Trait theorists assert that people have distinct characters that influence their behaviors. Personality can be categorized into two wide dimensions (Nevid & Rathus, 2013). The dimensions are introversion and emotional stability. Healthy personality approach focuses on positive aspects of life. Based on the approach, trait theorists believe that the study of the positive aspects of life is more helpful in addressing human problems.
Trait theorists associate the healthy personality with having the ability to adapt to adjustment (Nevid & Rathus, 2013). They emphasize on the description of individuals’ character rather than on their sources or alteration. According to trait theorists, healthy personality is perceived as the addition of a person’s response repertoire. Notably, response repertoire is achieved through experience.
They believe that humans should focus their concentration on the visible behavior rather than on theorized unconscious forces. Similarly, trait theorists assume that humans should focus on the situational variables of their behavior. In addition, they also upheld the logic of individual freedom or capacities to implement free will (Nevid & Rathus, 2013).
Unlike physicians, trait theorists focus more on healthy personality as a means of helping individuals to become happy (Myers, 2004). As such, the trait theorist approach focuses mainly on the healthy patterns on individual growth and progress (Nevid & Rathus, 2013).
Based on the above approach, trait theorists address humans’ problems by focusing on the positive aspects of life rather than on the negative aspects. The patterns are social and vocational development. On the other hand, physicians focus on the means through which physiology can be applied to help persons address individual challenges and manage stress.
Reference
Myers, D. G. (2004). Psychology (7th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.
Nevid, J. S., & Rathus, S. A. (2013). Psychology and the challenges of life: adjustment in the new millennium (13th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: J. Wiley.