Understanding Human Nature and Behaviour

Presented by Muhammad Iqbal Malik

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Todays Objectives
To develop an understanding about human nature and its influence on behaviour Becoming more self-aware and have a deeper understanding about others

To develop an appreciation for diversity

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

We will cover:
What is personality? What makes us what we are? What are the key elements of personality? Are there generic types or classes? Is this personality good or bad? Is diversity a curse or a blessing? Application of what we have learnt

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Why Bother?

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Know thyself The unexamined life is not worth living!

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

 Self-awareness
People are the most important organizational resource

Improving predictability and selfconfidence

Building relationships Effective utilization of human resources Avoiding or managing conflicts

Improving the quality of life and work environment

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Reflection
Have you ever faced a person whom you failed to understand? Have you ever been misunderstood (as a person)?

Have you ever been frustrated by people who looked, behaved, thought or felt very different than you? Have you ever looked down on someone who behaved, thought or felt differently?
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

What is Personality?

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Personality
Every man is in certain respects like all other men, like some other men, like no other man
Kluckhohn & Murray

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Personality
Personality describes the character of emotion, thought, and behavior patterns unique to a person It is a particular pattern of behaviour and thinking prevailing across time and situations that differentiates one person from another Personality is the sum total of ways in which an individual react and interacts with others
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Personality
Personality is that which permits a prediction of what a person will do in a given situation It explains how each individual is unique

Personality is one of the key determinants of human behaviour but there are also other factors of behaviour e.g. situation, attitude, cognition, motivation, belief etc.

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

What makes us what we are? How do we become us?

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

The Development of Personality

Nature vs. Nurture Heredity and biology - genes, nervous Environment and life experiences
system, endocrine system and other systems

Identical twins share the same template but have different states
Twins raised in different families have often demonstrated similar tastes, choosing the same profession and even using the same brands of products
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

The Development of Personality

Some traits may be more strongly linked to heredity than others The initial few years are critical in the formation of personality

Plaster vs. Plasticity hypothesis

Set like plaster Changes throughout adulthood

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Views on Personality
Trait Theories personality is a set of mental
structures/systems, different for each individual, resulting in characteristic responses to situations behaviour lives are not scripted personalities are defined by their own different perceptions and experiences

Humanist Theories difficult to predict

Behavioural Theories Personality is the

constantly changing set of learned behaviour, influenced by reinforcements

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Interactionism
Human behaviour is influenced by: Personality traits The situation The interaction between personality and situation How one perceives or defines a situation is a critical factor of behaviour

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

CASE
Doctors report that the child would never be able to play any physically exerting sport the child grows to be the fittest athlete in the world How did the parents define the situation? How did the child define the situation? How did it influence their behaviour?

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Other Attributes
Locus of Control (internal/external)
The degree to which people believe they are in control of their own fate from the individual's positive or negative beliefs about being valuable and capable including one's traits, feelings, behaviours and limitations chances or risks
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Self-Esteem - Feelings of self-worth stemming

Self-awareness - being aware of oneself,

Risk Taking - a persons willingness to take

Personality Models

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Is this Personality Good or Bad?

Before we examine various types of personalities we should remember:
There is no right, wrong, good or bad type Each type has strengths and weaknesses A personality may however be more suitable for a given role or situation Personality traits may shift over time Behaviour/performance is not dependent on personality alone
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Personality Models
The Big Five Cattells 16 Primary Factors Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

The Big Five

Neuroticism Anxiety Angry hostility Depression Self-consciousness Impulsiveness Vulnerability Extraversion Warmth & Sociability Assertiveness Activity Positive emotions Talkativeness Boldness Spontaneity Adventure & Enthusiasm
Conscientiousness Competence Order Dutifulness Achievement striving Self-discipline Deliberation (reflection)
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Openness Fantasy Aesthetics Feelings Actions Ideas Values

Agreeableness Trust Straightforwardness Altruism Compliance Modesty Tender-mindedness

Cattells 16 Primary Factors

Factor Warmth Low High Warm, outgoing, kindly, easygoing, participating, likes people Abstract-thinking, more intelligent, bright, fast learner

Reserved, impersonal, cool, detached, formal

Concrete-thinking, less intelligent

Reasoning Emotional Stability

Emotionally stable, Reactive, emotionally less adaptive, mature, faces stable, easily upset reality, calm Respectful, humble, cooperative, avoids conflict, obedient Serious, restrained, prudent, thoughtful, silent Dominant, assertive, aggressive, competitive, stubborn, bossy Lively, spontaneous, enthusiastic, cheerful, expressive, impulsive
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Dominance

