Personality

a functional analysis of the concept

Klaus Holzkamp

pp. 77-86

in: Klaus Holzkamp, Psychology from the standpoint of the subject, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2013

Abstract

In this article, I do not deal with particular personality theories, but pose the more general question of what function the concept of personality has within psychology, i.e. which interests are implied when we use this concept and, hence, are also inherent both in theories working with this concept and the empirical hypotheses and results based upon it. Formulating the question in this way will, if we take it seriously, have significant consequences for a scientifically adequate treatment of the personality problem in psychological research and practice.