This document provides an overview of personality and various theories of personality. It defines personality and discusses its nature and characteristics. It then examines several approaches to studying personality, including physiological, psychological, and socio-cultural perspectives. The document outlines several influential theories of personality, such as type theories, trait theories, psychoanalytic theory, and humanistic theory. It also discusses determinants of personality like heredity, environment, culture, and experiences. Finally, it covers methods of assessing personality through objective tests like the MMPI and projective tests like the TAT and Rorschach inkblot test.

1. Unit 2 - Personality
Psychology of Learners
Semester 2
Course Code : SBEPE4

2. Definition
“Personality is the dynamic organization within
the individual of those psychophysical systems
that determine his characteristic behaviour and
thought"
(Allport, 1961, p. 28).

3. Definition
• “The characteristics or blend of characteristics
that make a person unique” (Weinberg & Gould,
1999).
• “ Personality is that which permits a prediction
of what a person will do in a given situation”.
(Cattell)

4. Meaning of Personality
• The term ‘personality’ is derived from the
Latin word ‘persona’ which means a mask.“
• The term personality refers to the habits,
attitudes, and other social traits that are
characteristic of a given individual’s
behaviour.
• Personality is the totality of behaviour of an
individual.

5. Nature/ Characteristics of
Personality
(i) Personality is not related to bodily structure alone.
It includes both structure and dynamics
(ii) Personality is an indivisible unit.
(iii) Personality is neither good nor bad.
(iv) Personality is not a mysterious phenomenon.

6. Nature/ Characteristics of
Personality
(v) Every personality is unique.
(vi) Personality refers to persistent qualities of the individual. It
expresses consistency.
(vii) Personality is acquired.
(viii) Personality is influenced by social interaction. It is defined
in terms of behaviour.

7. Approaches to personality
• Physiological
• Psychological
• Socio-Cultural

8. Determinants of Personality
Personality is a result of the combination of four
factors, i.e.,
 Physical environment,
 Heredity,
 Culture, and
 Particular experiences.

9. Personality and Environment
 Man comes to form ideas and attitudes
according to the physical environment he lives
in.
 Climate and topography determine to a great
extent the physical and mental traits of a
people, but it cannot be said that they alone
determine human behaviour.

10. Heredity and Personality
 Some of the similarities in man’s personality
are said to be due to his common heredity.
Every human group inherits the same general
set of biological needs and capacities.
 The nervous system, the organic drives and
the ductless glands have a great bearing upon
personality.

11. Personality and Culture
 Personality is the subjective aspect of culture.
 Personality is an individual aspect of culture,
while culture is a collective aspect of
personality.
 The culture provides the raw material of
which the individual makes his life.

12. Personality and Particular
Experiences
Personality is also determined by the particular
and unique experiences. There are two types of
experiences, those that stem from continuous
association with one’s group and those that arise
suddenly and are not likely to recur.

13. Determinants of Personality
 The four factors explain personality—its
formation, development and maintenance.
 The relative contribution of each factor to
personality varies.

14. Personality Theories
Personality Theory:
System of concepts, assumptions, ideas, and
principles proposed to explain personality.

15. Terminology
• Personality: a person’s internally based
characteristic way of acting and thinking
• Character: Personal characteristics that have
been judged or evaluated
• Temperament: Hereditary aspects of personality,
including sensitivity, moods, irritability, and
distractibility
• Personality Trait: Stable qualities that a person
shows in most situations
• Personality Type: People who have several traits
in common

16. Theories of Personality
• Type Theories
• Trait Theories
• Psychoanalytic Theory
• Humanistic Theory

17. Theories of Personality
Eysenck
Cattell
Freud
Adler
Jung

18. Type Theories
These theories try to segregate and classify
people according to
certain body types and certain characteristics

19. Hippocrates Theory
Two factors create 4 combinations, related to the four
basic temperaments recognized by ancient Greeks:
• Melancholic (introverted + unstable):
sad, gloomy
• Choleric (extroverted + unstable):
hot-tempered, irritable
• Phlegmatic (introverted + stable):
sluggish, calm
• Sanguine (extroverted + stable):
cheerful, hopeful

20. Sheldon’s Theory
In 1940, William Sheldon an American Psychologist,
classified human personalities based on body build.
• Endomorph (A short, plump person)
Sociable, relaxed and even-tempered
• Ectomorph (A tall, thin Person)
Restrained, self conscious and fond of solitude
• Mesomorph (A Heavy, Muscular Person)
Noisy, callous and fond of physical activity.

