PSY 405
Dispositional and Evolutionary Psychology Personality Theory have come a long way and now we have a better understanding. Many psychologists, researchers’ and students have based their work on previous work by their peers, but have been constantly making changes and improving the same ideas and so on. Comparing dispositional and evolutionary theories indicates the similarities and differences between them as well as strengths and weaknesses. With the use of these theories has led to research and tests, like the big five, which help with identify personality characteristics of people.
Dispositional personality theory stems from the fact that your nature, meaning your …show more content…
Dispositional theory have given researchers, psychologists and students a better understanding in the field of personality and very useful setting off work on personality tests, but these have weaknesses’ as well. Dispositional theories rely on honest reporting of the individuals being tested, along with clear communcation during testing. (Westmont.edu, 2002) Perception plays a key role in an individuals answers or how they interpret the questions. An example would be in an individual’s idea of going out may differ from another individuals. Dispositional theories doe not explain to why characteristics are exhibited. (Westmont.edu, 2002) It is more philosophical than scientific in their types of study and receives criticism from the psychology community.
While Evolutionary theory looks at different factors such as; environment, childhood moments, but in doing apply things with evolution. An example is when evolutionary psychology looks more at companion preferences as determined by what individuals see as good for reproduction; not the Oedipus complex as noted by Freud’s theory. One of the weaknesses of evolutionary psychology is that psychology is constantly changing; evolutionary psychology can hypothesize why behavior exists, but does not help to identify future