Why study personalities

You need to have that charisma of yours. Personality development helps you gain recognition and acceptance from the society as well as people around. An in-disciplined individual finds it difficult to survive in the long run.

Personality development teaches you to respect not only your Boss and fellow workers but also family members, friends, neighbours, relatives and so on. Never make fun of anyone at the workplace. Avoid criticizing and making fun of your fellow workers. Office is not a place where you can be rude to others just because you had a fight with your friend last night. Personality development sessions help you differentiate between your personal as well as professional life.

It is really essential to keep a balance between both the lives to lead a peaceful and stress free life. Personality development helps an individual to inculcate positive qualities like punctuality, flexible attitude, willingness to learn, friendly nature, eagerness to help others and so on.

Never hesitate to share information with others. In , for example, only 1 out of 5 Americans agreed that a married woman should earn money in industry and business. By , however, 4 out of 5 Americans approved of women working in these fields.

This type of attitude change has been accompanied by behavioral shifts that coincide with changes in trait expectations and shifts in personal identity for men and women. Influence of gender roles on personality expression : Gender roles can determine which traits are considered positive or desirable. These traits vary from culture to culture. There are three approaches that can be used to study personality in a cultural context: the cultural-comparative approach, the indigenous approach, and the combined approach, which incorporates elements of the first two approaches.

Privacy Policy. Skip to main content. Search for:. Introduction to Personality. Defining Personality Personality is the unique combination of patterns that influence behavior, thought, motivation, and emotion in a human being.

Learning Objectives Trace the history of the field of personality psychology. Key Takeaways Key Points Personality is the combination of behavior, emotion, motivation, and thought patterns that define an individual. Personality psychology attempts to study similarities and differences in these patterns among different people and groups. Modern personality psychology is heavily influenced by these early philosophical roots and attempts to identify which components—such as free will, heredity, or universality—are most influential in shaping human personality.

There are many approaches to the modern psychological study of personality, including the psychodynamic, neo-Freudian, learning, humanistic, biological, trait, and cultural perspectives. Key Terms humor : In an old usage, one of four fluids that were believed to control the health and mood of the human body. Genetics, the Brain, and Personality The biological perspective on personality emphasizes the influence of the brain and genetic factors on personality.

Learning Objectives Discuss the relationship between genetics and personality development. Key Takeaways Key Points The biological perspective on personality focuses on why or how personality traits manifest through biology and investigates the links between personality, DNA, and processes in the brain. The field of behavioral genetics focuses on the relationship between genes and behavior.

Research from twin studies suggests that some aspects of our personalities are largely controlled by genetics. The biological approach to personality has also identified areas and pathways within the brain, as well as various hormones and neurotransmitters, that are associated with the development of personality. One of the first documented cases that demonstrated the link between personality and the brain was that of Phineas Gage, who underwent a drastic personality change after a brain injury.

Influences of Culture and Gender on Personality Both culture and gender are important factors that influence the development of personality. Online Programs Online programs providing flexibility, convenience, and quality.

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Type to search. The Science of Personality Development Explore theoretical explanations for personality development, how psychologists study the topic, and why personality disorders occur. However, many theories exist. Here are just a few. Psychoanalytic Theory Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, developed psychoanalytic theory, which assumes that personality reflects the workings of the unconscious mind, according to Psychology: A Concise Introduction.

Freud believed personality was divided into three sections, each with its own distinct function: Id Responsible for basic human instincts, natural urges, and natural temperaments.

Humanistic Theory Abraham Maslow conceived humanistic theory in the s. Lesley Online Psychology Degree. Psychology Online. How to Apply. Trait Theory Largely defined by Gordon Willard Allport, trait theory claims that personality is composed of a collection of characteristics within an individual, called traits.

These characteristics help express the uniqueness of each person and can be divided into three main types: Cardinal Traits Pervasive, dominant traits that influence nearly every aspect of behavior and personality. Social Cognitive Theory Developed by Albert Bandura, social cognitive theory stresses that personalities are formed based on social contexts. It assumes two key principles, according to Williams and Cervone : The inner psychology of individuals, their environment, and their behavior all influence each other.

People are best understood in terms of three types of cognitive abilities: those that help them represent events symbolically in their minds, self-reflect, and self-develop. Counselors may often look at early life events of their clients in order to provide better care. Humanistic theory encourages counselors to approach client problems from a present-focused view. Trait theory is useful in the scientific study of personality as opposed to therapeutic services.

It allows researchers to see the connection between characteristics, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Social cognitive theory helps researchers inform their knowledge of social psychology. This allows them to study ways in which situations can cause people to display personality inconsistencies. The tests are widely used in a variety of settings. Other assessments can be used to help people learn more about different aspects of their personalities. Some tests are used as screening and evaluation tools to help diagnose personality disorders.

Gaining a better understanding of your personality can be helpful in many aspects of your life. For example, relationships with friends, family, and coworkers might improve when you become aware that you work well with others or that you need to make time to be alone.

You have probably encountered a selection of personality tests online for example, an online quiz that tells you whether you are extroverted or introverted. Some of these tests purport to reveal the "real you," while others are clearly meant only for entertainment. Personality assessments that you take online should be taken with a grain of salt. Informal tools can be fun and might offer some insight into your preferences and characteristics, but only personality tests administered by trained and qualified professionals should be used as formal assessments or to make a diagnosis.

Personality psychologists are also interested in studying problems with personality that may arise. Personality disorders are characterized as chronic and pervasive mental disorders that can seriously impact a person's thoughts, behaviors, and interpersonal functioning. The current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5 lists 10 personality disorders, including antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Being diagnosed with a personality disorder can be distressing, but you should know that there are treatments. Working with a mental health professional, you can learn to recognize the difficulties that these disorders can cause and explore new coping strategies. It is OK to feel frightened and concerned about what the future might hold but remember that you do not have to face it alone.

There are people who are trained, skilled, and ready to help you take the next steps in your treatment. Depending on your specific diagnosis, your doctor might recommend psychotherapy , skills training, medication, or a combination of all three. Work closely with your healthcare team to develop a treatment plan that focuses on your needs and goals.

Personality is a broad subject that touches on nearly every aspect of what makes people who they are. There are many ways to think about personality. There are some theories that focus on individual traits and those that consider the different developmental stages that take place as personality emerges and sometimes changes over time.

Psychologists are not only interested in understanding normal human personality, but in recognizing potential personality disturbances that might lead to distress or difficulty in key life areas. By being able to identify problems people have at home, school, work, or in their relationships, psychologists are better able to help people develop skills to cope and manage the symptoms of personality disorders.

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