21. Triguna Theory
Sattva- Cleanliness, Truthfulness, dutifulness,
detachment and discipline.
Rajas- Intensive activity, desire for sense
gratification, dissatisfaction, envy.
Tamas– Anger, arrogance, depression, laziness,
feeling of helplessness

22. Friedman & Rosenman’s Theory
This theory classifies people as
– Type A- Possess high motivation, lack patience,
fall short of time, in a great hurry, always feel
burdened with work, can’t slow down.
– Type B- Absence of category of Type A
– Type C- Unassertive, cooperative, patient
– Type D- Proneness of depression

23. Type A
• are always moving, walking, and eating rapidly;
• feel impatient with the rate at which most events
take place;
• strive to think or do two or more things at once;
• cannot cope with leisure time;
• are obsessed with numbers, measuring their
success in terms of how many or how much of
everything they acquire

24. Type B
• never suffer from a sense of time urgency
with its accompanying impatience;
• feel no need to display or discuss either their
achievements or accomplishments;
• play for fun and relaxation, rather than to
exhibit their superiority at any cost;
• can relax without guilt.

25. Ernest Kretschmer’s Theory
a. Pyknic type
b. Asthenic type
c. Athletic type
d. Dysplastic type

26. JUNG’s THEORY
Carl Jung, Swiss psychiatrist who was a Freudian
disciple, believed that we are one of two
personality types:
• Introvert: Shy, self-centered person whose
attention is focused inward
• Extrovert: Bold, outgoing person whose
attention is directed outward

27. CG Jung’s Classification
CG Jung has classified personality on the
basis of sociability character as
Introverts
Extraverts
Ambiverts

28. Introverts
 shyness,
 social withdrawal
 tendency to talk less
 appear to be self-centered
 unable to adjust easily in social situations
 future oriented, very sensible and rigid in ideas.

29. Extraverts
 Outgoing, friendly, talkative
 social in nature and prefer social contacts
 generous, sportive, and courageous
 show interest in present reality than future
 express their feelings openly
 Take decisions quickly and act upon quickly
 They are not affected easily by difficulties..

30. Ambiverts
There are only few people who are pure introverts or
pure extraverts. The remaining majority of people
possess both the qualities of introverts and extraverts.
This classification was made by psychologists who came
after Jung.

31. Personality – Trait Theories
• A personality trait is a personality characteristic
that endures over time and across different
situations
• Trait theories of personality focus on measuring,
identifying and describing individual differences
in personality in terms of traits
• Focus is on what is different- not what is the
same
• Can be used to predict behaviour based on traits

32. Allport’s Theory
• In 1936, Gordon Allport found that one English language
dictionary alone contained more than 4,000 words
describing different personality traits.
• He categorized these traits into three levels:
i. Cardinal traits: govern the direction of one's life.
ii. Central traits: operate in daily interactions, as illustrated
by a tendency to always try to control a situation. Terms
such as intelligent, honest, shy are central traits.
iii. Secondary traits: These are the traits that are sometimes
related to attitudes or preferences and often appear only
in certain situations or under specific circumstances.
Some examples would be getting anxious when speaking
to a group or impatient while waiting in line.

33. Eysenck’s Theory
Hans Eysenck, English psychologist, believed
that there are three fundamental factors in
personality:
1. Introversion versus Extroversion
2. Emotionally Stable versus Unstable (neurotic)
3. Psychoticism vs. Socialization.

