Personality

This presentation describes basic features of Personality and its various theories

1. Personality

2. Concepts The word personality comes from the Latin root persona, meaning "mask." According to this root, personality is the impression we make on others; the mask we present to the world. Personality is defined as "a unique set of traits and characteristics, relatively stable over time .“ The definition further suggests that personality does not change from day to day. Over the short-term, our personalities are relatively set or stable. However, definition does not suggest that personality is somehow rigid, unchangeable, and cast in concrete. Definition recognizes that, over a longer term, personality may change.

3. Definitions J.B. Watson (1930) : “ Personality is the sum of activities that can be discovered by actual observations over a long enough period of time to give reliable information.” M. Prince (1929): Personality is the sum total of all biological innate dispositions, impulses, tendencies, appetites, and instincts of the individual and the dispositions and tendencies acquired by experience.”

4. After analyzing 49 definitions by eminent persons, Allport (1948) defined “Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustment to his environment.”

5. Characteristics Personality is an internal process that guides behaviour . Gordon Allport (1961) makes the point that personality is psychophysical, which means both physical and psychological . Biological and genetic phenomena do have an impact on personality. Child (1968) makes the point that personality is stable – or at least relatively stable. Child (1968) includes consistency (within an individual) and difference (between individuals) in his definition, Allport (1961) refers to characteristic patterns of behavior within an individual.

6. Nature of Personality It is relatively stable but dynamic in nature . Helps in adjusting the individual with the environment It is consistent . It is unique

7. Determinants of Personality Clssification of determinants of personality Personal factors such as physique, sex, nervous system Environmental factors such as home and family, school, society etc. Another classification Biological factors Psychological Social and cultural

8. Biological determinants Hereditary influences Nervous system Body chemistry

9. Psychological determinants Intelligence and mental functioning Level of aspiration and achievement motivation Will power

10. Social and cultural determinants Home and family Parents Parental attitude School environment Cultural environments

11. Theories of Personality Type Theory Jung theory, Eysenck theory Trait Theory Allport theory, Cattell 16 PF theory Type cum Trait approach Big Five Theory

12. Jung Theory Extraversion - *Extraversion* is the tendency to look to the outside world, especially people, for one's pleasures. Extraverts are usually outgoing and they enjoy social activities, but they are uncomfortable when they are alone. Introversion - *Introversion* refers to a tendency to prefer the world inside oneself. The more obvious aspects of introversion are shyness, a distaste for social functions, and a love of privacy.

13. Trait theory Allport Theory Cattell 16 PF theory

14. Allport theory He identified 17953 terms to define personality. After careful analysis he found 4541 term to define an individual

15. Allport Trait theory Personality: A Psychological Interpretation (1937) Allport defined Trait as “ a generalized and focalized neuropsychsic system with the capacity to render many stimuli functionally equivalent, and to initiate and guide consistent forms of adoptive and expressive behavior ( Allport , 1937).

16. Classification of traits ( Allport ) Cardinal traits : the traits ruling the personality of the individual e.g sense of humour Central traits : easily detected traits that all people have a certain number. E.g. shyness, timidity, honesty Secondary traits : Less important, style of walking, etc

17. Cattell 16 PF 171 basic traits Common traits it is found widely distributed in general population . E.g Honesty, cooperation Unique traits : these traits are possessed by particular persons e.g emotional stability Surface Traits : easily recognized e.g Curisioty , Source traits : it determines the behavior

18. Super traits ( Type –cum-trait) Traits are combined to form super traits Examples : Introversion ( Eysencks ) Persistance Rigidity Subjectivity Shyness etc.

19. Extraversion Talkative Friendly etc Neuroticism Tense Unrest etc

20. Big five approach Extraversion Agreeableness Conscientiousness Neuroticism Openness