UNIT 1

WHAT IS PERSONALITY?• The term “personality” is derived from the Latin word persona, which

means to mask.• Non scientific definition- the effect one has on others.• But this non scientific definition has two defects.1. It emphasizes on the expressiveness of the individual.2. It emphasizes only the objective aspects of personality, it does not

indicates what the real personality is.• Although the word is used in various senses, most of this popular

meaning fall under one of two headings.

1. The first usage equates the term to social skills- an individual personality is assessed by the effectiveness with which he is able to elicit positive reactions from a variety of persons under different circumstances.

2. The second usage consider the personality of the individual to inhere in the most outstanding impression which he creates others. A person may thus be said to have aggressive personality or a sensitive personality or a fearful personality.

• According to Dashiell, an individual’s personality is the “total picture of his organized behavior, especially as it can be characterized by his fellow men in a consistent way.• According to Munn, personality is the “most characteristic integration of an

individual’s structures and activities”. • It is characteristic in dual sense because-1. It is unique, thus differentiating the individual from all others2. It is fairly consistent.• There are almost 50 definitions of personality, identified by Allport in 1937.• These representative early psychological definitions stressed the manifest

aspects of personality--- what may be observed by others--- though they implied what a person is, how he thinks and feels, and what is included in his total psychological makeup will be revealed through his speech and behavior.

Traditional beliefs about personality• The belief that personality is inherited is expressed in the saying, “He’s a chip off

the old block.” If the person has some socially undesirable traits, he inherited them from his parents, so forget about trying to change them. If he is stingy and sullen, he can’t become generous and cheerful any more than he can change his eye color, his stature, or the size of his ears. The implication is that neither training nor the desire to improve will be of any avail.• The old wives’ tale is the belief that certain personality traits automatically

accompany certain physical traits. The person with red hair has a fiery temper, for example; or the person with a high forehead is a “brain.” The implication is that, since the physical traits are inherited and thus not subject to change, the personality traits that accompany them are similarly implacable to change.

• A third widely held belief is that personality changes automatically accompany body changes. Since body changes are a part of the developmental sequence over which the individual has no control, it is assumed that the individual has no control, it is assumed that the accompanying personality changes are likewise uncontrollable.

What is Personality? The overall profile or combination of characteristics that capture the unique nature of a person as that person reacts and interacts with others. Combines a set of physical and mental characteristics that reflect how a person looks, thinks, acts, and feels.Predictable relationships are expected between people’s personalities and their behaviors.

Nature of Personality Personality refers to the set of traits & behaviors that characterize an individual.

It refers to the relatively stable pattern of behavior & consistent internal state & explains an individual’s behavioral tendencies.

Personality has both internal (thoughts, values & genetic characteristics that is inferred from observable behaviors) & external (observable behaviors) elements.

Personality of an individual is relatively stable in nature.

Personality is both inherited as well as it can be shaped by the environment.

Importance of Personality Law of Behavior: “People are different”

To ensure high performing employees in an organization.

To manage workforce diversity.

Summarizing person’s behaviors & attitudes in relation to a wide range of events.

Personality consists of characteristics or traits that describe how people are likely to behave in a given situation.

Importance of Personality Personality is useful in predicting & understanding the general feelings, thoughts and behaviors of individuals at the workplace.

Contribution of various personality theories.

Personality DeterminantsDeterminants of

Personality

Heredity Environment

Situational

Nature: It advocates thatPart of personality finds itsOrigins in biology (heredity)

Nature: It advocates thatPart of personality finds itsOrigins in biology (heredity)

Heredity and environment

Heredity sets the limits on the development of personality characteristics.

Environment determines development within these limits. 

About a 50-50 heredity-environment split. Cultural values and norms play a substantial role in the

development of personality. Social factors include family life, religion, and many kinds

of formal and informal groups.

Situational factors reflect the opportunities or constraints imposed by the operational context.

Personality VS Character• The two are not synonymous, however, and cannot be used

interchangeably. Character implies a moral standard and involves a judgement of value.• When used in connection with personality, character relates to

behavior that is regulated by personal effort and will.• Conscience, an essential element of character, is a pattern of

inhibitory conditionings which controls the person’s behavior.

