Gordon Allport: Morphogenic Psychology and Early Trait Theory Brief Biography of Gordon Allport lBorn 1897 in Indiana, reared by parents in atmosphere of strict religious severity and hard work. l l1915 – Entered Harvard in footsteps of older brother Floyd Allport (social psychololgist). l l1919-1920 – taught English in Turkish public schools. l l1920 – wrote and met S. Freud, a turning point in Allport’s life; Allport dedicated himself to developing an alternative personality theory. l l1937 – …showed first 75 words of 899 total…

…showed last 75 words of 899 total…disposes a person toward specific kinds of action under specific circumstances. l lPersonality can be understood as the interaction of major and minor “traits” by which a single life is known. l lA psychologist may say that he or she “understands” another person only when that person’s entire life history is examined, only when the life course is observed, and only when the person him- or herself is permitted to contribute a thoughtful examination.