seem incongruent with their usual

behaviors.For example, a friendly person gets angry when people try to tickle him; another is not an anxious person but always feels nervous

speaking publicly. 

Genotypes & Phenotypes

Allport hypothesized the idea of internal and external forces that influence an individual’s behavior. He called these forces Genotypes and

Phenotypes.

are internal forces that relate to how a person retains information and

uses it to interact with the external world. 

are external forces, these relate to the way

an individual accepts his surroundings and how others influence their

behavior.

Prepared by: Keith Hans Dreyco CarasigIvee Marielle Laquindanum

Lara Mei SantiagoMary Ranileth Cabrera

Nicole John TanJamaica Gatdula

Nicole DespiJaqueline Anne De Luna

Qian Xi Orillaneda