Personality consciousness• Consciousness is that level of mind which enables us to recall the

experiences, names, dates and situations of the past.• According to Frued, “Consciousness is that segment of the mind

which is concerned with immediate awareness.”• Personality consciousness is concerned with:1. A desire to create favorable first impression on others.2. A desire to judge the personalities of others accurately.

Test of personality consciousness orHow personality consciousness shows itself?

1. First Impression: According to Asch, “We look at a person and immediately a certain impression of his personality forms itself in our mind.”

How to form a first impression?• Following are some of the factors that contribute in making a first impression

by a person on others:1. Appearance• Facial expression• Dress • Body build• Poise, etc.2. Behavior– Qualities such as intelligence, warmth and coldness3. Attitudes– Favorable attitudes actually have an impression4. Traits--- Certain traits are viewed positively and others negatively. Traits like

sincere, honest, dependable and warm are liked by most individual while thoughtless, rude are disliked traits

First impression and Reputation

• Once an impression of an individual’s personality has been formed, the individual gains the reputation of being a certain type. He is then judged in the terms of this reputation.

Judging others accurately• The second way in which personality consciousness shows itself is the

desire to judge others accurately.Obstacles in Judging others:1. Real vs manifest personality2. Cultural stereotypesHow stereotypes are acquired: learned at home, school and in society.

Radio, television, movies, books, etc.

Development of personality• Freudian Stages- given by Sigmund Freud• Psychoanalytic theory of personality which is based on notion that

man is motivated more by unseen forces than by conscious and rational thought.

1. The Id2. The Ego3. The Super Ego

• Erikson stages1. Infancy2. Early childhood3. Play age4. School age5. Adolescence6. Early adulthood7. Adulthood8. Mature adulthood

The personality pattern• It is composed of traits, or specific qualities of behavior, which

characterize the individual’s unique adjustment to life as shown in his behavior and thoughts.• The traits, however, are not merely added one to another.• Rather, they are organized and integrated into a meaningful pattern.• The “core” or centre of gravity of the personality pattern is the

individual’s concept of himself as a person as related to the world in which he lives.• The quality of his behavior is expressed in the way in which he adjusts

himself to the things in the environment.

Development of Personality Pattern• There are three major factors that determine the development of the

personality pattern:1. The individual’s hereditary endowment.2. Early experiences within the family.3. Important events outside the home environment.• Thus, the personality pattern is not the product of learning

exclusively or hereditary exclusively.

ROLE OF HEREDITY•The personality pattern is determined by physical and mental characteristics which constitute the individual’s hereditary endowment. Although social and environmental factors also affect the pattern of personality. But the principle raw material of personality– physique, intelligence and temperament– are the result of heredity.

ROLE OF LEARNING•Learning under the guidance of another plays an important role in the development of personality pattern.•Social pressure within and outside the home determine that traits will be incorporated into the pattern.

Importance of role of learning• It tells us that control can be exercised to ensure that the individual will develop the kind of personality pattern that will lead to good personal and social adjustments.• It tells us that unhealthy self concepts and socially unacceptable patterns of adjustments can be changed and modified.

Elements of Personality Pattern• Two elements:1. Concept of self2. Personality traits

Concept of self• It refers to attitude towards “self.”• It comprises of those perceptions, beliefs, feelings, attitudes and

values which the individual views as part or characteristic of himself.• Components of self concept:1. The perceptual component2. The conceptual component– psychological self-concept3. The attitudinal component

Kinds of self concept• The basic self concept• The transitory self concept• The social self concept• The ideal self concept

Personality Traits Enduring characteristics that describe an individual’s behavior.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

The Big Five Model

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

Personality Types• Extroverted vs. Introverted (E or I)• Sensing vs. Intuitive (S or N)• Thinking vs. Feeling (T or F)• Judging vs. Perceiving (P or J)

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

A personality test that taps four characteristics and classifies people into 1 of 16 personality types.

Extroverted vs. Introverted

Extroverted individuals are outgoing, sociable, and assertive. Introverts are quiet and shy.

Sensitive vs. Intuitive

Sensing types are practical and prefer routine and order. They focus on details. Intuitive rely on unconscious processes and look at the “big picture”.

Thinking vs. Feeling

Thinking types uses reason and logic to handle problems. Feelings types rely on their personal values and emotions.

