356 Part IV Dispositional Theories
Allport argued against particularism, or theories that emphasize a single
aspect of personality. In an important warning to other theorists, he cautioned them
not to “forget what you have decided to neglect” (Allport, 1968, p. 23).
In other words, no theory is completely comprehensive, and psychologists
should always realize that much of human nature is not included in any single
theory. To Allport, a broad, comprehensive theory is preferable to a narrow, spe-
cific theory even if it does not generate as many testable hypotheses.Biography of Gordon Allport
Gordon Willard Allport was born on November 11, 1897, in Montezuma, Indiana,
the fourth and youngest son of John E. Allport and Nellie Wise Allport. Allport’s
father had engaged in a number of business ventures before becoming a physician
at about the time of Gordon’s birth. Lacking adequate office and clinical facilities,
Dr. Allport turned the household into a miniature hospital. Both patients and nurses
were found in the home, and a clean, sterile atmosphere prevailed.
Cleanliness of action was extended to cleanliness of thought. In his autobi-
ography, Allport (1967) wrote that his early life “was marked by plain Protestant
piety” (p. 4). Floyd Allport, his older brother by 7 years, who also became a famous
psychologist, described their mother as a very pious woman who placed heavy
emphasis on religion (F. Allport, 1974). As a former schoolteacher, she taught
young Gordon the virtues of clean language and proper conduct as well as the
importance of searching for ultimate religious answers.
By the time Gordon was 6 years old, the family had moved three times—
finally settling in Cleveland, Ohio. Young Allport developed an early interest in
philosophical and religious questions and had more facility for words than for
games. He described himself as a social “isolate” who fashioned his own circle of
activities. Although he graduated second in his high school class of 100, he did
not consider himself an inspired scholar (Allport, 1967).
In the fall of 1915, Allport entered Harvard, following in the footsteps of his
brother Floyd, who had graduated 2 years earlier and who at that time was a
graduate assistant in psychology. In his autobiography, Gordon Allport (1967)
wrote: “Almost overnight my world was remade. My basic moral values, to be
sure, had been fashioned at home. What was new was the horizon of intellect and
culture I was now invited to explore” (p. 5). His enrollment at Harvard also marked
the beginning of a 50-year association with that university, which was only twice
briefly interrupted. When he received his bachelor’s degree in 1919 with a major
in philosophy and economics, he was still uncertain about a future career. He had
taken undergraduate courses in psychology and social ethics, and both disciplines
had made a lasting impression on him. When he received an opportunity to teach
in Turkey, he saw it as a chance to find out whether he would enjoy teaching. He
spent the academic year 1919–1920 in Europe teaching English and sociology at
Robert College in Istanbul.
While in Turkey, Allport was offered a fellowship for graduate study at
Harvard. He also received an invitation from his brother Fayette to stay with
him in Vienna, where Fayette was working for the U.S. trade commission. In
Vienna, Allport had the meeting with Sigmund Freud that we briefly described in