Liveliness

Cattells 16 Primary Factors

Factor Low Expedient, nonconforming, disregards rules Shy, threat-sensitive, timid, hesitant, intimidated Utilitarian, objective, unsentimental, toughminded, rough Trusting, accepting, unconditional, easy Grounded, practical, solution-oriented, steady, conventional High Rule-conscious, dutiful, conscientious, moralistic, rule-bound Socially bold, venturesome, thickskinned, uninhibited Sensitive, aesthetic, sentimental, tenderminded, intuitive, refined Vigilant, suspicious, skeptical, distrustful, oppositional Abstracted, imaginative, absent-minded, absorbed in ideas, impractical,
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

RuleConsciousness
Social Boldness

Sensitivity

Vigilance

Abstractedness

Cattells 16 Primary Factors

Factor Low Straightforward, genuine, open, naive unworried, secure, complacent, free of guilt, confident Traditional, attached to familiar, conservative Group-oriented, affiliative, follower, dependent High Private, tactful, nondisclosing, shrewd, worldly, diplomatic Apprehensive, selfdoubting, worried, guiltprone, insecure, selfblaming Open to change, experimenting, liberal, analytical, flexible

Privateness

Apprehension

Openness to Change Self-Reliance

Self-reliant, solitary, individualistic, self-sufficient

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Cattells 16 Primary Factors

Factor Low Tolerates disorder, flexible, careless, impulsive Relaxed, easy going, calm, lazy, patient, low drive High Perfectionist, organized, compulsive, self-disciplined Tense, high energy, impatient, frustrated, high drive, time-driven

Perfectionism

Tension

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

4 Scales
Extraversion - Introversion Sensing Intuition Thinking Feeling

Judging - Perceiving

16 Types

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

MBTI Scales
Extraversion Outer world People/Things Active Breadth of Interest Live, then understand Interaction Outgoing Sensing Facts Data Details Reality based Actuality Here and now Utility/Purpose Introversion Inner World Thoughts/Concepts Reflective Depth of Interest Understand, then live Concentration Inwardly directed Intuition Meanings Associations Possibilities Hunches/Speculations Theoretical Future Fantasy
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

MBTI Scales
Thinking Analysis Objective Logic Impersonal Critique Reason Criteria Judging Organized Settled Planned Decisive Control own life Set goals Systematic Feeling Sympathy Subjective Humane Personal Appreciate Values Circumstances Perceiving Pending Flexible Spontaneous Tentative Let life happen Undaunted by surprise Open to change
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

MBTI 16 Personality Types

ISTJ
Serious and quiet, interested in security and peaceful living. Extremely thorough, responsible, and dependable. Welldeveloped powers of concentration. Usually interested in supporting and promoting traditions and establishments. Well-organized and hard working, they work steadily towards identified goals. They can usually accomplish any task once they have set their mind to it.

ISTP

Quiet and reserved, interested in how and why things work. Excellent skills with mechanical things. Risk-takers who they live for the moment. Usually interested in and talented at extreme sports. Uncomplicated in their desires. Loyal to their peers and to their internal value systems, but not overly concerned with respecting laws and rules if they get in the way of getting something done. Detached and analytical, they excel at finding solutions to practical problems.

ISFJ

Quiet, kind, and conscientious. Can be depended on to follow through. Usually puts the needs of others above their own needs. Stable and practical, they value security and traditions. Well-developed sense of space and function. Rich inner world of observations about people. Extremely perceptive of other's feelings. Interested in serving others.

ISFP

Quiet, serious, sensitive and kind. Do not like conflict, and not likely to do things which may generate conflict. Loyal and faithful. Extremely well-developed senses, and aesthetic appreciation for beauty. Not interested in leading or controlling others. Flexible and open-minded. Likely to be original and creative. Enjoy the present moment.
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

MBTI 16 Personality Types

INFJ
Quietly forceful, original, and sensitive. Tend to stick to things until they are done. Extremely intuitive about people, and concerned for their feelings. Welldeveloped value systems which they strictly adhere to. Well-respected for their perserverence in doing the right thing. Likely to be individualistic, rather than leading or following.

INFP

Quiet, reflective, and idealistic. Interested in serving humanity. Well-developed value system, which they strive to live in accordance with. Extremely loyal. Adaptable and laid-back unless a strongly-held value is threatened. Usually talented writers. Mentally quick, and able to see possibilities. Interested in understanding and helping people.

INTJ

Independent, original, analytical, and determined. Have an exceptional ability to turn theories into solid plans of action. Highly value knowledge, competence, and structure. Driven to derive meaning from their visions. Long-range thinkers. Have very high standards for their performance, and the performance of others. Natural leaders, but will follow if they trust existing leaders.

INTP

Logical, original, creative thinkers. Can become very excited about theories and ideas. Exceptionally capable and driven to turn theories into clear understandings. Highly value knowledge, competence and logic. Quiet and reserved, hard to get to know well. Individualistic, having no interest in leading or following others.