Judging vs. Perceiving

Judging types want control, and prefer their world to be ordered and structured. Perceiving types are flexible and spontaneous.

Myers-Briggs Sixteen Primary Traits

The Big Five Model

4–34

Personality Structure (The “Big Five” Traits)

Dimension Characteristics of a personScoring +vely on the dimension

Extroversion Outgoing, Talkative, Sociable,Assertive

Agreeableness Trusting, good natured,Cooperative, softhearted

Dependable, responsible,Achievement-orientedConscientiousness

Emotional Stability Relaxed, Secure, Unworried

Sensitive, Intellectual,Imaginative, Broadminded

Openness toExperience

Other Personality Traits• There are certain other personality traits which are relevant for

organizations.1. Self Concept and Self Esteem: Self concept is the way the individuals

define themselves as to who they are and derive their sense of identity.

Self esteem denotes the extent to which they consistently regard themselves as capable, successful, important, and worthy individuals.

2. Machiavellianism: It refers to manipulation of others as a primary way of achieving one’s goals. Mach scale measures the extent to which an individual tends to be Machiavellianism. People with high score on Mach scale, tend to be cool, logical in assessing the system around them, willing to twist and turn facts to influence others, and try to gain control of people, events, and situations by manipulating the system to their advantage.

3. Locus of control: It means whether people believe that they are in control of events, or events control them. Internal and external.

4. Tolerance for ambiguity: Based on personality characteristics, some people can tolerate high level of ambiguity without experiencing undue stress and still function effectively while people who have a low tolerance may be effective in structured work setting but impossible to operate effectively when things are rapidly changing and much information about the future turn of events is not available.

5. Type A and B: Personality has been grouped into two categories denoted by alphabets A and B. Type A people always feel a sense of time urgency, are highly achievement oriented, exhibit a competitive drive, and are impatient when their work is slowed down for any reason. On the other hand, type B people are easy going, do not have urgency for time, and do not experience the competitive drive.

6. Work ethic orientation: People may have different work ethic orientation. The extremely weo people get greatly involved in the job and live up to being described as living, eating and breathing the job. On the other hand, people with low weo try to do the minimum that is necessary to get without being fired on the job.

7. Risk taking: Risk propensity is the degree to which a person is willing to take chances and make risky decisions.

Personality Syndromes• These days, a medical term “syndromes” is commonly used to refer to

personality patterns that show basic similarities. When applied to personality, it describes a specific type of personality which is similar to the personality pattern of others who have had to some extent similar problems and have used similar methods of solving their problem.• Types of personality syndrome: Cartel has described two types of

personality syndrome:1. Abnormal syndromes2. Normal syndromes

Abnormal syndromes• There are three elements of abnormal syndromes identified:i. Psychopathic Personality: It includes traits such as:1. Unreliability2. Deceitfulness3. Extreme emotionless4. Inability to show anger, love and other common responsesii. Delinquet Personality: It includes:1. Weak conscience2. Dissatisfaction3. Anxiety4. Tension5. Emotional immaturity6. hypersensitivity

iii. Manic Syndrome: The central feature of this is an effective stage of eagerness and joyous excitement. The association of ideas is rapid and uncontrolled.

Normal syndromes• Two types:1. The personality of the overprotected only child incudes:i. Selfishnessii. Lack of cooperationiii. Self centerediv. Dependency2. The personality syndrome of the only child having home environment includes:i. Independenceii. Cooperativenessiii. Responsibility

Creative personality syndromes• They include:1. Need for autonomy and independence2. Flexibility3. Non conformity4. Playfulness5. Forcefulness6. Aggressiveness

Symbols for self• Judgments of a person are greatly affected by certain “symbols of

self”. It is through symbols of self that a person tries to reveal to others, what he wants to tell them, which he does not want to reveal directly. If the symbols of self are to serve effectively, they must be visible. • Role of symbols of self:1. They influence one’s judgment of others.2. They influence one’s concept of self.

Common symbols of self• Clothing• Names and nicknames• Speech age• Success• Reputation• age

Clothing • According to Jersild, “ Clothing can symbolize many things which are

important to be person which he wants others to know.”• Qualities symbolized by clothing:1. Desire for attention2. Autonomy3. Identification4. Success5. Individuality

Effect of clothing on personality1. Effect of being well dressed: Studies reveal that people who are

judged by others as being among the “best dressed” of their group feel considerably better about themselves, than those who are judged as less well dressed.

