Personality

Understanding personality , Different

theories, Personality Determinants, traits &
characteristics, assessing various personality
dimensions

Activity
Your personality is an outcome of many

forces. Discuss it with your friend and draw

a pie chart reflecting these forces.

Personality
Personality is the sum total of the ways in

which an individual reacts to and interacts

with others.
It refers to the distinctiveness or
uniqueness of the persons behaviour.
Personality is the dynamic organization within
the individual of those psychophysical
systems that determine a persons unique
adjustments to his environment.
Gordon W Allport

Characteristics of Personality
Consistency
Psychological and physiological aspects
Impacts behaviours and actions
Multiple expressions -Personality is displayed

in more than just behavior. It can also be seen

in our thoughts, feelings, close relationships
and other social interactions.

Personality Theories
Biological theories
Behavioural theories
Psychodynamic theories
Humanist theories

Psychodynamic theories

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)

Eric Berne ((1910-1970)
Erik Erikson's (1902-94)
Carl Jung (1875 1961)

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)

Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality
Personality consists of three structure
Id
Absolutely unconscious, nothing to do with reality,

demands immediate gratification irrespective of the

environment.

EgoActively concerned with the reality principle. It

intends to realistically meet the demands of the id in

accordance with the outside world. It is sensitive.
Having the strong ego has the positive advantage of
reacting positively to criticisms and problems.

Superego- the moral branch of personality,

which goes beyond being the realistic. Reflects
the value and judgment.
The id creates
the demands,
the ego adds the
needs of reality
with the
superego adds
morality to the
action which is
taken.

Eric Berne(1961)
The structure of personality is divided into three Ego

States
Ego states are consistent patterns of feelings and attitudes
which are directly related with consistent patterns of
behaviour.
Parent Ego states
Nurturing
Controlling
Adult Ego States
Child Ego states
Natural Child (curious & fun loving)
Rebellious child (revolting against authority)
Adapted child (ego state under the influence of the
parents)

Erik Erikson's (1902-94)

Stages of
PsychosocialDevelopment
Erikson's theory describes the impact of social

experience across the whole lifespan. He believed

that personality develops in a series of stages.
Each steps builds on skills learned in previous steps
Stage 1- Trust Vs. Mistrust (0-1)
Stage 2 - Autonomy Vs Shame & Doubt (2-3)
Stage 3 - Initiative Vs. Guilt (3-5)
Stage 4 industry Vs. Inferiority (5-11)
Stage 5 Identity Vs. Confusion ( adolescence)
Stage 6 - Intimacy Vs. Isolation (early
adulthood)
Stage 7 - Generativity Vs Stagnation
(adulthood)
Stage 8 Integrity Vs. Despair(old age)

Personality theory of Carl Jung (1875

1961)

He created eight distinct personality types. These

orientations are the pairing of two attitudes:

introversion and extroversion, and four functions.

Jungs Four Functions of Personality

Feeling

is the method by which a person understands the value of

conscious activity.

Thinking allows a person to understand the meanings of things. This

process relies on logic and careful mental activity.

Sensation refers to the means by which a person knows something

exists

Intuition is knowing about something without conscious

understanding of where that knowledge comes from.

eight distinct personality types

Extroverted Thinking
Introverted Thinking
Extroverted Feeling
Introverted Feeling
Extroverted Sensing
Introverted Sensing
Extroverted Intuitive
Introverted Intuitive

Personality Determinants
Hereditary endowment- Physical stature, facial
attractiveness, gender, temperament , energy level ,
intelligence etc are generally considered either completely
or substantially by who your parents are.

Environmental influences
Before birth
After birth
Moulding the childs personality pattern

( parents, family ,culture, education, friends,

teachers )
Identify the factors that have a stronger impacts
on your personality.

Diary Note
Answer the following Questions
Do you look like your parents/ grand parents ?
What way you resemble with them?
Do you share some traits of your parents

( positive/negative) ? Name a few.

To what extent you have been influenced by
your parents/teachers/friends/siblings etc.
Are you happy about it?