The document is a comprehensive study on personality by Dr. Malathi Selvakkumar, defining personality as the sum of an individual's psychophysical systems influencing behavior. It explores the determinants of personality, including heredity, environment, family, situational, and social factors, as well as various personality types and traits. Additionally, it discusses theories of personality development, including Freudian and Eriksonian stages, and various personality theories such as the Big Five, psychoanalytical theory, and social learning theory.

1. A comprehensive Study on
PERSONALITY
By
Dr.MALATHI SELVAKKUMAR

2. PERSONALITY

3. Meaning
• It is the sum total of an individual’s psycho-
physical systems that determine his/her
behaviour in a given situation/environment.
• Personality differs from person to person
• It means different things to different people

4. Concept
• It is derived from the Latin word “per sonare”
that means “Speak through”
• It was originally used to refer to masks used in
ancient Greek dramas
• It includes both internal and
external aspects of a person
• Height, weight, colour,
physical aspects and traits

5. Determinants of Personality
• Heredity
• Environment
• Family
• Situational
• Social

6. (1) Heredity
• Physical stature, beauty, gender, temperament
(lethargic, excited), energy level
• 23 chromosomes generated by
each parent act as transmitters
of traits
• Reflexes to external stimuli
• Innate drivers

7. (2) Environment
• It includes culture that influences attitudes and
values passed from one generation to another
• Culture depends on the expected different
behaviours from males and females
• Males from rural and urban backgrounds also
differ
• Their experiences also change their personality
• Technological advances, social responsibility,
political & legal changes, and competition

8. (3) Family
• Family plays a significant role in
influencing the personality,
especially in childhood
• Similarity of behaviour including
feelings and attributes between
child and model
• Child’s desire to be like the model
• The child actually takes on the
attributes of the model

9. Family – contd…
• Siblings contribute to personality
development
• The first born is more dependent
than those born later
• They are likely to be affected
by social pressures

11. (4) Situational Factors
• Different situations call for different aspects of
personality
• Stress interviews
• Behaviour during a picnic and an interview

12. (5) Social Factors
• Persons, group and organisations influence
personality
• Called a socialisation process
• Explains employee behaviour
at work
• Wide behavioural potentials
open
• Social groups include school,
college, friend and members of groups

13. TYPES OF PERSONALITIES
• Introvert and Extrovert Personalities
• Type A and Type B personalities
• Judging and Perceptive Personalities

14. Introvert Personality
• Likes to be quiet for concentration
• Careful with details and does
not make sweeping comments
• Has trouble remembering
names and faces
• Thinks before acting
• Prefers to work alone
• Does not like interruptions at
work

15. Extrovert Personality
• Likes variety and action
• Works faster
• Greets people
• Hates complicated procedures
• Acts quickly, without thinking
• Likes people around
• Impatient
• Communicates freely
• Does not mind interruptions
at work

16. Type A Personality
• Always moving, walking and eating rapidly
• Feels impatient with the pace of events
• Tries to do 2 or more things at a time
• Cannot cope with
leisure
• Measures success
in terms of how
much they acquire
• Number obsessed

18. Type B Personality
• No impatience
• Plays for fun and relaxation
• Does not exhibit superiority
• Can relax without guilt
• Does not discuss
achievements

19. Judging Personality
• Plans work and follows that
• Likes to get things settled
• May decide things too quickly
• Notices new things that need
to be done
• Wants only essential things
needed to begin work
• Satisfied once they reach a
judgement

20. Perceptive Personality
• Adapts well to changing situations
• Does not mind leaving things
open for alterations
• Problem in decision making
• Starts too many things at a
time
• Difficulty in maintaining time
frames
• Welcomes new information or
a situation

21. PERSONALITY TRAITS
• Authoritarianism
• Locus of Control
• Machiavellianism
• Introversion and Extroversion
• Achievement Orientation
• Self –Esteem
• Risk – taking
• Self- Monitoring
• Type A and Type B personalities

22. (1) Authoritarianism
• Concept developed by psychologist Adorno during II
World War. It is a term used to describe an individual
who is:-
 Intellectually rigid
 Adheres to conventional and
traditional value systems
 Place high moral value on their
beliefs
 Conform to rules and regulations
 Prefer autocratic or directive
leadership

23. (2) Locus of Control
• It refers to an individual’s belief that events are within
one’s control (Internal locus of control) or determined
by forces beyond
one’s control (External locus of control)
• Internals have more control over
their own behaviour, seek
information for decision making
and are socially active
• Believe that they are the masters
of their own fate
• They quit dissatisfying jobs

24. External Locus of Control
• Depend on external forces
• Less satisfied with their jobs
• High absenteeism rates
• Distanced from work settings
• Less involved in their jobs
• See themselves as pawns in the hands of fate
• Believe that what happens is due to luck or
outside forces

26. (3) Machiavellianism
• Named after Niccolo Machiavelli in the 16th
century about manipulative power
• Ability of a person to manipulate
people for solving his/her interest
• Tend to be cool, logical
• Maintains emotional distance
• Tries to control people, events
and situations
• High persuasive skills
• “If it works, use it”….their motto

