He believes that "personality is the dynamic structure of the body and mind system that determines the individual's unique adaptation to its environment". He emphasized the individual characteristics of personality and established the theory of personality traits. Ahlport opposed psychoanalysis and thought that personality was not something that had been formed, but something that was being formed, and it was a dynamic organization that was constantly changing. He borrowed an ancient Greek famous saying, "Everything is changing if it is not reached" to explain his explanation of personality uncertainty.
Ahlport's research scope is very extensive. He devoted a lot of energy to studying the mental health characteristics of "mature people" and strongly opposed Freud's psychoanalysis and behaviorism's "incomplete psychology". It is because of this research that Ahlport is included in the camp of humanism.
The study of values is an important work in the application of personality trait theory. Ahlport believes that a person's efforts, hopes and the meaning of life all stem from his own values. He developed the original intention of Planch's "human type" (1922), and did not regard human as a certain kind of person among the six values, but thought that everyone had six basic variable value directions, which were constructed in different degrees in the consistency of life.
The performance of the six value directions is as follows:
1 theoretical model
People with this value orientation are mainly interested in discovering the truth. Through observation, analysis and reasoning, they devote themselves to exploring the connections and differences between things. This kind of person is studious, curious and self-controlled. The main purpose of activities and life is to systematize and organize your knowledge. They neglected other aspects of life.
2 Economical and practical
People with this value orientation tend to be realistic-practical things, and are pragmatic people. Pay attention to the effective facts in all walks of life. They think that all work should be based on actual needs, or they should give up. They attach importance to financial resources, material resources, manpower and efficiency.
3 types of art
People with this kind of value orientation attach importance to the beauty of image and the harmony of mind, and are good at examining beautiful scenery and appreciating various tastes. They think that the value of beauty is higher than other things, and everything is measured by the standards of beauty, symmetry, neatness and propriety, so they comment on everything from an artistic point of view.
4 social types
People with this value orientation regard caring for others as their noble duty. Their greatest pleasure in joining the society and interacting with people is to provide services. They are easy-going, kind, unselfish, generous and willing to contribute to others.
5 political types
People with this value orientation are very interested in rights, and real power becomes the basic driving force. They have the desire and talent to lead and dominate others. It is characterized by self-affirmation, vitality and self-confidence. Be strict with yourself, stress principles and keep order; But also conceited, look down on others, selfish and bossy.
6 religious types
People with this value orientation attach importance to fate and supernatural power, and their spiritual structure lies in creating the highest satisfying value experience. Most of them have firm beliefs (religion or other similar experiences) and prefer to retire from real life. Their remarkable attitude is to understand everything in the universe, voluntarily overcome all low-level impulses, be willing to deny themselves, and meditate on all kinds of experiences that they think are noble.
No one can absolutely belong to a category, but different people have different degrees and different value combination characteristics in their lives. This is different from the original intention of Plenge (originally referring to six abstract ideal forms)