According to Gordon Allport, prejudice often involves the prejudgment of individuals because of their real or perceived group memberships.
Based on your understanding of this theory, reply to the following:
Discuss in detail the proposition given by Allport about prejudice that identification with all humankind can significantly reduce negative prejudice.
Also, Gordon Allport and Raymond Cattell differ in their approaches to researching personality, with Allport using the idiographic approach and Cattell using the nomothetic approach.
What are the main differences between the two approaches? Discuss at least two pros and two cons of each approach.
Does research gain from using the Big Five factor theory instead of using either Cattell’s model or Eysenck’s model? Discuss.
Does the Big Five factor theory limit research? Explain.
Hans Eysenck argued that personality is largely biologically determined, or is hereditary.
Discuss this proposition.
Provide evidences that support and negate this proposition?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding Prejudice, Personality Research Approaches, and the Big Five Factor Theory
Prejudice and Identification with Humankind:
According to Gordon Allport, prejudice stems from prejudging individuals based on their group memberships. Allport proposed that fostering identification with all humankind could help reduce negative prejudice. By emphasizing common humanity and shared experiences, individuals may develop empathy, understanding, and tolerance towards those from different backgrounds. This proposition suggests that promoting a sense of universal connection and empathy can counteract biases rooted in group differences and foster a more inclusive society.
Allport vs. Cattell: Approaches to Personality Research:
– Allport (Idiographic Approach):
– Pros:1. Emphasizes the uniqueness of individuals.
2. Focuses on detailed case studies for in-depth understanding.
– Cons:1. Time-consuming and resource-intensive.
2. Limited generalizability due to the emphasis on individual differences.
– Cattell (Nomothetic Approach):
– Pros:1. Allows for the identification of universal traits and patterns.
2. Facilitates comparisons across individuals and groups.
– Cons:1. May overlook individual nuances and complexities.
2. Reductionist in nature, focusing on quantifiable traits.
The Big Five Factor Theory vs. Cattell’s and Eysenck’s Models:
– Benefits of Big Five Factor Theory:
– Provides a comprehensive framework to assess personality traits.
– Widely accepted and researched, allowing for comparability across studies.
– Limitations of Big Five Factor Theory:
– Oversimplifies personality by focusing on broad traits.
– May overlook unique individual variations and context-specific behaviors.
Eysenck’s Proposition on Biologically Determined Personality:
Hans Eysenck posited that personality is largely influenced by biological factors and heredity. He suggested that genetic predispositions play a significant role in shaping personality traits such as extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism. Eysenck’s theory implies that certain aspects of personality are heritable and rooted in biological mechanisms.
Evidence Supporting Eysenck’s Proposition:
– Studies on twins have shown a higher concordance rate for personality traits among identical twins compared to fraternal twins, indicating a genetic influence.
– Neuroimaging studies have identified brain structures associated with specific personality traits, supporting the biological basis of personality.
Evidence Against Eysenck’s Proposition:
– Environmental factors such as upbringing, experiences, and social interactions also play a crucial role in shaping personality.
– The interaction between genetics and environment (nature vs. nurture) is complex, suggesting a more nuanced view of personality development.
In conclusion, Gordon Allport’s proposition on reducing prejudice through universal identification highlights the importance of cultivating empathy and understanding across diverse groups. Contrasting approaches to personality research offer unique insights into individual differences and universal traits, each with its strengths and limitations. The debate on the biological determinants of personality underscores the intricate interplay between genetics, environment, and individual experiences in shaping human behavior and traits.
