Analysis Of Veronica Roth s The Big Five Model

Throughout the history of human psychology, the development of personality and the factors that contribute to its variations have been widely scrutinised and theorized. According to some of psychologies most acclaimed and experienced psychologists, personality can be stagnant, morphed, molded, developed and uncovered through a range of processes we experience before we are born, after birth and during our lifetime. (Eyesenck, 2004) Veronica Roth’s Divergent exhibits aspects of both Gordon Allports Trait Theory and McCrae and Costa’s Five Factor Model, also known as the Big Five Model. (Eyesenck, 2004) These theories are applicable to the Divergent film in the features of its pot line and within characterization. There accuracies as†¦show more content†¦(Allport, 1937) cardinal traits were constant and consistent through life; they had overwhelming influence on a person’s total being. Central traits guided aspects of behavior, reactions and social interac tion, and finally, secondary traits were more unsettled aspects of the personality and affected casual opinions and habitual behaviors. (Wade Tavris, 2000) Finalizing his theory, Allport stated that while we all share common traits, and we all live in this â€Å"world† together, (Allport, 1961) people still differ, as for â€Å"some the world is a hostile place†¦ for others it is a sage for fun and frolic†. (Wade et al., 2000) Allport suggests that cardinal, secondary and central traits become apparent in people at different rates within the growth cycle. (Schopper, 1994) This element of Allports theory is directly applicable to the initial portrayal of Divergent’s protagonist, Beatrice Prior. Beatrice assumes the mannerisms of her faction Abnegation and emulates the required habitual behaviors, reactions and interactions. She dresses in grey clothing, she habitually washes up after her parents, and she routinely deems it unnecessary to look in the mirror. These are all examples of secondary traits that affect casual opinion and habits. (Wade et al., 2000) After her move to Dauntless, these mannerisms and aspects of her personality change, further supporting Allports theory that secondary traits are unsettled and ever changing. She now wears black, promiscuous clothing, she