98 I. THEORETICAL  PERSPECTI vES AND  CONCEPT uAL uNITS
shapers of personality through their joint 
contributions to the formation of BEATs.
Conclusion
In this chapter, I have suggested how per -
sonality develops as infants, starting with 
a set of basic needs, pursue need-  fulfilling 
goals and form mental representations of 
their experiences. These mental representa -
tions (BEATs), in the context of needs, then 
guide future goal pursuit to foster the recur -
rent, characteristic patterns of actions and 
experiences that we call traits. Thus, I have 
proposed a theory that outlines how the 
more visible parts of personality (the pattern 
of acts and experiences, or traits) are under -
pinned by the less visible parts (including 
the BEATs in the context of needs). In the 
process, I have put a spotlight on potential 
routes for personal change.
The distinguished motivation and person -
ality psychologist David McClelland (1951) 
proposed that a theory of personality re -
quires three key elements: dynamic motives 
or needs, cognitive schemas, and stylistic 
traits. The current theory encompasses all 
three in the form of needs, BEATs, and pat -
terns of online acts and experiences. In pro -
posing this theory, I have tried to integrate 
these elements into a framework in which di -
verse theories (and fields) might find a home 
together.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This chapter is based in part on Dweck (2017). 
Please refer to this article for a more extensive 
treatment of many topics, including tempera -
ment, culture, and new perspectives on develop -
mental theory.
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