Allport, Gordon
Early Life and Education
Gordon Willard Allport was born on November 11, 1897, in Montezuma, Indiana, USA. He was the youngest of four sons in a family that valued education and hard work. His father, John Edwards Allport, was a physician, and his mother, Nellie Edith Wise Allport, was a school teacher. The Allport family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Gordon spent most of his childhood. He attended Glenville High School, where he excelled academically and was actively involved in extracurricular activities.
In 1915, Allport entered Harvard University, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Floyd Allport, who would also become a prominent psychologist. Gordon Allport graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1919, majoring in philosophy and economics. His interest in psychology was sparked during his undergraduate years, leading him to pursue graduate studies in the field. He earned his Master’s degree in 1921 and a Ph.D. in psychology in 1922, both from Harvard.
Academic Career and Contributions
After completing his doctorate, Allport spent a year studying in Europe, where he was influenced by the work of Sigmund Freud and other prominent psychologists of the time. Upon returning to the United States, he joined the faculty at Harvard University as an instructor in psychology. Allport's academic career was primarily based at Harvard, where he became a full professor in 1942 and remained until his retirement in 1967.
Personality Theory
Gordon Allport is best known for his pioneering work in the field of personality psychology. He was one of the first psychologists to focus on the study of personality traits, which he defined as consistent patterns of behavior, thoughts, and feelings. Allport's approach to personality was idiographic, emphasizing the uniqueness of the individual, in contrast to the nomothetic approach that seeks general laws applicable to all individuals.
Allport introduced the concept of cardinal, central, and secondary traits. Cardinal traits are dominant characteristics that define a person's behavior across all situations, while central traits are general characteristics found to some degree in every person. Secondary traits are more situational and less consistent. Allport's trait theory laid the groundwork for later developments in personality psychology, including the Five Factor Model.
The Nature of Prejudice
In 1954, Allport published "The Nature of Prejudice," a seminal work that explored the psychological underpinnings of prejudice and discrimination. This book integrated insights from psychology, sociology, and anthropology to explain how prejudices form and persist. Allport identified several factors contributing to prejudice, including social categorization, stereotyping, and in-group/out-group dynamics. He also discussed the role of social institutions and cultural norms in perpetuating prejudice.
Allport's work on prejudice was influential in the development of social psychology and remains a foundational text in the study of intergroup relations. His emphasis on understanding the individual and societal factors that contribute to prejudice has informed numerous interventions aimed at reducing discrimination and promoting social harmony.
Functional Autonomy
Another significant contribution by Allport was the concept of functional autonomy, which refers to the idea that motives in adulthood can become independent of their origins in childhood. According to Allport, behaviors that were once driven by basic needs or external rewards can evolve into self-sustaining activities pursued for their intrinsic value. This concept challenged the prevailing Freudian view that adult behavior is primarily rooted in childhood experiences.
Functional autonomy has implications for understanding human motivation and personality development. It suggests that individuals have the capacity for growth and change, as they can develop new motives and goals that are not tied to their past.
Influence and Legacy
Gordon Allport's work has had a lasting impact on the field of psychology. His emphasis on the uniqueness of the individual and the complexity of human behavior challenged the reductionist approaches that dominated psychology in the early 20th century. Allport's ideas have influenced various areas of psychology, including personality, social, and developmental psychology.
Allport was also a mentor to many students who went on to become influential psychologists in their own right. His dedication to teaching and research earned him numerous accolades, including the Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in Psychological Science from the American Psychological Association in 1963.
Personal Life and Death
Gordon Allport married Ada Lufkin Gould in 1925, and the couple had one son, Robert. Allport was known for his modesty and dedication to his family and students. He was an avid traveler and enjoyed exploring different cultures, which informed his understanding of human behavior and social dynamics.
Allport passed away on October 9, 1967, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His contributions to psychology continue to be celebrated, and his work remains relevant to contemporary discussions on personality and social issues.