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

MBTI 16 Personality Types

ESTP
Friendly, adaptable, action-oriented. "Doers" who are focused on immediate results. Living in the here-and-now, they're risk-takers who live fast-paced lifestyles. Impatient with long explanations. Extremely loyal to their peers, but not usually respectful of laws and rules if they get in the way of getting things done. Great people skills.

ESTJ

Practical, traditional, and organized. Likely to be athletic. Not interested in theory or abstraction unless they see the practical application. Have clear visions of the way things should be. Loyal and hard-working. Like to be in charge. Exceptionally capable in organizing and running activities. "Good citizens" who value security and peaceful living.

ESFP

People-oriented and fun-loving, they make things more fun for others by their enjoyment. Living for the moment, they love new experiences. They dislike theory and impersonal analysis. Interested in serving others. Likely to be the center of attention in social situations. Welldeveloped common sense and practical ability.

ESFJ

Warm-hearted, popular, and conscientious. Tend to put the needs of others over their own needs. Feel strong sense of responsibility and duty. Value traditions and security. Interested in serving others. Need positive reinforcement to feel good about themselves. Well-developed sense of space and function.

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

MBTI 16 Personality Types

ENFP
Enthusiastic, idealistic, and creative. Able to do almost anything that interests them. Great people skills. Need to live life in accordance with their inner values. Excited by new ideas, but bored with details. Open-minded and flexible, with a broad range of interests and abilities.

ENFJ

Popular and sensitive, with outstanding people skills. Externally focused, with real concern for how others think and feel. Usually dislike being alone. They see everything from the human angle, and dislike impersonal analysis. Very effective at managing people issues, and leading group discussions. Interested in serving others, and probably place the needs of others over their own needs.

ENTP

Creative, resourceful, and intellectually quick. Good at a broad range of things. Enjoy debating issues, and may be into "one-up-manship". They get very excited about new ideas and projects, but may neglect the more routine aspects of life. Generally outspoken and assertive. They enjoy people and are stimulating company. Excellent ability to understand concepts and apply logic to find solutions.

ENTJ

Assertive and outspoken - they are driven to lead. Excellent ability to understand difficult organizational problems and create solid solutions. Intelligent and well-informed, they usually excel at public speaking. They value knowledge and competence, and usually have little patience with inefficiency or disorganization.

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Application
Self-management
Understand strengths, weaknesses and preferences Predict, plan and avoid failures Self-optimize, excel and adapt

Managing relationships
Understand strengths, weaknesses and preferences Predict, plan and avoid conflict and failures Adapt and support
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Application
Try to accommodate type mismatch
Remember, type mismatch is unavoidable Remember, 50% of the mismatch is caused by you Do not blame the person for something s/he hasnt done Do not forget that the perceived weakness could be a real advantage in a different situation

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Application
Diversity
Recognizing differences as natural Appreciating diversity Developing complementary work teams

Expertise and task assignment

Caution: other components of behaviour + development of others

Synergy
n1 + n2 = k x (n1 + n2) where k > 1

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Application: Other Considerations

For those traits that are not dominant
Avoid over exposure and over commitment Understand the consequences Cognition (thinking)

Self-monitoring
Positive attitude Learning and practice Changes in socio-technical environment

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Exercise: Trait Recognition

Can you visualize someone who: would panic under stress, is a frequent worrier or would be intensely tense on slightest criticism is very open to change, new idea or suggestion would do all it takes to get the job done, on time, even if it involves taking on enormous stress Enjoys parties and gatherings, is talkative even with strangers, is adventurous and is action oriented Is very considerate and sympathetic, and works hard to ensure that others feelings are not hurt
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Exercise: Undesirable Traits

Identify a trait that you perceive as a weakness, then think of a situation where it could be utilized as a strength

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Afterthoughts
Awareness and recognition is the first step towards change After self-evaluating your personality, observe other available templates and see how that may help you in adapting into a new person or adopting a different response set If no traits are absolutely bad, then recognize that differences, perspectives and conflicts are actually opportunities to broaden our thinking and prospects
2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Final Word
While dealing with people, lose your spectacle and put on their glasses try to understand first before being understood

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Thank you

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Q&A

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.

Further Reading
http://www.personalitypathways.com/MBTI_intro.html http://www.personalitypathways.com/MBTI_geyer-2.html

http://www.jungtype.com/types/infp.htm
http://changingminds.org/explanations/personality/personality.htm http://www.apa.org/releases/personality.html http://www.centacs.com/quickstart.htm What Color is Your Personality, by Carol Ritberger

2007-2008 LetsStartThinking.org. All rights reserved.