2. Effect of being poorly dressed: Being poorly or inappropriately dressed can make a person feel uncomfortable. His uneasiness and lack of confidence adversely affect the judgments of others as well as his social acceptance.

Names and Nicknames• Names are used as symbols to identify people. • It was Frued, who first stressed that names are symbols of self

because they are representations of the personality pattern of the bearer.• A person’s name is his only symbol of self which is permanent.

Qualities symbolized by names• Identification• Glamour• Individuality• popularity

Why names affect personality• Because the bearer realizes that his name is a symbol of others of

what he is.• The name used in addressing a person tells him as well as others how

the speaker feels about him.• Names calling gives the person a clue to how others judge him and

feel about him.

Speech • It is regarded as symbol of self because it gives clues to the

personality of the speaker.• Speech tells others how the speaker thinks of himself and how he

feels about other people.

Kinds of speech symbols• Content of speech• Forms of speech• Quantity of speech• Quality of speech• Bilingualism

Age • The individual’s age is used as symbol of role status and a person of

given age is expected to not in accordance with the patterns prescribed for his age role.• Symbols of age:1. Appearance 2. Autonomy3. Activities

Success • Some people express their success symbolically so that others may

judge them favorably. • Symbols of success:1. Popularity2. Leadership3. Athletic achievement4. Kind of occupation5. Money6. Club membership

Reputation• It is a symbol of self which others use to judge the individual. Their

judgments, in turn, affect his self concept. His reputed character may or may not be the same as his real character.• How to acquire reputation?1. First Impression2. Appearance and behavior3. Social stereotypes: They influence judgments and thus help to

shape reputations.

MOULDING THE PERSONALITY PATTERN• In spite of the commonly accepted belief that personality development

begins at birth. There is evidence that environment have a significant influence on he development of personality– the capacities for adjustments– in the form of hereditary potentials.• How hereditary potentials develop before and after birth is determined

largely by the environment. This development influences the personality pattern.• Two factors influence personality pattern:1. Hereditary potentials2. Environmental influences

HEREDITARY POTENTIALS• Studies of prenatal development reveal that the foundations of the

capacities for adjustment are laid at the moment of conception.• The prenatal period of 9 months is rightly regarded as a critical period

in personality development.• Neither personality patterns nor the specific personality traits are

directly controlled by the genes.• But, indirectly, the genes affect personality affecting the quality of

nervous system, and the structure of the body.

• The principle raw materials of personality– physique, intelligence and temperament– are the foundations of personality which are genetically determined through inheritance.• Physical capacities– energy, strength and attractiveness are also

limited by inherent characteristics.• No two people have identical personality pattern– hereditary

endowment determined at the time of conception.

Environmental influences• The development of hereditary potentials is largely dependent on the

significant people in the individual’s environment.• These people provide the physical and social environment to

develop.• They also determine what opportunities the individual will have for

learning.• The significant people will provide him pattern to follow.

How environment molds personality?1. It encourages maturation of hereditary potentials—• Maturation before birth• Maturation after birth2. Model of personality pattern3. learning

Sources of molding• The family• The school• Media• Religion• Occupation

Molding techniques• Two techniques of learning are dominant in molding the personality

pattern:1. Learning through guidance and control of behavior by another.2. Learning through imitation of beliefs, attitudes and behavioral

patterns of another. • The first is outer directed method of learning and is commonly

known as “child training”• The second is self initiated or inner- directed and is known as

“identification”

Child training1. Authoritarian methods– these are characterized by use of strict

rules and regulations to get the desired behavior.2. Democratic method– this method emphasizes the need for

discussions, explanation, and reasoning to help the young understand why they are expected to behave in one way.

3. Permissive method– this is not a child training method but parents and teachers may regard this as such. The young persona leans more by trial and error than by guidance.. If he thinks that act brings social disapproval, he will reject it in favor of another.

• Effect of child training on personality:

Identification• Learning by imitation. More correctly defined, identification is the

process by which a person takes over the values of another by imitation.• Sources of identification:1. Home2. School3. Peer group• Effect of identification on their personality