Theories of Personality?

Question

In regards to personality, there are "outside-in" theories and "inside-out" theories. Could someone please explain to me what theorists mean by this and which psychologists from history are represented by these titles? Thankyou :)

Answer 1

Introverts and Extroverts.

Answer 2

An easy way to think of it is to imagine yourself finding a cockroach inside your residence.

Do you smash the bug and blame it all on the terrible little creatures that thrive and attempt to make your life miserable.

Or do you immediately get on the phone realizing that it is natural and not your fault, but one problem that you can minimize by using resources, mainly yourself calling someone to help.

External persons tend to blame all that happens to them on outside sources, and don't handle things within themselves; internal persons blame most problems on themselves and keep feelings inside, not asking for help.  

Answer 3

OK, so far you have three answers:

1: Introverts and Extroverts  --  This I assume is from someone who goes along with the MBTI Jungian "personality types" thing.

"Introversion" refers to people who process their experiences and decisions, etc., internally, and only present the result when they're finished. With them, one does not really know how they came to a conclusion because they don't involve other people, the environment, etc.

"Extraversion" (not "extrOversion") refers to people who use their environment to process information and experiences. Thus they ask questions, seek information, use the Internet, or whatever. It is clear (sometimes painfully clear!) how such a person has arrived at a conclusion, because they've been so verbal about it!

2:  Intra-psychic vs. extra-psychic --  This is a basic dichotomy in classical psycho-dynamic psychology.

"Intra"-psychic means everything about personality, the mind, problems, etc., takes place within the person and personality, and mostly the mind. Freud and Jung were "intra-psychic" psychologists.

"Extra"-psychic means that much of what goes on in a person's life is external, oout in the world, in the environment, involving other people and relationships, etc. Alfred Adler was an "exdtra-psychic" psychologist, as were his students, Carl Rogers (client-centeredd therapy) and Abraham Maslow ("hierarchy of needs") for two.

However, Adler's ideas also led to several schools of psychological thought that seem intra-psychic in that they are cognitive and involve perceptions, mentality, internal logic, etc. (More on Adler at: http://www.lifecourseinstitute.com). Thus you have Fritz Perls (Gestalt therapy), Albert Ellis (Rational-emotive therapy), and Aaron Beck (Cognitive therapy).

3:  Internal vs. external locus of control --  Basically the question of where is control of your life located (locus): inside you, or outside in the world or other people?

Some people believe their lives are controlled from outside by God, fate, the stars, etc., and therefore they have little or no control over their lives. That's "external locus of control."

Other people believe they are in control of their lives, they can make choices, set and achieve goals, make decisions, etc., and manage their lives and have free will doing it. That's "internal locus of control."

-- Dr. Bob, Adlerian Psychologist

Answer 4

Interesting terminology......Freud (personality was defined and focused within the person) vs. the learning therorists that focused on the environmental factors in the development of the person e.g. Rogers...

Answer 5

I´m sending you this interested article that I found online.

http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2006/10/...

I hope it helps you and clarifies your doubts.

Best regards! =)