There are several types of psychological analysis methods that have been derived over the years. The six levels of analysis are the trait-dispositional level, the psychodynamic level, the phenomenological, the behavioral-conditioning level, the social-cognitive level, and the biological level. Each method has been a building block for the next level of personality analysis development. They all share similar methods and analysis goals, while providing insight into a new realm of analysis.
The trait-dispositional level was influenced by the thought that psychoanalytic theory went too deep looking for causes and that behaviorism often did not go deep enough and give people responsibility for their own actions. Trait determines that behavior and personality is based off of unconscious motives, and internal and external conflicts. It is based off of environmental influences as well as unconscious behaviors that affect our personalities. The trait theory is based on the principle that people are led by unconscious motives led by desires. It focuses on the variability of people’s behavior and reactions. It originated from the causes being biological factors, to social factors and influences in the 1940’s.
It focuses on the psychological traits that characterize people and the consistent differences between people. It is “[d]riven by the assumption that the important qualities that characterize a person consist of a finite number of broad traits.”(ch3. pg3)
Analysts believed that traits will be expressed consistently and similarly by behaviors no matter what situation is being dealt with. The main goal is to provide methods to quantify people’s social and personal traits. . Traits are measured and assumed by use of questionnaires, ratings and reports taken on the patient’s dispositions and reactions.
The next level of analysis is the Psychodynamic-Motivational level. Psychoanalytic assessment focuses mainly on the motives or underlying causes for such...