27. (4) Introversion and Extroversion
• Developed by Carl Jung
• Influenced by his mentor
Sigmond Freud
• He believed that individuals
were firmly within one of two
camps – introverts and extroverts
• Introverts – gain energy from
the “internal world” or from solitude
with the self
• Extroverts – gain energy from the “external world” or
interactions with others

28. (4) Introversion and Extroversion

29. (5) Achievement Orientation
• Continue to work hard to do things better
• Overcome obstacles
• Feel that success/failure is
due to their own actions
• They believe there is a direct
relationship between effort &
reward
• Perform better at sales, sports or management

30. (6) Self- Esteem
• It is a feeling of liking or disliking
oneself
• Varies from person to person
• It is directly related to success
• Those with high esteem
undertake challenging jobs
• They take up unconventional
jobs
• They have more job
satisfaction

31. Self- Esteem
• Those with low self esteem are easily influenced
by external sources
• They depend on others for
positive evaluation
• They seek approval from others
• Conform to the beliefs and
behaviours of those with high
esteem
• They tend to do actions to please others in an
organisation

32. (7) Risk taking
• There is a direct relationship between quick
decision making and high risk taking
• There is an inverse relationship between amount
of information and speed in decision making
• The nature of job also decides the amount of risk
taken – (eg) stock brokers – high risk and quick
decision making
• An accountant – low risk and slow decision
making

33. (8) Self - Monitoring
• Refers to an individual’s ability to adjust
his/her behaviour to external factors
• Self monitoring is related to adaptability
• High self monitors differentiate between their
public and personal lives; and pay close
attention to behaviour
• Low self monitors deviate their behaviour
according to the forces; poor conformance to
rules

34. (9) Type A and Type B personalities

35. The shaping of Personality – stages of
personality development
• Freudian Stages
Oral Stage
Anal Stage
Phallic Stage
Latency Stage
Genital Stage

36. (1) Oral Stage
• Present during the first year of
life
• Infant is totally dependent on
others for survival
• Thumb sucking, teeth biting
• Excessive stimulation makes an optimist who
trusts others, become passive and immature
• Less stimulation makes a pessimist, cynical and
argumentative, exploit and dominate others for
their own needs

37. (2) The Anal Stage
• Up to 3 years of age
• Toilet training is given by parents
• If the mother is very harsh, the child withholds
faeces and becomes a retentive personality
• As an adult, this child exhibits traits of
obstinacy, stinginess, orderliness, punctuality
and extreme cleanliness or mess

38. The Anal Stage
• If the mother pleads the child for regular
bowel movements and praises the child, he
will develop aggressive nature
• Cruelty, destructiveness, disorderliness and
hostility are some traits
• As an adult, this child will see others as
objects to be possessed

39. (3) The Phallic Stage
• Child is curious about birth and
sex
• It develops Oedipus complex here
• The child will both hate and
love his parents, and the feelings
are strongest towards the parent
of the same sex as the child
• If this complex is not resolved
when young, child develops
neurotic patterns of behaviour

40. The Phallic Stage
• Males in this stage are ambitious, vain, tend to
boast
• They attempt to assert their masculinity and
virility
• In women, they tend to flirt, be seductive
although she appears to be innocent and
naive

41. (4) The Latency Stage
• Aged between 6 and 7 years up to adolescence
• Elementary school level
• Development of socialising
skills
• Child shows interest in the
external world – curiosity,
knowledge gaining

42. (5) The Genital Stage
• Between adolescence and adulthood
• Shows increased interest in the
opposite sex
• They learn to give up childhood
feelings of love, security, physical
comfort that was given freely
without expecting anything in
return
• They learn to work, be responsible, be active in
dealing with life’s problems

43. Erikson’s Stages of Personality
Development
• Infancy
• Early childhood
• Play age
• School age
• Puberty and adolescence
• Young adulthood
• Middle adulthood
• Late adulthood

44. Erikson’s Stages
(1) Infancy – birth to one year
• basic trust vs mistrust based
on love and affection received.
• Negative impact is reluctant
behaviour
(2) Early Childhood – age 2 to 3
years when the child develops
independence
• Positive impact – autonomy
• Negative impact – shame and doubt

45. Erikson’s Stages
(3) Play Age - 4 to 5 years of age
 child discovers what he/she
can do
If allowed and encouraged,
he develops initiative
If discouraged, he lacks self
confidence

46. Erikson’s Stages
(4) School Age – 6 to 12 years
Learns skills and acquires knowledge
If positive, child becomes industrious
If progress does not match his ability, he
develops inferiority complex

47. Erikson’s Stages
(5) Adolescence – teenage
 They try to gain a sense of
identity for themselves
Identity gained through
autonomy, initiative and
industriousness

48. Erikson’s Stages
(6) Young Adulthood
 Aged in the twenties
 They try to develop a personal
relationship with others
 Then have a feeling of intimacy
 Failure leads to state of
isolation

