Session 55 Comparative Analysis Western vs Indian Personality Models.ppt

Comparative Analysis

1. Ms. Muskan Sethi
Introduction to Personality
Assistant Professor
School of Liberal Arts
 (SOLA)
K. R. Mangalam University
Unit IV
Models of Personality
​
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2. Session 55
Comparative Analysis: Western vs Indian Personality Models
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3. Personality Models
Definition of Personality – stable patterns of
thoughts, emotions, and behavior.
Purpose of Personality Models:
To explain individual differences.
To understand human motivation and behavior.
To aid psychological assessment and
intervention.
Cultural context shapes personality concepts and
theories.

4. Historical Roots of Personality Models
•Western Perspective: Origin in
philosophy (e.g., Plato, Aristotle),
modern development in psychology.
•Indian Perspective: Rooted in
spiritual and philosophical texts like the
Upanishads, Vedas, and Ayurveda.
•Western = individual-centric; Indian =
holistic and self-transcendence oriented.

5. Major Western Personality Models
•Psychoanalytic Theory (Sigmund Freud, Carl
Gustav Jung)
•Humanistic Theory (Carl Rogers, Abraham
Maslow)
•Trait Theories (Gordon Allport, Raymond
Cattell, Hans Eysenck)
•Five Factor Model (Big Five)
•Behaviorist and Cognitive perspectives (brief
mention)

6. Western Models – Core Assumptions
•Personality is measurable and structured.
•Emphasis on individual differences.
•Focus on empirical validation.
•Tends to separate mind, body, and spirit.
•Emphasis on self-actualization, traits, or
unconscious drives.

7. Major Indian Personality Models
•Tri-Guna Theory (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas)
•Pancha Kosha Model (Five layers of the
self)
•Puru
ṣārtha Framework
(Dharma, Artha,
Kama, Moksha)
•Upanishadic Model of Personality (Self
as core essence)
•Ayurvedic Concepts (Tridosha – Vata,
Pitta, Kapha — linked with temperament)

8. Indian Models – Core Assumptions
•Personality is integrated—mind, body,
and spirit are interconnected.
•Goal of personality development = self-
realization / liberation (Moksha).
•Emphasis on balance of forces (Gunas or
Doshas).
•Less emphasis on pathology, more on
holistic well-being.
•Introspective and philosophical rather
than purely empirical.

9. Western vs Indian Models
Aspect Western Models Indian Models
Focus
Individual traits, structure,
behavior
Self, consciousness, spiritual
integration
Approach Empirical, analytical Philosophical, holistic, spiritual
Core Goal
Understanding personality
differences
Self-realization, inner harmony
Mind-Body Relation Often separate Integrated
Developmental Focus
Self-actualization, trait
development
Self-transcendence, spiritual
growth
Assessment Tests, questionnaires
Self-observation, meditation,
reflection