Allport's theory (Gordon Allport)

Gordon Allport's theory emphasizes that personality is made up of individual traits—consistent patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior—that define who we are. He believed traits exist on a continuum from common to rare and that each person has a unique combination of these traits shaping their behavior across different situations. Allport distinguished between central traits (key qualities that influence many behaviors) and secondary traits (more situation-specific). His approach highlights the importance of understanding the person as a whole, focusing on individual differences and how traits develop over time through personal experiences.