34. Introversion versus Extroversion
People high on the trait of extroversion are
sociable and outgoing and readily connect with
others, whereas people high on the trait of
introversion have a higher need to be alone,
engage in solitary behaviours, and limit their
interactions with others.

35. Neuroticism/Stability
People high on neuroticism tend to be anxious;
they tend to have an overactive sympathetic
nervous system and even with low stress, their
bodies and emotional state tend to go into a
flight-or-fight reaction.
People high on stability tend to need more
stimulation to activate their flight-or-fight
reaction and are therefore considered more
emotionally stable.

36. Psychoticism/Socialization
People who are high on psychoticism tend to be
independent thinkers, cold, nonconformist,
impulsive, antisocial, and hostile.
People who are high on socialization (often
referred to as superego control) tend to have
high impulse control—they are more altruistic,
empathetic, cooperative, and conventional.

37. Cattell’s Theory
Raymond Cattell, from Devon, England, believed
that there were two basic categories of traits:
• Surface Traits: Features that make up the
visible areas of personality
• Source Traits: Underlying characteristics of a
personality
• Cattell also constructed the 16PF, a
personality test identifying 16 personality
factors (source traits).

38. Cattell’s Theory (16 PF)
 Allport’s list of 4,500 traits to 171.
 sixteen dimensions of human personality
traits:
abstractedness, warmth, apprehension,
emotional stability, liveliness, openness to
change, perfectionism, privateness,
intelligence, rule consciousness , tension,
sensitivity, social boldness, self-reliance,
vigilance, and dominance.

39. Lew Goldberg’s BIG 5
• Extroversion This trait includes characteristics such as excitability,
sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and high amounts of
emotional expressiveness. Sociable, gregarious, and assertive I love
excitement and am a cheerful person
• Agreeableness This personality dimension includes attributes such
as trust, altruism, kindness, affection, and other prosocial
behaviors. Good-natured, cooperative, and trusting. People find me
warm and generous and selfless Big Five Personality Traits
• Conscientiousness Common features of this dimension include high
levels of thoughtfulness, with good impulse control and goal-
directed behaviors Responsible, dependable, persistent, and
organized. People find me reliable and I keep my house clean

40. Lew Goldberg’s BIG 5
• Emotional Stability Individuals high in this trait tend to
experience emotional instability, anxiety, moodiness,
irritability, and sadness. calm, self-confident, secure
(positive) versus nervous, depressed, and insecure
(negative). am very moody I often feel sad and down
• Openness to Experience This trait features
characteristics such as imagination and insight, and
those high in this trait also tend to have a broad range
of interests. I am a very curious person & enjoy
challenges Imaginativeness, artistic, sensitivity, and
intellectualism.

41. Humanistic Approach
• Humanism: Approach that focuses on human
experience, problems, potentials, and ideals
• Human Nature: Traits, qualities, potentials, and
behavior patterns most characteristic of humans
• Free Choice: Ability to choose that is NOT
controlled by genetics, learning, or unconscious
forces
• Subjective Experience: Private perceptions of
reality

42. Psychoanalytic Theory

43. Psychoanalytic Theory

44. Assessment of Personality
• Objective Tests
• Projective Tests
https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-
test
https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test

45. Objective Tests
Objective personality tests measure personality
in a multiple choice or a true or false format.
The stimulus is observable.
Allows for objective scoring of the test.
Some types of objective personality tests:
• MMPI
• MBTI

46. Personality Inventory
• Inventories are commonly used to identify the
structure and features of one’s personality, or
one’s characteristic way of thinking, feelings
and behaving.
• They may have multiple choice or checklist
options as answers to statements in I person.
• Questionnaires instead use Questions in II
person.

47. Structured Personality Inventories:
• Are standardized, usually self-report
instruments.
• Use selected response items (true/false,
multiple choice) or rating scales.
 No right or wrong answer (i.e., true may indicate a
trait – “outgoing”).
 Broad scope inventories are very comprehensive (1
to 2 hrs); for example, the MMPI-2.
 Narrow scope inventories focus on targeted aspects
of personality (i.e. BDI-II that tests only
Depression).

