Personal Dispositions

According to Allport's psychology of the individual, each person is unique and has a personality that grows and changes. He also believed everyone possesses personal dispositions, which he placed at different levels (cardinal, central, and secondary) based on their importance to a person. You can review these levels of dispositions on pp. 386–387 in Ch. 12 of Theories of Personality.

In this discussion, you explore how a historical figure embodies the 3 levels of personal dispositions. Select one of the individuals listed below as the focus for your response:

Mahatma Gandhi
Vincent Van Gogh
Mother Teresa
Abraham Lincoln
Stephen Hawking
Albert Einstein
Martin Luther King Jr.
Nelson Mandela
Malcolm X
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Marie Curie
Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:

Cardinal traits: What passions, goals, or obsessions are most dominant in your selected individual? How have these cardinal traits contributed to this individual’s motivations or accomplishments?
Central traits: If you were to write a letter of recommendation for your selected individual, which traits would you emphasize?
Secondary traits: Describe which of these individual’s traits the public may be aware of, but that are not fundamental to understanding this individual’s influence on society.
How do you think this individual’s traits influenced his or her career choice?

Full Answer Section

       
  • Integrity: Gandhi lived by his principles, demonstrating unwavering honesty and integrity in all his actions.
  • Fortitude: He possessed incredible resilience and perseverance, enduring years of imprisonment and hardship without compromising his beliefs.

Secondary Traits:

  • Vegetarianism: Gandhi's vegetarianism, while important to him, was not the defining characteristic of his life's work. It was a personal choice that reflected his respect for all living beings.
  • Simple Living: Gandhi embraced a simple lifestyle, rejecting material possessions and advocating for self-sufficiency.

Gandhi's unwavering commitment to nonviolence profoundly influenced his career path. It led him to reject armed resistance and instead pursue peaceful means of social and political change, such as civil disobedience and non-cooperation. His unique blend of spiritual and political leadership transformed the Indian independence movement and inspired countless individuals worldwide.

Sample Answer

       

Let's analyze Mahatma Gandhi through the lens of Allport's personality theory.

Cardinal Traits:

Gandhi's most dominant trait was undoubtedly his unwavering commitment to nonviolence (Satyagraha). This wasn't just a strategy; it was a deeply ingrained belief system that guided every aspect of his life and his political philosophy. His unwavering adherence to nonviolence, even in the face of extreme oppression, fueled his relentless pursuit of Indian independence and inspired movements for social justice worldwide.

Central Traits:

  • Humility: Gandhi consistently downplayed his own importance, emphasizing the power of collective action and the importance of self-sacrifice.
  • Compassion: He deeply empathized with the suffering of the oppressed and dedicated his life to alleviating human suffering.