Personality- Personality: Its Concept, Meaning, Nature, Definitions, Characteristics/Features of Personality and Determinants of Personality/Development of Personality/Factors Influencing or Affecting Personality,

Personality

Introduction

Psychology of personality is of recent growth. Personality is the completed jigsaw puzzle as the whole individual is to be studied as a whole, personality means the impact that an individual produces on the persons interacting with him or it refers to the extent to which a person impresses other people. It also refers to special characteristics, abilities, emotional and social traits, interests and attitudes of a person or can be described in terms of behaviour of an individual, his words. thoughts and gestures.

Personality: Its Concept, Meaning and Nature

The word personality has been described by many psychologists in different ways and each definition suggests a different approach towards personality.

Etymologically the word 'personality' has been derived from the Latin word 'Persona' which means mask or make up or cover through which an actor plays his role on the stage. Persona was meant a mask which the Greek actors commonly used to wear before their faces when they worked on the stage. For example, actors in Ramlila and Krishnalila use mask when they enact the role of a particular character from the epics.

This idea of mask using has been criticised in many ways because one plays many roles in this world. Thus the emphasis on outward appearance and observable behaviour gives us a very limited understanding of the individual to whom we are observing. In order to understand personality and its proper connotation, we have to take help from Biology. Sociology, Psychology and other allied Sciences. The following are the different view points to define personality.

Definitions

1. Watson defines "Personality is the sum of activities that can be discovered by actual observations over a long enough period of time to give reliable information".

2. Guilford defines "Personality is the unique pattern of traits which distinguishes one individual from another".

3. Munn defines "Personality is the most characteristic integration of an individuals structures, mode of behaviour, interests, attitudes, capacities, abilities and aptitudes".

4. Eysenck defines "Personality is the sum-total of actual behaviour patterns of the Organism". Personality is the more or less stable and enduring organisation of a person's character, temperament, intellect and physique, which determine his unique adjustment to the environment. 

5. Gestalt school defines "Personality as a pattern or configuration produced by the integrated functioning of all the traits and characteristics of an individual". 

6. Allport has attempted to give us a comprehensive definition of personality which recognises the value of wholeness, adjustment and distinctiveness of human personality. He defines "Personality is the dynamic organisation within the individual of those Psycho Physical systems that determine his unique adjustments to his environment".

Characteristics/Features of Personality

Personality is a sum total of various human qualities. Following are the chief characteristics of a balanced personality.

1. Personality is something unique and specific.

2. Personality is a dynamic and moving force. 

3. Personality includes all the behaviour patterns, i.e.. cognitive, conative and affective and covers not only the conscious activities but goes deeper to the semi- conscious and unconscious also. 

4. Personality has a structure.

5. Personality cannot be judged by only looking at his physical appearance rather it is the study of totality. 

6. Personality is the product of heredity and environment. 

Determinants of Personality/Development of Personality/Factors Influencing or Affecting Personality

1. The Physiological and Physical Factors

(Genetic or Biological Determinants)

The biological factors affecting the development of personality are the three. These are (a) Physique, (b) Chemique (Ductless Gland) and (c) Nervous system.

(a) Physique

A Physical factor of personality is the individual's physique. An individual's personalty differ according to his physique. These aspects are height, weight, body-built, colour appearance and proportion, etc., which determine to a large extent the way in which he behaves towards others and how others react towards him. It is seen that in daily life the fat men are easy going and social while thin persons are self controlled, irritated and un-social. Even tall and fair persons enjoy an advantage over their short and ugly associates. Thus the physical structure has some relation with environment and makes a change in their personality.

(b) Chemique

Another important biological factor affecting personality is body chemistry. By chemique is meant the possible effects of the ductless glands on the personality development. Glands are small organs which change chemical substances from one form to another in the body. These glands are of two types (a) duct glands, (b) ductless glands. Ductless glands called endocrines releases chemical substances (called hormones) into the blood stream which carries them to all parts of the body. The endocrine glands (ductless glands) bring about changes in physical appearance, motor functioning. intelligence and emotional stability. Some of the important ductless glands like the Pituitary Gland, the Thyroid Gland, the Adrenal Gland and Sex Glands are Interdependent. The individuals with profound imbalance of ductless glands are rarely happy or well-adjusted and play an important part in bodily, mental and emotional development and if defective, imbalanced development of personality.

