2. What is Personality?
• Totality of an individual’s behavioral and emotional characteristics. Personality embraces
a person’s moods, attitudes, opinions, motivations, and style of thinking, perceiving,
speaking, and acting. The inner characteristics of personality are specific qualities,
attributes, traits, factors and mannerism that distinguish one individual from other
individuals.
• Personality can be defined as those inner psychological characteristics that both
determine and reflect how a person think and act in an environment.
• The word personality is derived from a Greek word “persona” which means “to speak
through.” Personality is the combination of characteristics or qualities that forms a
person’s unique identity. It signifies the role which a person plays in public. Every
individual has a unique, personal and major determinant of his behavior that defines
his/her personality.
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3. Definition of Personality
Every individual defines personality in a different way which includes trait factors and
physical appearance. The term personality has been defined differently by different
psychologists. It should be emphasized, however, that no definition of personality has found
universal acceptance within the field.
“Personality is how people affect others and how they understand and view themselves, as
well as their pattern of inner and outer measurable traits and the person situation
interaction.” (Fred Luthans)
“Personality is a broad, amorphous designation relating to fundamental approaches of
persons to others and themselves. To most psychologists and students of behavior, this
term refers to the study of the characteristic traits of an individual, relationships between
these traits and the way in which a person adjusts to other people and situations.” (J.B
Kolasa)
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4. Definition of Personality
“The enduring configuration of characteristics and behavior that comprises an individual’s
unique adjustment to life, including major traits, interests, drives, values, self-concept,
abilities, and emotional patterns. Personality is generally viewed as a complex, dynamic
integration or totality shaped by many forces, including hereditary and constitutional
tendencies; physical maturation; early training; identification with significant individuals and
groups; culturally conditioned values and roles; and critical experiences and relationships.
Various theories explain the structure and development of personality in different ways, but
all agree that personality helps determine behavior.” (American Psychological Association)
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5. Personality
Although there is debate between whether or not our personalities are inherent when we are born (nature) versus
the way we grew up (nurture), most researchers agree that personality is usually a result of both nature and our
environmental/education experiences. For example, you have probably heard someone say, “She acts just like her
mother.” She likely behaves that way because she was born with some of her mother’s traits, as well as because
she learned some of the behaviors her mother passed to her while growing up. Another example might be
someone who grows up with their parents constantly having parties. As a result, as an adult this person may end
up organizing a lot of parties, too. Or the influence of parties may create the opposite effect, where the person
doesn’t want to have parties at all. The environmental and educational experiences can create positive or negative
associations, which result in how we feel about any situation that occurs in our lives.
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6. Factors of Personality
The determinants of personality can be grouped in five broad
categories:
1. Biological Factors
2. Cultural Factors
3. Family Factors
4. Social Factors
5. Situational Factors
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7. 1. Biological Factors
The biological factors are of biogenic by nature and include those of heredity, endocrine glands, physique and
physical condition, nervous system, etc.
1. Heredity: Heredity refers to those factors that were determined at conception. Physical stature, facial
attractiveness, gender, temperament, muscle composition and reflexes, energy level, and biological rhythms
are characteristics that are considered to be inherent from one’s parents. The heredity approach argues that
the ultimate explanation of an individual’s personality is the molecular structure of the genes, located in the
chromosomes.
2. Physical Features: A vital ingredient of the personality, an individual’s external appearance, is biologically
determined. The fact that a person is tall or short, fat or skinny, black or white will influence the person’s effect
on others and this in turn, will affect the self-concept.
3. Nervous System: Nervous system too influences personality development. Mental abilities, sensory motor
skill are also determined by the nervous system. The autonomic nervous system and the central nervous
system are responsible for personality development.
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8. 2. Cultural Factors
Among the factors that influence personality formation is the culture in which we are raised,
early conditioning, norms prevailing within the family, friends and social groups and other
miscellaneous experiences that impact us.
The culture largely determines attitudes towards independence, aggression, competition,
cooperation and a host of other human responses.
According to Paul H Mussen, “each culture expects, and trains, its members to behave in
ways that are acceptable to the group. To a marked degree, the child’s cultural group
defines the range of experiences and situations he is likely to encounter and the values and
personality characteristics that will be reinforced and hence learned.”
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9. 3. Family Factors
Whereas the culture generally prescribes and limits what a person can be taught, it is the
family, and later the social group, which selects, interprets and dispenses the culture. Thus,
the family probably has the most significant impact on early personality development.
A substantial amount of empirical evidence indicates that the overall home environment
created by the parents, in addition to their direct influence, is critical to personality
development.
The parents play an especially important part in the identification process, which is
important to the person’s early development. The home environment also influences the
personality of an individual. Siblings (brothers and sisters) also contribute to personality.
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10. 4. Social Factors
There is increasing recognition given to the role of other relevant persons, groups and especially
organizations, which greatly influence an individual’s personality. This is commonly called the
socialization process.
Socialization involves the process by which a person acquires, from the enormously wide range of
behavioral potentialities that are open to him or her, those that are ultimately synthesized and
absorbed.
Socialization starts with the initial contact between a mother and her new infant. After infancy, other
members of the immediate family – father, brothers, sisters and close relatives or friends, then the
social group: peers, school friends and members of the work group – play influential roles.
