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Jesse Feist (pp. 533-34) explains Gordon Allport's concept of motivational dispositions:
"All personal dispositions are dynamic in the sense that they have motivational power. Nevertheless, some are much more strongly felt then others, and Allport called these intensely experienced PDs motivational traits. These strongly felt traits receive their motivation from basic needs and drives. Allport referred to personal dispositions that are less intensely experienced as stylistic traits, even though these traits possess some motivational power. Stylistic traits guide action, whereas motivational traits initiate action. An example of a stylistic PD might be impeccable personal appearance. People are motivated to dress because of a basic need to stay warm, but the manner in which they attire themselves is determined by their stylistic personal dispositions (Allport, 1961).
"No sharp line exists between motivational and stylistic personal dispositions, because all PDs have some motivational power. Although some traits are clearly stylistic, others are obviously based on a strongly felt need and are thus motivational. Politeness, for example, is a stylistic trait, whereas eating is more motivational. How people eat (their style) depends at least partially on how hungry they are, but it also depends on the strength of their stylistic dispositions. A usually polite but hungry person may forgo manners while eating alone, but if the politeness trait is strong enough and if others are present, then that person may eat with etiquette and courtesy, despite being famished.
"Whether motivational or stylistic, some personal dispositions are close to the core of personality, whereas others are more on the periphery. Those that are at the center of personality are experienced by the person as being an important part [534] of self. They are the ones an individual refers to in such terms as, "That is me," or "This is mine," ... (Allport, 1955)."
Feist, Jess (1994, c.1985). Theories of Personality. 3rd. ed. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace.
See example: Inventive Personality Type
Trait and Dispositional Perspectives on Personality - Personality: Theory & Perspectives - James Neill.
Aristotle on Self-Discipline
Virtue Ethics
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