Personality

Personality is the particular combination of emotional, attitudinal, and behavioral response patterns of an individual. Personality refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. The study of personality focuses on two broad areas: One is understanding individual differences in particular personality characteristics, such as sociability or irritability. The other is understanding how the various parts of a person come together as a whole.

Determinants of Personality: Biological:

Hereditary: Personality may be hereditary, that is, transmitted from parents to their children through genetics. Research done on animals has suggested this theory; however, there is inconclusive proof whether this theory may work with humans. It is more likely that only human temperament is transmitted through genetics. Brain: Psychologists find it difficult to empirically relate brain physiology to personality. However, from the electrical stimulation of the brain, they have realized that a better understanding of human personality may come from the study of the brain. Physical Features: Physical characteristics of a person have a tremendous influence on his/her personality. Physical characteristics may include height, weight, attractiveness, skin color, gender, etc.

Biofeedback:
It is third biological approach to determine personality. Physiologists and psychologists felt that biological functions like brainwave patterns, gastric and hormonal secretions, and fluctuations in blood pressure and skin temperature were beyond

conscious control. Recent research shows that these functions can be consciously controlled through biofeedback techniques. For this purpose, individual can learns the internal rhythms of a particular body process through electronic signals that are feedback from equipment which is wired to body. In this process, the person can learn to control the body process through questions. It is one of the interesting topics to do future research work in personality.

Cultural
While culture may be considered to play an influential role in the development of one's personality, psychologists have not found conclusive proof of this concept. Nevertheless, cultural influences on one's personality may he vast. A person within a culture is expected to behave in a certain way that is acceptable to the whole community. Familial & Situational This process is a bit complex and is dependent upon various processes. Social processes such as our interaction with our parents during childhood may have a great influence on our personalities. When we interacted with our parents, we picked up their behavior. In face, there is empirical evidence that the environment parents create at home shapes their child's personality. For example, a child brought up in a violent home may grow up to be aggressive. Furthermore, there are various personality theories that study the development of personality based on family and social factors. These theories are the intrapsychic theory, type theories, trait theories, social learning theories, and self-theory. While all these theories differ in their fundamental principles, they all show that the development of personality depends upon social constructs created by society.

Personality Type
According to Jung's theory of Psychological Types we are all different in fundamental ways. One's ability to process different information is limited by their particular type. These types are sixteen. People can be either Extroverts or Introverts, depending on the direction of their activity ; Thinking, Feeling, Sensing, Intuitive, according to their own information pathways; Judging or Perceiving, depending on the method in which they process received information. Extroverts vs. Introverts Extroverts are directed towards the objective world whereas Introverts are directed towards the subjective world. The most common differences between Extroverts and Introverts are shown below: Extroverts

Introverts

are interested in what is happening around them are open and often talkative compare their own opinions with the opinions of others like action and initiative easily make new friends or adapt to a new group say what they think are interested in new people easily break unwanted relations

are interested in their own thoughts and feelings need to have own territory often appear reserved, quiet and thoughtful usually do not have many friends have difficulties in making new contacts like concentration and quiet do not like unexpected visits and therefore do not make them work well alone

Sensing vs. Intuition Sensing is an ability to deal with information on the basis of its physical qualities

and its affection by other information. Intuition is an ability to deal with the information on the basis of its hidden potential and its possible existence. The most common differences between Sensing and Intuitive types are shown below: Sensing types

Intuitive types

see everyone and sense everything live in the here and now quickly adapt to any situation like pleasures based on physical sensation are practical and active are realistic and self-confident

are mostly in the past or in the future worry about the future more than the present are interested in everything new and unusual do not like routine are attracted more to the theory than the practice often have doubts

Thinking vs. Feeling Thinking is an ability to deal with information on the basis of its structure and its function. Feeling is an ability to deal with information on the basis of its initial energetic condition and its interactions. The most common differences between Thinking and Feeling type are shown below: Thinking types

Feeling types

are interested in systems, structures, patterns expose everything to logical analysis are relatively cold and unemotional evaluate things by intellect and right or wrong have difficulties talking about feelings do not like to clear up arguments or quarrels

are interested in people and their feelings easily pass their own moods to others pay great attention to love and passion evaluate things by ethics and good or bad can be touchy or use emotional manipulation often give compliments to please people

Perceiving vs. Judging Perceiving types are motivated into activity by the changes in a situation. Judging types are motivated into activity by their decisions resulting from the changes in a situation. The most common differences between Perceiving and Judging types are shown below: Perceiving types

Judging types

act impulsively following the situation can start many things at once without finishing them properly prefer to have freedom from obligations are curious and like a fresh look at things work productivity depends on their mood often act without any preparation

do not like to leave unanswered questions plan work ahead and tend to finish it do not like to change their decisions have relatively stable workability easily follow rules and discipline

PERSONALITY THEORIES:Biological Theories: Biological approaches suggest that genetics are responsible for personality. Research on heritability suggests that there is a link between genetics and personality traits. One of the best known biological theorists was Hans Eysenck, who linked aspects of personality to biological processes. For example, Eysenck argued that introverts had high cortical arousal, leading them to avoid stimulation. On the other hand, Eysenck believed extroverts had low cortical arousal, causing them to seek out stimulating experiences.

