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Personality

Definition and Overview:

Imagine a tree. A person's personality is like his/her roots under the ground, hidden, but very important. Its is defined as a person's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting. In other words, one's personality describes his/her true self.

 

In some ways we are all the same. We all have the same human nature. We share a common humanity. We all have human bodies and human minds, we all have human thoughts and human feelings.

 

Yet in other ways we are all completely different and unique. No two people are truly alike. No two people can ever have the same experience of life, the same perspective, the same mind.

Even identical twins are unique in this respect: twin number 1 will always be twin number 1 and will never know what it is actually like to be twin number 2, to experience life and see the world through number 2’s eyes.

Components of Personality

So what exactly makes up a personality? As described in the definitions above, you would expect that traits and patterns of thought and emotion make up an important part. Some of the other fundamental characteristics of personality include:

  • Consistency - There is generally a recognizable order and regularity to behaviors. Essentially, people act in the same ways or similar ways in a variety of situations.

  • Psychological and physiological - Personality is a psychological construct, but research suggests that it is also influenced by biological processes and needs.

  • It impacts behaviors and actions - Personality does not just influence how we move and respond in our environment; it also causes us to act in certain ways.

  • 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.

Theories of Personality

There are a number of different theories about how personality develops. Different schools of thought in psychology influence many of these theories. Some of these major perspectives on personality include:

  • Type theories are the early perspectives on personality. These theories suggested that there are a limited number of "personality types" which are related to biological influences.

  • Trait theories viewed personality as the result of internal characteristics that are genetically based.

  • Psychodynamic theories of personality are heavily influenced by the work of Sigmund Freud, and emphasize the influence of the unconscious on personality. Psychodynamic theories include Sigmund Freud’s psychosexual stage theory and Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development.

  • Behavioral theories suggest that personality is a result of interaction between the individual and the environment. Behavioral theorists study observable and measurable behaviors, rejecting theories that take internal thoughts and feelings into account. Behavioral theorists include B. F. Skinner and John B. Watson.

  • Humanist theories emphasize the importance of free will and individual experience in the development of personality. Humanist theorists include Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.

To find out fun facts about personality, watch the video bellow

Works Cited:

 

Cherry, K. (n.d.). Personality - What It Is and Why It Matters. Retrieved April 18, 2015, from http://psychology.about.com/od/overviewofpersonality/a/persondef.htm

 

What is personality? - Personality & Spirituality. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2015, from http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/what-is-personality

 

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