Chapter 12 Allport: Psychology of the Individual 379A useful theory provides an organization for observations. Does Allport’s
theory meet this criterion? Again, only for a narrow range of adult motives does
the theory offer a meaningful organization for observations. Much of what is
known about human personality cannot be easily integrated into Allport’s theory.
Specifically, behaviors motivated by unconscious forces as well as those that are
stimulated by primary drives were not adequately explained by Allport. He rec-
ognized the existence of these kinds of motivations, but seemed content to allow
the psychoanalytic and behavioral explanations to stand without further elabora-
tion. This limitation, however, does not invalidate Allport’s theory. To accept the
validity of other theoretical concepts is a legitimate approach to theory building.
As a guide for the practitioner, Allport’s theory has moderate usefulness. It
certainly serves as a beacon to the teacher and the therapist, illuminating the view
of personality that suggests that people should be treated as individuals. The details,
unfortunately, are left unspecified.
On the final two criteria of a useful theory, Allport’s psychology of the
individual is highly rated. His precise language renders the theory both internally
consistent and parsimonious.
Concept of Humanity
Allport had a basically optimistic and hopeful view of human nature. He
rejected the psychoanalytic and behavioral views of humanity as being too
deterministic and too mechanistic. He believed that our fates and our traits
are not determined by unconscious motives originating in early childhood
but by conscious choices we make in the present. We are not simply autom-
atons blindly reacting to the forces of reward and punishment. Instead, we
are able to interact with our environment and make it reactive to us. We not
only seek to reduce tensions but to establish new ones. We desire both
change and challenge; and we are active, purposive, and flexible.
Because people have the potential to learn a variety of responses in
many situations, psychological growth can take place at any age. Personality
is not established in early childhood, even though for some people infantile
influences remain strong. Early childhood experiences are important only to
the extent that they exist in the present. Although early security and love
leave lasting marks, children need more than love: They need an opportunity
to shape their own existence creatively, to resist conformity, and to be free,
self-directed individuals.
Although society has some power to mold personality, Allport believed
that it does not hold the answer to the nature of humanity. The factors shap-
ing personality, Allport held, are not as important as personality itself. Hered-
ity, environment, and the nature of the organism are important; but people
are essentially proactive and free to follow the prevailing dictates of society
or to chart their own life course.