Gordon Allport, an American psychologist who made history by laying the foundation for personality psychology, his personality theory was considered one of the first humanist theories for its conception of human beings as an autonomous entity with free will. Allport argued that people are not motivated solely by instincts and impulses, nor are they governed in the past.
His work, on the other hand, is narrated in a very didactic way, being quite pleasant, interesting and attractive to the general public. Without a doubt, he is an author who deserves to be read not only by specialists in psychology, but also by anyone. who wants to quench his thirst for knowledge and his concerns related to the field of psychology.
- In addition to his personality theory.
- Gordon Allport has contributed very important information to psychology in the areas of motivation.
- Prejudice and religion of individuals.
- In this way his legacy is very broad and he has become a really interesting figure in the field of psychology.
- Throughout this article.
- We will reveal some of the peculiarities and contributions of this psychologist.
Gordon Allport was born in Indiana in 1897, but his family moved to Ohio as a child. His father was a doctor, but he worked from home. As a result, Gordon Allport and his brothers had been involved in the medical world since childhood. This approach to medicine has awakened his interest in studies and, above all, in psychology.
However, his first steps in college life were not related to medicine or psychology. Allport specialized in economics and philosophy, although he always showed great interest in social psychology. Allport has had a very quiet, quiet and carefree life.
Finally, he graduated as a psychologist at Harvard and, after that period, made a trip to Europe, specifically to Vienna, a journey that was one of the most significant events of his life, as it was when he approached Sigmund Freud, although this meeting does not seem to have aroused great admiration for the father of psychoanalysis, but quite the opposite. Gordon Allport, like many other psychologists who formed the humanist school, found Freud’s theories quite restrictive.
After returning from Europe, he began his work as a professor of psychology at Harvard University, where he remained until his death. During his time at the institution, he served on several committees and taught truly innovative courses for his time. head, a faculty member, and in 1939 he was elected president of the American Psychology Association.
He has published several books containing his main research, including the basic considerations for personality psychology, one of Allport’s most recognized and acclaimed works. In life, he has received several awards in recognition of his work and contributions to the field of the American Association of Psychology awarded him the Outstanding Scientific Contribution Award, a highly sought-after honor in the profession.
Gordon Allport strongly emphasized the conscious motivations and thoughts of individuals, sparking a keen interest in personality development. Allport tried to strike a balance between the main currents of the moment. Conductism seems incomplete, superficial, while psychoanalysis is very complex. Freud, your interest in developing your own theory was consolidated.
Gordon Allport is known for being very influential in many areas of psychology, especially in his theory of personality traits, this theory determines that every human being has hundreds of traits, classified 4,500 words that define a person and groups them into three levels:
In addition to his theory of personality traits, he identified genotypes and phenotypes; that is, internal and external conditions that motivate a person’s behavior. In his work Personality: A Psychological Interpretation (1937), he defines personality as: “The dynamic organization within the individual of these psychophysical systems that determine their adaptation to the environment. “
In addition, he noted that this personality is different in each individual, Allport also became interested in the nature of a person’s will, motivation and determination, and emphasized the importance of an individual’s learning, behaviors and thoughts, which are the product of a whole. In other words, what an individual thinks in a moment is the result of his past, but also of his present.
Gordon Allport promoted the “interdisciplinary movement” at Harvard University, from which the Department of Social Sciences led by Talcott Parsons was born. In addition to his contributions, he also criticized Freud’s psychoanalysis and radical behaviorism. In turn, he developed the concept of propium. , that is, the part of the personality that seems to play an intimate and central role for the person.
He also addressed other topics such as prejudice and religion. Allport conducted a thorough analysis on the subject of prejudice, illustrating and deepening the discrimination suffered by Jews and African-Americans, all contained in one of his most recognized works: The Nature of Prejudice. .
Finally, after a lifetime of study, Allport died on October 9, 1967; after his death he left an undeniable legacy in the field of psychology. Considered one of the pioneers of humanist psychology, Allport is undoubtedly an important figure of the twentieth century. Century.