Socialization process is especially relevant to organizational behavior because the process is not
confined to early childhood, taking place rather throughout one’s life. In particular, the evidence is
accumulating that socialization may be one of the best explanations for why employees behave the
way they do in today’s organizations.
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11. 5. Situational Factors
Human personality is also influenced by situational factors. The effect of the environment is quite
strong. Knowledge, skill and language are obviously acquired and represent important
modifications of behavior.
An individual’s personality, while generally stable and consistent, does change in different
situations. The varying demands of different situations call forth different aspects of one’s
personality.
According to Milgram, “Situation exerts an important press on the individual. It exercises
constraints and may provide a push. In certain circumstances, it is not so much the kind of
person a man is, as the kind of situation in which he is placed that determines his actions”. We
should therefore not look at personality patterns in isolation.
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12. Definition of Individual Behavior
Individual Behavior
Definition: Individual behavior refers to the unique patterns of actions, reactions, and
conduct exhibited by an individual in various situations and contexts.
Observable Actions: Individual behavior is observable and can be influenced by external
factors such as environmental stimuli, social norms, and situational demands.
Context-Dependent: Individual behavior may vary depending on the specific
circumstances, roles, and social contexts in which the individual interacts.
Dynamic and Changeable: Individual behavior can change over time in response to
learning, experiences, and environmental influences.
Examples: Individual behavior encompasses actions such as decision-making, problem-
solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution.
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13. Definition of Personality
Personality
Definition: Personality refers to the unique set of permanent traits, characteristics,
emotions, and patterns of thought that define an individual's unique identity and behavior.
Internal Characteristics: Personality traits are internal and relatively stable over time,
representing consistent patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Influences Behavior: Personality traits influence how individuals perceive and interpret
situations, interact with others, and respond to various stimuli.
Inborn and Inherited: Personality traits are believed to have a genetic and biological
basis, although they can also be shaped by environmental factors and life experiences.
Examples: Personality traits include characteristics such as extraversion, agreeableness,
conscientiousness, openness to experience, and emotional stability (neuroticism), as
described by the Big Five personality model.
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14. Individual Behavior VS Personality
While individual behavior refers to the observable actions and reactions of individuals in
different situations, personality involves the permanent traits and characteristics that
trigger and shape those behaviors.
Individual behavior is influenced by personality traits, but it also reflects situational factors
and external influences.
Personality may be viewed as consisting of stable characteristics that explain why a
person behaves in a particular way. Personality traits are relatively stable patterns of
thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that define an individual's unique identity and
contribute to their consistent behavioral tendencies across different situations.
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15. Importance of Understanding Individual Differences
Understanding individual differences in organizational behavior is crucial for fostering a positive
work environment, enhancing productivity, and promoting organizational effectiveness.
Here are some key reasons why understanding individual differences is important:
1. Effective Communication and Collaboration:
Individuals possess diverse communication styles, preferences, and cultural backgrounds.
Understanding these differences helps facilitate effective communication and collaboration within
teams and across organizational levels.
Recognizing and respecting individual differences in communication styles can minimize
misunderstandings, conflicts, and barriers to effective teamwork.
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16. Importance of Understanding Individual Differences
2. Tailored Leadership and Management Approaches:
Effective leaders recognize that individuals have unique strengths, weaknesses, motivations,
and learning styles.
Understanding individual differences allows leaders and managers to tailor their leadership
styles, coaching techniques, and performance management approaches to meet the specific
needs and preferences of their team members.
Tailored leadership approaches can enhance employee engagement, job satisfaction, and
performance.
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17. Importance of Understanding Individual Differences
3. Conflict Resolution and Team Dynamics:
Conflicts often arise from differences in personalities, values, and perspectives among team
members. Understanding individual differences enables managers and team leaders to identify
the root causes of conflicts and implement effective conflict resolution strategies.
Appreciating diverse viewpoints and fostering an inclusive work environment promotes
constructive dialogue, collaboration, and innovation within teams.
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18. Importance of Understanding Individual Differences
4. Promotion of Diversity and Inclusion:
Recognizing and valuing individual differences promotes diversity and inclusion within
organizations.
Embracing diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity, age, cultural background, and cognitive styles
fosters creativity, innovation, and organizational resilience.
Inclusive organizational cultures encourage diverse perspectives, experiences, and
contributions, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving.
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19. Importance of Understanding Individual Differences
5. Enhanced Employee Engagement and Satisfaction:
Employees feel valued and respected when their individual differences are acknowledged and
appreciated.
Organizations that prioritize understanding and accommodating individual differences tend to
have higher levels of employee engagement, job satisfaction, and commitment.
Employees are more likely to be motivated and productive when they feel understood,
supported, and empowered to contribute their unique talents and perspectives.
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20. Importance of Understanding Individual Differences
6. Optimized Talent Management and Development:
Understanding individual differences enables organizations to identify and influence employees'
strengths and developmental areas.
Customized training, mentoring, and career development programs tailored to individual needs
and aspirations help maximize employees' potential and career growth.
Strategic talent management practices that recognize and reward diverse talents and
contributions contribute to employee retention and organizational success.
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