49. Erikson’s Stages
(7) Adulthood
o Aged between the 40s and 50s
o Self absorption or generativity
o Those productive in work, raise
family, guide the next generation
- called generative
o Self absorbed adults do not look
beyond themselves
o Interested in career development
and maintenance

50. ss
(8) Old Age (Sunset)
Wisdom and integrity
Appreciates the past, present
and future
No fear of death
In reverse situation, despair,
fear of death, depression

51. THEORIES OF PERSONALITY
• Type Theory
• Trait Theory
• Big 5 Model
• Psychoanalytical Theory
• Social Learning Theory
• Self Theory

52. (1) Type Theory
• Based on body build and
psychological factors
• A person with a short or plump
body are sociable, noisy, fond
of physical activity and relaxed

53. Type Theory
• A thin person is restrained, self- conscious,
prefers own company
• Similar to introverts and extroverts

55. (2) Trait Theory
It works on the assumption that a person’s
personality is based on traits
Looking at one’s traits, we get a
fairly good idea about his
personality
Trait is any attribute, peculiarity, characteristic,
variable or feature
of persistent nature that is visible in
one’s thinking and acting

56. Trait Theory
According to Gordon Allport, traits are classified
as “common traits” and “personal dispositions”
Common traits help to
compare people
Personal dispositions
help to identify the
uniqueness in an
individual

57. PASTER classification (common)
o Political
o Aesthetic
o Social
o Theoretical
o Economic
o religious

58. Personal Dispositions – 3 levels
• Cardinal Traits are those that rule the
personality of an individual (eg) sense of
humour
• Central Traits can be easily detected , and that
all people have in a certain number (eg)
shyness, honesty
• Secondary Traits are less important,
peripheral and irrelevant (eg) walking style

59. Types of traits
Surface traits are those that are visible on the
surface of one’s personality

60. Types of traits
• Source Traits are the root or basic traits and
refers to the deeper patterns underlying the
personality of an individual
• They emerge always (eg)introversion, neat,
proper, concerned with what others think,
influenced by peer pressure

61. Trait Theory
Assumptions
Traits are common to many individuals, but
varies between them
They are relatively stable and influence
human behaviour
It is measured by behavioural indicators
There are 16 primary traits found in an
individual

63. (3) Big 5 Model

64. (3) Big 5 Model
I. Openness to Experience
Person is imaginative
Artistic & adventurous
Seek new experience and
intellectual pursuits/ curiosity
Enjoy questioning norms and
conventions
Low scorers may be very down
to earth
Prefers variety of experience

65. Big 5 Model
2. Conscientiousness
Responsible, dependable
Persistent and achievement
oriented
They plan work ahead
They like order
Tend not to become
distracted
 They are not reckless.

66. Big 5 Model
3. Extraversion
Sociable, talkative
Friendly
Assertive
Enthusiastic, cheerful
 Energetic
low agreeableness

67. Big 5 Model
4. Agreeableness
 Adjust their behavior to
suit others
 Typically polite and like
people
 Generous, compassionate, warm
 Kind
 Frank in their opinions, and blunt
 Good natured
 Cooperative and trusting

68. Big 5 Model
5. Neuroticism/Emotional Stability
Calm
Nervous
Enthusiastic
Depressed
Insecure

69. PSYCHOANALYTICAL THEORY
• It is based on the assumption that
human behaviour is influenced
by unseen forces rather than
conscious and rational thoughts
• Developed by Sigmund Fraud
• Behaviour is influenced by the
unconscious factors

70. Psycho-analytical theory
The three elements of the unconscious
framework:-
The ID
The EGO
The SUPER EGO

71. Psycho-analytical theory

72. Psycho-analytical theory
• The ID
It is innate and a source of
psychic energy
Called as “The Pleasure
principle”
Seeks immediate gratification
for instinctual needs
It obeys no laws and causes tension if pent up
It leads to danger for the person and the society

73. Psycho-analytical theory
• The EGO
• It is the conscious part
• Associated with and verifies
reality
• Uses logic and intellect
• Controls id through realities
• (eg) hunger pangs - eating

74. Psycho-analytical theory
• The Super- EGO
It represents a system of
values, norms and ethics
It is the conscience
Tells what is right/ wrong
Judges behaviour
It strives for perfection

75. Social Learning Theory
• It is a change in individual behaviour as a result of
experience
• Learning takes place in 2 ways:–
Reinforcement
Observing others or vicarious
learning
• Situational conditions also
influence behaviour
• Relationship between the
situation and the individual is reciprocal

76. SELF THEORY
• Developed by Carl Rogers
• Theory composed of the
perceptions of “I” and “me”
• Made up of 4 factors:-
Self Image
Ideal Self
Looking Glass Self
Real Self

77. Self Theory
• Self-Image – One’s image about oneself or
how he sees himself
• Ideal- Image – how one would
like to look like. The ideal self
motivates a person to behave
in a particular manner

78. Self Theory
• Looking Glass Self – the way an individual
thinks people perceive him. One’s belief about
self is a reflection of others’ perception about
him
• Real Self – what an individual actually is. The
perception of an individual may be the same
or differ from the above

79. Self Theory