Introduction to Human Personality
When
people consider human personality it is common to ask if personality is the
root cause of why people behave the way they do, and why people react to
situations the way they do. Other questions researchers seek to answer is
whether or not an individual has a conscious choice in how his or her
personality is formed, and why do people have such varying personality traits
(Feist, & Feist, 2009). Many of the questions researchers face today
regarding human personality have been around for centuries. Until recently,
philosophers, theologians, and psychologists have made very little progress in
answering some of the most basic questions about human personality (Feist,
& Feist). Renowned psychologist Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) began the process
of listening to patients so he could determine what hidden conflicts were
causing the patient’s symptoms. Freud’s method, which started out as a minor
investigative tool, became more of a scientific method that allowed him to
formulate hypothesis and verify them against clinical experience, which
eventually led him to evolve the first modern theory of human personality
(Feist, & Feist).
Following
Freud’s work psychologists have evolved the study of personality but have
continued to fail to develop a singular definition of what human personality
is. According to Feist, and Feist (2009), “Indeed, they evolved unique and
vital theories because they lacked agreement as the nature of humanity, and
because each saw personality from an individual reference point” (p. 3). Th
individual reference points of personality theorists were developed based on
the researcher’s own personal background, geographical, religious experiences,
and clinical backgrounds. Some theorists have attempted to develop
comprehensive theories about personality, and some simply focused on various
aspects of human personality development (Feist, & Feist, 2009). Although
there are various views of human personality, there is a belief that human
personality is regarded as a pattern of “relatively permanent traits and unique
characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a person’s
behavior” (Feist, & Feist, 2009, p. 4).
Personality
Individual
traits are a contributing factor in an individual’s behavior, the consistency
of the behavior, and stability of behavior in conjunction with various
situations (Feist, & Feist, 2009). Traits are regarded as being more unique
to an individual. Traits can also be regarded as a common factor in groups of
people, and in some cases, shared by an entire species (Feist, & Feist). In
cases of commonality of groups or species, these traits will display a
different pattern on an individual basis. Although people may exhibit similar
traits, each person has variations in personality based on factors like
religious beliefs, cultural norms, and upbringing. Individuals also exhibit
variations in characteristics unique to the individual. These characteristics
include various attributes like temperament, physique, and intelligence level
(Feist, & Feist).
The Study of Personality
The
study of personalities is as important to psychology as studying thoughts,
emotions, and behavior (allPsych, 2003). Psychological study of human behavior
requires that researchers observe behavior and objectively report the behavior
appropriately. Researchers must be able to explain why the person behaved a in
the manner observed (AllPsych). Once a
particular behavior is observed and explained researchers can make educated
predictions of the behavior’s reoccurrence, and develop methods to correct the
behavior (AllPsych). As with the study of behavior, researchers perform similar
experiments to develop personality theories.
The goal of personality research is
to understand the basic personality traits, and to determine if individual
traits can be groups into categories or clusters (AllPsych, 2003). Other
questions personality theorists try to answer is how personality traits
develop, and what roles do biological and environmental influences affect the
individual’s personality (AllPsych). This leads researchers to determine if
knowledge of personality can be used to make various predictions, and what
assessment devices will be effective in studying personality (AllPsych). Can
researchers discover an effective method to alter an individual’s personality,
and under what circumstances should personality modification be applied
(AllPsych).
Although
the basics of psychological study apply to how clinicians and researchers study
various aspects of human personalities, there is no singular form of
personality theory (Feist, & Feist, 2009). Biological theory suggests that
genetics are responsible for individual personality. Researchers focused on the
study of heredity surmise that a link between an individual’s personality and
genetics (Feist, & Feist). In contrast to biological theorists, behavioral
theorists suggest that individual personalities are a result of the
individual’s interaction with his or her environment, but do not place credence
in accounting for personal thoughts and emotions (Feist, & Feist). Heavily
influenced by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), psychodynamic theory suggests that the
unconscious mind and childhood experiences are major influences on individual
personality development (AllPsych, 2003).
Factors of Personality
There are numerous factors that
influence an individual’s personality. Henriques (2012) believes there are five
characteristic adaptational systems that influence personality. Henriques
suggests that individual habits correspond to basic levels of mental
processing, and initiated by the presence of specific environmental cues,
associations, and consequences (Henriques, 2012). The second system is the
experiential system, which refers to an individual’s non-verbal feelings,
images, and sensory aspects of human life (Henriques). The relational system
refers to an individual’s social motivations and feelings in relation to
internal working models, and self schema that influences an individual’s social
relationships, and personal exchanges (Henriques). The defensive system in
related to how an individual manages his or her actions, feelings, and
thoughts. The defensive system also influences the individual’s ability to cope
with distressing thoughts and experiences he or she may encounter (Henriques).
The last component is the justification system that refers to how an individual
verbalizes his or her beliefs and values, and how the individual develops of
meaningful worldview (Henriques).
Conclusion
Although
the scientific community cannot decide on a specific system regarding
personality theory, it is obvious that an individual’s personality is a major
factor in how he or she lives daily life. Personality traits can determine how
an individual reacts in stressful situations, or why he or she has a specific
food item for lunch, and what time he or she eats lunch. An individual develops
personality traits based on environmental, sociocultural, and personal
experiences he or she has starting from childhood, and continues through adult
life. Understanding personality can help researchers understand individual
behaviors, and can allow researchers to predict an individual’s behavior.
References
AllPsych. (2003). Retrieved from http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/approaches.html
Henriques, G. (2012). Psychology
Today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/theory-knowledge/201204/another-big-five-personality?page=2
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