Behavioral Theories: 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 Albert Bandura. Psychodynamic Theories: Psychodynamic theories of personality are heavily influenced by the work of Sigmund Freud, and emphasize the influence of the unconscious mind and childhood experiences on personality. Psychodynamic theories include Sigmund Freuds psychosexual stage theory and Erik Eriksons stages of psychosocial development. Freud believed the three components of personality were the id, the ego, and thesuperego. The id is responsible for all needs and urges, while the superego for ideals and moral. The ego moderates between the demands of the id, the superego, and reality. Erikson believed that personality progressed through a series of stages, with certain conflicts arising at each stage. Success in any stage depended upon successfully overcoming these conflicts. Humanist Theories: Humanist theories emphasize the importance of free will and individual experience in the development of personality. Humanist theorists emphasized the concept of self-actualization, which is an innate need for personal growth that motivates behavior. Humanist theorists include Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. Trait Theories: The trait theory approach is one of the largest areas within personality psychology. According to this theory, personality is made up of a number of broad traits. A trait is basically a relatively stable characteristic that causes an individual to behave in certain ways. Some of the best known trait theories include Eysenck's three-dimension theory and the five factor theory of personality.

HOW PERSONALITY DEVELOPS?

Personality development has been a major topic of interest for some of the most prominent thinkers in psychology. Our personality is what make us unique, but how exactly do we become who we are today? In order to answer this question, many prominent theorists developed stage theories to describe various steps and stages that occur on the road of personality development. The following theories focus on various aspects of personality development, including cognitive, social and moral development. Piagets Stages of Cognitive Development Jean Piagets theory of cognitive development remains one of the most frequently cited in psychology, despite being subject to considerable criticism. While many aspects of his theory have not stood the test of time, the central idea remains important today: children think differently than adults. Learn more about Piagets groundbreaking theory and the important contributions it made to our understanding of personality development. Freuds Stages of Psychosexual Development In addition to being one of the best-know thinkers in the area of personality development, Sigmund Freud remains one of the most controversial. In his well-known stage theory of psychosexual development, Freud suggested that personality develops in stages that are related to specific erogenous zones. Failure to successfully complete these stages, he suggested, would lead to personality problems in adulthood. Freuds Structural Model of Personality Freuds concept of the id, ego and superego has gained prominence in popular culture, despite a lack of support and considerable skepticism from many researchers. According to Freud, three elements of personalityknown as the id, the ego, and the superegowork together to create complex human behaviors.

Eriksons Stages of Psychosocial Development Erik Eriksons eight-stage theory of human development is one of the best known theories in psychology. While the theory builds on Freuds stages of psychosexual development, Erikson chose to focus on the importance of social relationships on personality development. The theory also extends beyond childhood to look at development across the entire lifespan. Kohlbergs Stages of Moral Development Lawrence Kohlberg developed a theory of personality development that focused on the growth of moral thought. Building on a two-stage process proposed by Piaget, Kohlberg expanded the theory to include six different stages. While the theory has been criticized for a number of different reasons, including the possibility that it does not accommodate different genders and cultures equally, Kohlbergs theory remains important in our understanding of personality development.

HOW PERSONALITY INFLUENCES ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR?

Locus of control: refers to what a person believes that has a good or bad influence about his/her life. More specific in a work environment: if the career path is influenced mostly by external factors or internal forces. Weak people believe in fate, luck and powerful people that can help them on the way. It works if you accept to have your freedom and rights as a human being limited. Strong people believe in themselves. Their future is determined by their career planning process, their actions and initiatives. These people ask not why you have money, but how did you do it so I can do it too? Self-esteem:

is the result of self-evaluation. A favorable image about yourself can make you more resistant to external influences, consequently much more inclined to be perseverant and focused. Self-monitoring: is about self-control or how much of a show you put in interacting with others. There are jobs that require acting (from my personal experience, law is one of them) and there are natural actors that have the wrong job.