Introduction to Personality



Introduction to Personality

Personality

Personality, in intelligible words, can be defined as a set of dynamic and well organized characteristics of an individual. These are unique characteristics that a person possesses which exclusively influences the emotions, cognitions and behavior of person under varying circumstances (Lazarus. R, 1971).

Another definition of personality proposed by (Allport. G, 1937), stated that personality could also be referred to as the patterns of thinking, along with the feelings and behaviors of an individual over time. All these attributes influence the self-perceptions, expectations, along with the attitude of an individual which helps to predict the reaction of people under difficult situations.

Theoretical approaches in the study of personality

Trait theories

The (American Psychiatric Association, 2008) defined personality traits as a set of enduring patterns of perceiving different situations related to the process of thinking of an individual regarding the environment, then taking decision according to the environment explores the social and personal aspects of a person's personality. According to some assumptions, traits remain stable over time; different individuals have novel traits play an important role in influencing the behavior of an individual.

Type theories

It refers to the classification of psychological behavior of an individual. There are certain features that distinguish type theory from the trait theory. According to type theories there are only two types of people one is introvert (shy and nervous), and the other is extrovert (friendly and outgoing). The traits theories suggest that both extroversion and introversion both are a part of endless dimension.

Psychoanalytic theories

This theory explains the behavior of an individual in terms of interaction which involves the various components of the personality of an individual. According to (Blum. G, 1953) there are three significant components of the personality of a human. Id (it acts according to the principles of pleasure of a human being), ego (its purpose is to meet the demands & the wishes that were made by the id while keeping in special consideration the principle of reality), super-ego (its purpose is to inculcate the rules of society and moral judgment on the ego, which forces to meet the demands of the id both morally and realistically).

Humanistic theories

This theory focuses on the subjective experiences of an individual, as opposed to forcing; it is a set of definitive factors that determine the behavior of an individual. According to (Maslow, 1970), humanistic theories can be divided in to four dimensions.

Awareness

It is the ability of an individual to maintain the constant awe of life.

Reality and problem centered

It is the tendency of a person to create awareness, or be concerned about the problems taking place around their surroundings.

Acceptance

It is the acceptance of a person of the reality of the surroundings around him, along with the expectance of the realities concerning the factors which can and cannot be changed.

Unhostile sense of humor

The individuals under this category, do not like to crack a joke or make fun of others, they view it as a belligerent act. These types of individuals are friendly and outgoing they do not believe on ...