Investigation of William H. Sheldon’s constitutional theory of personality. A case study of Makerere University

Abstract

Constitutional psychology, the theory put forth by Sheldon, refers to "the study of the psychological aspects of human behaviour as they are related to the morphology and physiology of the body." In the face of indifference or hostility to the possibility of important associations between structural and behavioural characteristics, the work of William H. Sheldon stands as a unique contribution on the contemporary scene. In general, it seems fair to say that African psychologists have tacitly less attention to the study of this important class of variables having to do with the physical description of the body. Now, it is adapted to the African Culture and environment; thus this forms the significant basis of this study. So, it is the purpose of this study to specifically ascertain the culture environmental applicability of Sheldon’s theory on personality traits in Africa. Two hypotheses drawn as follows were tested to measure relationships and differences between the body types and personality traits of individuals in the African culturally influenced community or environment. In this study we shall attempt to place Sheldon's work in brief historical perspective and then describe his formulations and investigations. A quantitative survey design was applied, with a validated 33 - item questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to 33 (28 University student of Makerere and 5 Lecturer by simple random sampling technique based on body types (whether endomorphic, Mesomorphic or ectomorphic). Whether physical body type an individual possesses has an influence on the behaviour or personality of that individual, as posited by Sheldon’s constitutional theory.