Thesis on "Theoretical Analysis and Application Project"

Thesis 10 pages (2760 words) Sources: 10 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Affliction Personality

Personality Profile: Wade Whitehouse from Affliction

One of psychology's most basic and essential pursuits is the establishment of an accurate and comprehensive understanding of human personalities. There are several prominent theories regarding the formation and development of personality, but as of yet none has proven itself equally capable of explaining all aspects of personality, or every personality. Different specific theories of personality have been effectively applied to certain cases but have then gone to leave aspects of other cases insufficiently explained. In the following case study, two different major theories of personality -- psychodynamic personality theory and trait theory -- will be used to examine the personality of Wade Whitehouse, a fictional character and the protagonist of the film Affliction, showing the benefits of certain theories over others.

Psychodynamic personality theory is arguably the oldest theory of personality in the formalized discipline of psychology. Though there are actually several sub-theories within the realm of psychodynamics, such theories all find their basic roots in the concepts of psychoanalysis as put forth by Sigmund Freud. Simply put, psychodynamic personality theories assert that events and environments in early childhood and infancy shape and solidify personality, and that personality can be altered by consciously addressing early childhood issues. Trait theory, on the other hand, asserts that there are certain personality traits unique to individuals, as well as imposed by culture. According to trait theory, personality is determined by genetic factors and the overall environment into which one is born. Though events and environment might change the expression of personality, the underlying traits are believed to be "built in."

Wade Whitehouse: Personality Breakdown According to Psychodynamic Theory

Personality Factor

Structure

Process

Growth and development

Psychopathology

Change

Theoretical Description

Personality is based on early childhood events/environment

Later actions are motivated by repressed memories of the early childhood stages

The ability to cope with childhood influences dictates later ability to develop

Neuroses are caused by inadequate/inappropriate fixations and interactions during childhood

Psychoanalysis revealing repressed memories allows for change

Wade Whitehouse

Abusive father/withdrawn mother created untrusting underachiever

At once wants to kill his father and finally earn his love/respect

Static influences create a static life; sudden changes produce erratic and violent behavior

Lack of trust and self-worth leads to attempts of heroism to earn recognition

Mother's death leads to confrontation of father; succumbs to neuroses

Wade Whitehouse: Personality Breakdown According to Trait Theory

Personality Factor

Structure

Process

Growth and development

Psychopathology

Change

Theoretical Description

Personality is built on inborn traits, i.e. genetic differences

Motivation occurs from a combination of individual preferences, stronger traits win out

Traits remain largely static, while different circumstances lead to different manifestations

A change in situation that is not supported by traits leads to disordered behavior; some inborn

Physical changes to brain and conscious behavioral adjustments can create changes in personality, otherwise largely fixed

Wade Whitehouse

Gullibility -- which leads to his suspicions -- is a product of his birth

Willingness to believe theory and prove himself leads to more and more drastic choices

Gullibility leads first to mistrust of Jack, then doubt and disbelief concerning Jack's actions

Resolve conflicts with gullibility, leading to violent actions to restore order and control

Gullibility eventually loses prominence to desire for control and heroism; no change in personality, but change in interaction with externals

Description and Rationale of Personality Trait Theory

Personality theories come in several major forms; trait theories are generally concerned with external attitudes and behaviors that can lead to an understanding of various traits inherent internal traits. These theories have proven somewhat more consistent and effective in identifying and treating certain disorders as well as providing basic therapy than equivalent psychodynamic theories and methodologies (Bhar & Beck 2008; Smith 1999). The general underlying premise behind trait theories is that individuals have certain inborn personality traits, most likely determined by genetics, that continue to influence and affect behavior throughout life (Tzeng & Tzeng 1981). Though external situations and factors also influence the development of and manifestation of certain traits, trait theories place the primary burden of responsibility for the development of unique personalities on internal factors.

Many trait theory-based therapies involve coming to a conscious understanding of one's own traits, and how they can be adjusted and utilized to overcome certain disorders and situations, as opposed to other theories that look to remove or entirely alter certain underlying causes of psychological disorders and disturbances (Milrod 2009; Burgin 2009). When analyzing a given personality using trait theories, it is usually necessary for the individual being analyzed to fill out an extensive questionnaire which provides the researcher with information regarding how the individuals perceive things and react to these perceptions -- provides evidence, that is, of their personality traits (Edwards & Abbott 1973). Observations can also be made without the use of such instruments, provided that sufficient instances of behavior and evidence of attitudes can be observed from the detached perspective of the researcher.

Wade Whitehouse: Character Description

Like most decent protagonists, Wade Whitehouse is a very complex character, though he does not initially seem so. An underachiever and rather complacent individual, he nonetheless hold a position of some (though admittedly very little) authority as a policeman in the small New Hampshire town where he was born and raised. His marriage has ended and his ex-wife has ended up with custody of the couple's daughter, Jill, who treats her father in a manner that is already similar to his ex-wife's and which promises to grow even more so as time passes. Both regard him as a loser; he is not mean or overly selfish (at least, no more so than most human beings, and a good deal less than many), but there is simply nothing noteworthy about him. Wade seem to think little more of himself than his former wife and daughter do, though thoughts of winning custody of his daughter seem to inspire him to make something more of himself. Given that he has never really attempted to do this at any other point in his life, though, and the general lack of encouragement he receives, it should be of little surprise to movie goers or psychologists that his efforts are misguided and ultimately harmful.

Like most individuals, Wade has a fair amount of ambition, and also like many it has been latent for many years. But although this ambition has atrophied from years of disuse, it is quick to come back to full strength during his investigation of a possible murder. It comes back too strong, in fact, as Wade's life is quickly consumed with the idea of proving his friend Jack is a murdered and becoming the town hero for exposing the crime. His girlfriend ends up leaving him, he hits his daughter and causes her nose to bleed, and he ultimately -- though accidentally -- kills his father in a violent retaliation for years of abuse. Throughout the film, his brother Rolfe's narration -- and his dialogue with Wade -- suggests that Wade is never really in control, but is led by other's notions.

Character Analysis: Trait Theory

Recent research has shown that differences in resting brain wave patterns correlate to differences in personality (Hagemann et al. 2002). Though neurology is still far from being able to describe personality simply by examining patterns of brain waves, aggression and impulsive behavior have both been linked to increased brain activity at rest (Hagemann et al. 2002). It is at first difficult to determine whether or not Wade Whitehouse is actually an aggressive personality, or if it is simply the events of the plot that draw the aggression out of him, but his treatment of minor characters in the film (such as his ex-wife's new lover) suggests that aggression is very likely an inborn trait of his, and an EEG might bear this analysis out.

At the same time, conflicting research questions the validity of the claims made by Implicit Personality Theory, one of the major theories under the umbrella of trait theory. Specifically, researchers have questioned the methodology employed in identifying traits and the degree of their expression, which is necessarily a subjective task at some level (Tzeng & Tzeng 1981). This does not necessarily invalidate any findings that support the claims made by trait theory or its proponents, but it demands that increased attention be paid to empirical fact, without letting certain assumptions and hypotheses to color the interpretation of certain events or information. This is, ironically, one of the point made in the film Affliction -- Wade mistakes his beliefs for truths, at the urging of others (particularly his brother Rolfe, and also his father to an extent); having been basically insecure most of his life he becomes too sure of himself in the end.

Edwards and Abbott (1973), on the other hand, are careful to objectively identify the goal and methodology of personality theorists and typists. Personality cannot be measured or assessed directly, but rather is approached indirectly specifically by the study of traits (Edwards & Abbott 1973). In the… READ MORE

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