Gordon Allport: Biography Of The Father Of Personality Psychology

Gordon Allport was an American psychologist who went down in history for laying the foundations of personality psychology. His theory of personality has been considered one of the first humanist theories for its conception of the human being as an autonomous entity with free will. Allport argued that people are not motivated solely by instincts and impulses and are not governed by the past alone.

His work is also narrated in a very didactic way, it is quite entertaining, interesting and attractive for the general public. Without a doubt, an author who deserves to be read not only by experts in psychology, but by anyone who wants to quench their thirst for knowledge and concerns related to the field of psychology.

In addition to his theory on personality, Gordon Allport contributed very important insights to psychology in the fields of motivation, prejudice and the religion of individuals. In this way, his legacy is very wide and he has become a really interesting figure in the field of psychology. Throughout this article, we will reveal some of the particularities and contributions of this psychologist. Will you accompany us to discover it?

Early life

Gordon Allport was born in Indiana in 1897, although his family moved to Ohio when Gordon was still very young. His father was a doctor, but he worked at home. For this reason, Gordon Allport and his brothers were participants in the world of medicine since childhood. This approach to medicine aroused interest in studies and, especially, in psychology.

However, his first steps in academic life were not linked to medicine or psychology. Allport graduated in Economics and Philosophy, although he always showed a great interest in social psychology. Allport lived a fairly quiet life, calm and without too many shocks.

Finally, he trained as a psychologist at Harvard and, after this period, he undertook a trip to Europe, specifically, to Vienna. This trip is one of the most significant events of his life, as it involved the approach to Sigmund Freud. Although, from this encounter, a great admiration for the father of psychoanalysis does not seem to have arisen, but rather the opposite. Gordon Allport, like many other psychologists who made up the humanistic school, considered Freud’s theories quite limiting.

His work

Upon his return from Europe, he began his work as a professor of psychology at Harvard University, where he remained until his death. During his time there, he served on numerous committees and taught truly innovative courses for his time. He was an editor, a member of the faculty, and  in 1939, he was elected president of the American Psychological Association.

He published several books in which his main research is collected. Among them, he highlights  Basic Considerations for the Psychology of Personality,  one of Allport’s most recognized and acclaimed works. During his lifetime, he received numerous awards in recognition of his work and his contributions to the field of psychology. The American Psychological Association awarded him the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award, a highly coveted award in the profession.

Gordon Allport placed a strong emphasis on the motivations and conscious thoughts of individuals, provoking a great interest in the development of the personality. Allport tried to find a balance between the main currents of the moment. Behaviorism was incomplete, superficial; while psychoanalysis was too complex. As a result of the encounter with Freud, the interest in developing his own theory is strengthened.

Contribution to psychology

Gordon Allport is known to be very influential in many areas of psychology, his theory of traits being especially well known. This theory determines that each human being possesses hundreds of traits. He classified 4500 words that define a person and grouped them into three levels:

• Cardinal trait : it is the dominant trait of a person and it is the one that shapes the identity, emotions and behaviors of the individual.

• Central feature : they are main features, although not dominant. They are inherent in most people and lay the foundation for personality and actions.
• Secondary trait : they are private traits, particular to each individual. Often they are only disclosed confidentially and under certain conditions.

Gordon Allport’s legacy

In addition to his Theory of Traits, he identified genotypes and phenotypes; in other words, the internal and external conditions that motivate a person’s behavior. In his work  Personality: a psychological interpretation (1937), he defines personality as: “the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine their adaptation to the environment.”

In addition, he stressed that this personality is different in each individual. He was also interested in the nature of the will, motivation and determination of people. He emphasized the importance of learning, an individual’s behaviors and thoughts are the product of a whole life story. In other words, what an individual thinks at a time is the result of his past, but also of his present.

Gordon Allport promoted the “interdisciplinary movement” at Harvard University, from which emerged the department of social sciences led by Talcott Parsons. Beyond his contributions, he also criticized Freud’s psychoanalysis and radical behaviorism. In turn, he developed the concept of propium , that is, the part of the personality that seems to play an intimate and central role for the person.

He also addressed other issues such as prejudice and religion. Allport carries out an exhaustive analysis of the question of prejudice, exemplifying and deepening the discrimination suffered by Jews and African Americans. All this is collected in one of his most recognized works: The Nature of Prejudice .

Finally, after a life dedicated to study, Allport passed away on October 9, 1967. After his death, he left an unmistakable legacy in the field of psychology. Considered one of the pioneers of humanistic psychology, Allport is undoubtedly an important figure of the 20th century.