Question

Based on classic perspectives of personality, how is personality measured?

Answer 1

Personality word has been derived from Persona [ Latin] mean mask. For many it means reflection of the behaviour patterns and characteristics of an individual. Which is more external in nature like how you dress, bodily action, how you speak etc. But that is not true. Personality is derived concept and derivation is possible in 3 ways

1. Subjective [ impression formed by individual]
2. Objective description [response base]
3. Organismic [ Person characteristic pattern]

Therefore, Personality has various dimension – Traits [ fixed characteristics, where individual behave in same manner in different situation. E.g. Helpful or being kind]; Motivation [ Motivation is important to engage in any behaviours] ; temperaments [ emotional and effective tendencies of an individual] ; Character [ moral excellence also called conscience ]

Characteristic and feature of personality

If we refer to most of the definition of the personality we will get;

1. Psycho-physical [ Both psychological and physical aspect]
2. Dynamic Organization [ different psychological element or element which operate independently but subject to change]

Early speculations accepted that identity was communicated in people’s physical appearance. One early approach, created by the German doctor Franz Joseph Rankle (1758–1828) and known as phrenology, was based on the thought that we could degree identify by evaluating the designs of bumps on people’s skulls . In the Victorian age, phrenology was taken truly and numerous individuals advanced its utilize as a source of mental knowledge and self-knowledge. Machines were indeed created for making a difference individuals analyse skulls

Another approach, known as somatology, championed by the clinician William Herbert Sheldon (1898–1977), was based on the thought that we could decide identity from people’s body sorts contended that individuals with more body fat and a rounder physical make-up (“endomorphs”) were more likely to be self-assured and strong, while more slender individuals (“ectomorphs”) were more likely to be contemplative and mental. As with phrenology, logical inquire about did not approve the expectations of the hypothesis, and somatology has presently been disparaged in modern brain research.

Another approach to identifying identity is known as physiognomy, or the thought that it is conceivable to evaluate identity from facial characteristics. In differentiate to phrenology and somatology, for which no investigate bolster has been found, modern investigate has found that individuals are able to distinguish a few viewpoints of a person’s character—for occasion, whether they are cheerful or straight and whether they are Democrats or Republicans—at over chance levels by looking as it were at his or her confront

There are many theories which contribute to the learning of personality. Each approach focuses on element and share the perspective on personality.

1. Psychoanalytic Approach

Proposed by Sigmund Freud and carl Jung. Theories under psychoanalytic, understand behaviour from the perspective of unconscious mind [ develop during childhood with experience, social environment or pressure and subconscious need for self-realization] and desire, which lead and impact the individual.

1. Humanistic Approach:

Theories under Humanistic approach based on inherent desire for self-actualization and satisfaction of needs as key driving force. Abraham Maslow’s theory of Hierarchy need fall under Humanistic approach “lower the need in hierarchy the more dominating that need would be. Highest order need emerges only when lower needs in hierarchy are satisfied’

1. Trait theories Approach

Focuses on identification of specific trait that forms the basis of personality or behaviours. According to Atkinson, Atkinson and Hilgard “A trait refers to any characteristic that differs from person to person in a relatively permanent and consistent way.” Trait approach got maximum impetus from the work of Allport, Cattlell and Eysenck.

1. Social Cognitive Approach

Focuses on 2 principles, a) Behaviour, environment and person influence each other; b) conscious cognitive capabilities of individual help them to symbolically represent the event; reflection in self and agent of their own development. Bandura, 1986, Bandura, 1997; Cervone & Williams, 1992

Above approach tries to look at various perspective and made us understand that there many factors and element. Personality is broad and vast subject in the field of human development or psychology. Psychologist not only interested understanding human personality but potential disturbance at might lead to distress or issue is school. Work, marriage etc.