Question 9

Dr. Arden is most likely to agree with the Trait approach to personality.

Dr. Arden's belief in understanding personalities through a few specific, stable characteristics aligns closely with the Trait approach, which emphasizes the identification and measurement of individual traits as the primary means to comprehend personality.

A) Social cognitive

The Social cognitive approach focuses on the influence of social interactions and cognitive processes on behavior, rather than emphasizing stable personality characteristics. This perspective would not align with Dr. Arden's belief in fixed traits as the core of personality understanding.

B) Trait

The Trait approach is centered on the idea that personality can be understood through a set of stable characteristics or traits, which is exactly what Dr. Arden subscribes to. This approach is effective in categorizing individuals based on consistent behavioral patterns, making it the most suitable option for her perspective.

C) Psychodynamic

The Psychodynamic approach, founded by Freud, emphasizes the influence of unconscious processes and childhood experiences on personality development. This view contrasts with Dr. Arden's focus on specific, stable traits, making it an unlikely fit for her beliefs.

D) Humanistic

The Humanistic approach values personal growth and self-actualization, focusing on individual experiences and the inherent goodness of people. While it provides a positive view of personality, it does not concentrate on stable, specific traits, which is central to Dr. Arden's understanding.

Conclusion

The Trait approach is definitively the correct choice for Dr. Arden's perspective, as it emphasizes the stable characteristics she believes are essential in understanding her clients' personalities. Other approaches, such as Social cognitive, Psychodynamic, and Humanistic, do not align with her focus on specific traits, highlighting why they are not suitable options.