Personality and personality development
Personality is the uniqueness of an individual as compared to other people. An individuals personality entails their mental characteristics specifically a persons pattern of thought as well as the emotional characteristics that determine a persons behavior (ONeil, 2006). An individuals personality is expressed by their outward physical appearance as regards their mode of dressing, and habits among other characteristics and their inward characteristics which is mainly the emotional part and thought pattern. Every individual has their own unique personality and there are no two people who have the same personality (Pervin John, 1999). While the outward characteristics of an individual can be seen directly, the inward characteristics of an individuals personality are described depending on how an individual responds. A persons temperament as well as their emotional tone can be used to define an individuals personality.
Despite the fact the every individual has a different personality, there are some common characteristics in our personality which are determined by the fact that people live in the same culture. This is where the concept of ethnocentrism is evident from being a product of a particular culture means that all individuals from this culture bear common characteristics of the culture (Boeree, 2006).
An individuals personality can be viewed as being consistent such that it is possible to predict the way a person will behave even if it is in different situations. It is also recognized that personality is subject to development in that just as an individual grows from simple to complex, so does the personality. This growth is shaped by both hereditary and environmental components. An individuals personality also has the potential to change such that the personality can be reorganized and even change in some circumstances. Human personality is however taken to be well organized and in cases where it is not, then that is considered as a psychopathology (eGyanKosh, 2010).
Theoretical approaches in studying personality
Personality is theorized such that it can be approached from a structural approach or from a psychodynamic approach. As far as the biophysical approach is concerned, one looks at either the biophysical or the biosocial aspect of personality. The biophysical aspect of personality looks into how the biological characteristics and the constituents of an individual affect their personality. For instance, it is possible to describe people as either plump or slender or either short or tall (Lupu, 2006).
From a biosocial perspective, theories of personality focus on the role of the socioculturtal interactions with an individuals biology in determining their personality. As such, individuals may become either introverts or extroverts with each of these personalities ranging from a stable state to an unstable state (Heinstrm, 2000). For instance, an individuals stable personality can be defined as relaxed on the stable end and tense or frustrated on the unstable end.
The psychodynamic approach can be psychoanalytic whereby an individuals personality is determined by looking at the childhood experiences and upbringing. The psychoanalytic approach also takes into consideration a persons id and the superego. In a psychosocial approach, it is taken that a person is likely to be lacking in one aspect of their life but this is complemented by being strong in another aspect. Personality can also be understood by regarding a persons developmental stage such that every developmental stage will be characterized by certain crises which will determine personality. Psychodynamic approach also takes a social learning approach whereby an individual learns how to respond to personal and environmental stimuli which infers their personality (Magnavita, 2007). A personological approach is also taken in studying personality whereby forces from within the person are taken to model personality. Finally, a spiritual approach to personality is whereby one is taken to have their unique personality which is only discovered under divinely (eGyanKosh, 2010).
Factors affecting personality development
The interaction between an individuals biology and the environment shapes a persons personality greatly. The biological factor in development of a personality is analyzed according to the developmental stage of the individual. As such, a persons personality will be shaped by their fetal life, early childhood, adolescence, youth, adult life and senescence (Angelfire, 2010). From a biological viewpoint, it is argued that a persons biology is the greatest determinant of the personality thereof. The environmental factors are taken to build upon a biological predisposition. The environment thus either enhances or curtails the biological development of a person.
A persons biology (genetic predisposition) shapes personality in that the biological makeup determines the behavior that a person expresses. For instance, a person who is masculine may tend to be involved in activities that require aggressiveness thus people label the individual as aggressive. The same activity may be impossible for a lean person and therefore the lean person may be labeled as timid. The biology of an individual also determines such aspects as sex, physical appearance and their general development. The biology of an individual determines their sex and hence their gender. As such, individuals will have certain characteristics associated with that gender (Boeree, 2006).
The environmental component in the development of personality is inseparable from the biological aspect. For instance, a persons environment is determined from their fetal stage where the uterine environment that the fetus is exposed to determines their embryological development. A smoking pregnant woman may for instance inflict harm to the fetus and the disabilities affect the childs personality upon birth or later in the life of the child. The early childhood stage is also a determinant on the childs personality development as determined by the cultural environment in which the child is born.
The environment of a person during early childhood is the main environmental factor that shapes an individuals personality (Lupu, 2006). A person may have been brought up in a home where the parents are over-protective such that the person experiences difficulties in adjusting to different environments or tends to be withdrawn. A child who is brought up in a family where there is harmony tends to become independent and adjusts easily to different environments.
The child rearing environment is very influential on the development of personality. A child who is brought up in a family where the parents are substance abusers or where a child is sexually abused affects the childs personality significantly. Such a child for instance may become paranoid and socially withdrawn (Santrock, 2008). In essence, it is well recognized that neither hereditary nor environmental factors can act singly in shaping an individuals personality. The interaction of both is the key factor with either of the factors weighing heavily than the other in some instances.
Conclusion
It is no doubt that every person has their unique thought pattern and emotional characteristics which define their personality. The development of each personality is however the product of their hereditary characteristics and the environment. These can not shape personality singly but they have to interact with different degrees of contribution to personality. From this understanding, psychologists have been able to study personality from either a structural approach or a psychodynamic approach thus resolving the difficulty of having a single theory of personality.
Categories:
0 comments:
Post a Comment