Why is it important to study different theories of personality?

          Differing personality theorists have varying definitions for personality and one definition of personality is a pattern of unique characteristics and relatively permanent traits, which give individuality and consistency to an individual’s behavior (Feist & Feist, 2009). There are several reasons why it is important to study different theories of personality. Throughout history, several well-known thinkers and theorists, such as Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson developed differing theories to explain personality, therefore studying their differing theories of personality provides similar, differing, and new aspects concerning personality and by what means they study personality. Also studying different theories enables one to see the point of view each theorist used to make speculations about personality. All developed theories of personality have differing explanations as for what personality is a result of. For example, theories referred to as behavioral theories make the suggestion that personality results from interactions between an individual and his or her environment, while theories referred to as psychodynamic theories of personality emphasize that personality is an influence of the childhood experiences and the unconscious mind. Since theorists cannot agree upon one definition of personality, and since varying theories of personality are developed from the point of view of each theorists, it is important to study different theories of personality to gain a better understanding of what personality is and how an individual's personality develops.

Reference

Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2009). Theories of personality (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.