Today, he is perhaps best remembered for his contributions to thetrait theory of personality.
Meeting Sigmund Freud had a significant influence on Allport, leading him to develop his own approach to psychology.
During his childhood, his father used the family home to house and treat patients.
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Allport operated his own printing business during his teen years and served as his high school newspaper editor.
After a year of teaching, he returned to Harvard to finish his studies.
Allport earned his PhD in psychology in 1922 under the guidance ofHugo Munsterberg.
When he was 22, Allport traveled to Vienna, Austria, to meet the famous psychoanalyst.
Allport theorized that the child had acquired the behavior from his mother, who appeared to be very domineering.
Freud studied Allport for a moment and then asked, “And was that little boy you?”
The experience would later serve as a reminder thatpsychoanalysissometimes tended to dig too deeply.
On the other hand, Allport believed thatbehaviorismdid not dig deeply enough.
Instead, Allport chose to reject both psychoanalysis and behaviorism and embraced his own unique approach to personality.
By 1930, he returned to Harvard, where he would remain for the rest of his academic career.
Allport’s Trait Theory of Personality
Allport is perhaps best known for his trait theory of personality.
In addition to his trait theory of personality, he left an indelible mark on psychology.
As one of the founding figures of personality psychology, his lasting influence is still felt today.
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