Concepts about personality arise in different ways. People develop conceptions of personality every day as they interact with each other. On the other hand, there are scientific theories that are developed through an intellectual process. Both the daily conceptions of personality and the scientific theories of personality have similarities; however, they have various differences that distinguish them from each other.
Whereas personal conceptions about personality are developed through passive observation and without specific goals in mind, scientific theories of personality are developed through a critical scientific process that has specific goals (Cervone & Pervin, 2015). The theorist pursues five objectives and must use both theory and evidence before drawing any conclusions. Thus the different personality theories differ in the way they achieve the five objectives.
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Personality theorists study a large number of subjects and thus base their theories on a large number of individuals. This serves to ensure that their theories are not biased. Laypersons on do not take into account other people, thus their theories may be based on and dividable person of a few people and this makes them subjective. The personality theorists have to avoid subjectivity and thus unlike the laypersons, they must ensure that their theories are objective. The theorists have to ensure that preconceptions and biases that they may harbor do not interfere with their observation of their subjects. For they laypersons, the preconceptions and biases may for the basic part of their concepts of personality. The theorists have various methods at their disposal to ensure subjectivity. The tools facilitate the study of the subjects' emotional reactions, thinking processes and biological systems and how they contribute to their personality and functioning. The tools include data tools such as L-data, O-data, T-data, and S-data (Cervone & Pervin, 2015). Different measures such as nomothetic and ideographic techniques are also used. These are also complemented by evidence of the brain functioning. Despite observing subjects the way the lay people do, the use of the various tools makes the theorists approach superior.
The scientific approach makes scientific theories systematic. The approaches include case studies, personality questionnaires, correlational research, laboratory studies, and experimental research. The scientific theories have clear descriptions which provide a systematic description and thus make it possible for other to understand the theory. The factors or elements that lead to various descriptions and conclusions are clear and is thus possible to apply the theory elsewhere. The scientific theories are also testable through objective evidence and processes. Theorists always ensure that their theories are testable.
Another difference between scientific theory and personal conceptions is the comprehensiveness. Scientific theories are more comprehensives since they provide detailed information on the nature of the personality. The scientist must get answers to all questions pertaining to the personality. There must be clarity on how the personality developed, how the personality functions and how it is different from other personalities. Scientific theory must also be transferable to practice (Cervone & Pervin, 2015).
A layperson does not require a lengthy process to determine or develop his/her personality theory. The person primarily relies on intuition and experience. The trait a layperson assigns to his/her subject may be a product of stereotypes and preconceived biases arising from interaction with other people or the media. The traits may also be assigned without adequate information and thus the personality typing may not be comprehensive. It is also rarely testable. As a result, although the layperson may come up with a fiction personality for his/her subjects, such personality typing may not be adequately reliably. In a nutshell, both approaches enable individuals to develop theories on personality types which they use to understand different people. The differences in reliability arise due to the difference in approaches tools and level of objectivity.
Reference
Cervone, D., & Pervin, L. A. (2015). Personality: Theory and Research, 13th Edition (Kindle Edition) . Wiley.