(c) Nervous System

Similarly the nervous system is mainly classified as Central Nervous System which is under the control of our will and is connected with our sense organs and voluntary muscles; and Autonomous Nervous System which is entirely involuntary and autonomic and controls the involuntary muscles, heart, internal organs, etc., causes Personality development. The Physiological conditions of the body brought about by drugs. disease, diet, toxins and bacterial infections may also influence our behaviour and personality. 

Hence heredity lies at the root of all the possibilities of personality development.

II. The Environmental or Social Factors 

(Social Determinants)

Environmental influences begin since the time of the conception of the child in the womb of the mother. Mother's mental, physical and emotional conditions influence the development of fetus in the womb. Physical and geographical conditions of the environment play an important role in shaping the personality of human beings at every stage of the development. The type of home atmosphere, parent-child relationship, financial conditions, types of school and the community or society, etc., are some of the factors of environment which affect the personality. The following are the description of social factor as personality.

(a) Influence of Home and the Family on Personality

The environment of the home has a wide influence on the development of personality. A congenial home atmosphere, parent-child relationships, behaviour and attitudes of the parents towards their children, parental ambitions, family morale, patterns of child care, family education and economic conditions either affect the personality positively or negatively. Thus the role of the father and mother is very important in the family to determine and mould the personality patterns of the child.

Besides the role of the parents, the atmosphere in the family is greatly influencing. A peaceful and loving atmosphere results in children being orderly, peace-loving and very affectionate and develop mature and pleasant personalities. Whereas in a family where there is tension, constant quarrelling, incompatibility among parents, the child is likely to develop insecurity, inferiority and becomes emotionally confused and unstable. Rigid atmosphere, deprivation, autocratic styles of living, absence of affection and sympathy. affect adversely and the child often turns criminal. Thus, the child's personality is a creation of family and its development is fully dependent upon the child's parents and the child himself at home.

(b) Influence of School on Personality

School plays an important role in moulding the personality of children because a significant part of a child's life is spent in school. In school the personality and behaviour of the teacher, class fellows and playmates, the richness of the curriculum, co-curricular activities, method of teaching. nature of school organisation, and discipline that prevails, etc.. are affecting the child's personality. The child tends to identify himself with the teachers and tries to imitate his ways, manners and personality traits. Thus a good teacher and the congenial atmosphere in the institution develop the child educationally and mentally and helps in formulating balanced personality development otherwise undesirable and unethical behaviour could have been found out with the children.

(c) Influence of Society on Personality

Society is a web of social relationship. These social relationship connect men and women with one another. These inter personal relations influence and mould the personality of the individual. In the society each individual has some peculiar status and roles corresponding to him. It is found out that social control is exercised by mores, traditions, myth. legends, customs, etc., and determine the style of life of an individual. The individual cannot behave in the society as he likes because there are rules, regulations, norms and law to govern the individual. Therefore, social norms influence even the ways and attitudes of the individual. This ultimately influences his personality.

III. The Psychological or Mental Factors

The Psychological factors like motives, interests. attitudes, character, thinking, intelligence, reasoning, imagination, creativity, habits and mental health, etc.. developed by the individuals also affect their personality to a great extent.

IV. The Cultural Determinants

Every society is characterized by its cultural heritage which is transmitted from generation to generation in the form of social heredity. Thus personality of an individual is gradually shaped by the culture where he is born in. Tyler defines culture is "that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs morals, law, custom and many other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society". In simple sense culture is a way of life. It is also a fact that we are able to distinguish one person from the other on the basis of the effect of his culture over their personality characteristics. Thus, the attributes and values practised in a culture have a great effect on the personality development of its members.