48. MMPI
• Widely used Personality Inventory
• Objective Test
• Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
assists psychologists in identifying personality
structure and psychopathology

49. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality
Inventory (MMPI-2)
 567 true/false questions
 18 years and older
 Takes 60 to 90 minutes to complete
 Has 10 clinical scales that assess dimensions
of personality and psychopathology.
 Has 9 validity scales to detect response
styles (i.e. unanswered questions).
 Available in English, Hmong, French
and Spanish.

51. California Personality Inventory
 434 true/false statements.
 Ages 12 to 70.
 Takes about 50 to 60 minutes.
 Designed for “normal” people.
 Focus on behavior patterns, feelings and
opinions, and attitudes relating to
social, ethical, and family matters.

52. MBTI
• The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is an
introspective self-report questionnaire
• Designed to indicate psychological
preferences in how people perceive the
world and make decisions.
(“Myers–Briggs Type Indicator”, 2017)

53. MBTI
• A personality test that taps four
characteristics and classifies people into 1 of
16 personality types.
• Personality Types
Extroverted vs. Introverted (E or I)
Sensing vs. Intuitive (S or N)
Thinking vs. Feeling (T or F)
Judging vs. Perceiving (P or J)

55. Projective Tests
Tests that provide ambiguous stimuli designed to trigger
projection of one’s inner dynamics.
 Some types of projective tests:
• Thematic Apperception Test
• Rorschach Inkblot Test

56. Thematic Apperception Test(TAT)
Developed by Henry Murray, this test allows people to express
their inner feelings and interests through stories they make up
about ambiguous scenesand pictures.
 Contains 31 black and white pictures
 The usual number of cards shown to the client is
between 10 and 14
 Administration of the TAT usually takes an hour
 Client is asked to make a story about each
picture
 Examiner asks client several questions in order to
better understand his/her story

57. Thematic Apperception Test(TAT)
(1)what is happening at the moment,
(2)what the characters are thinking and
feeling,
(3)what led up to the situation, and
(4)what the outcome will be.

58. Thematic Apperception Test(TAT)
Each of these scoring categories attempts to measure the following information:
(1) Story Design
(2) Story Orientation
(3) Story Solutions
(4) Story Resolution
Examiners are encouraged to explore information obtained from the TAT stories as
hypotheses for testing rather than concrete facts.

62. Rorschach Inkblot Test
A test composed of 10 inkblots designed by Herman
Rorschach that seeks to identify people’s inner feelings
by analyzing their interpretations of the blots.
Rorschach’s test attempts to measure personality
using unconscious reactions to the images.

65. Rorschach Inkblot Test – CONTENT
name or class of objects used in responses.
 Whole Human (H)
 Human Detail (Hd)
 Animal Detail (Ad)
 Nature (Na)
Highly atypical responses are notable since they might indicate disturbances in thought pattern

66. Rorschach Inkblot Test – Location
refers to how much of the inkblot is used to answer the question.
• “D” if a commonly described part of the blot was used.
• “Dd” if an uncommonly described or unusual detail was used.
• “S” if the white space in the background was used.
• “W” if the whole inkblot was used to answer the question.

67. Rorschach Inkblot Test –
Determinants
There are six broad categories of inkblot determinants one could
be responding to:
 Color
 Form
 Movement
 Pairs and Reflections
 Shading

68. Sentence Completion Test
• Sentence Completion
 Examples of sentence completion
 I wish .
 I love .
 A husband should .
 My nerves are made of .
 I hate .

69. Other Assessment Techniques
• Story Completion
• Picture Completion
• Word Association
• ….

70. INTEGRATED PERSONALITY –
INTRO
• Personality is inclusive of everything about
your physique, socio-emotional and personal
characteristics.
• Physical, mental (cognitive), emotional, moral
and social are the different aspects of
personality development.
• Each aspect is dependent on others and in
turn influences one another. All the aspects
are interrelated.

71. INTEGRATED PERSONALITY
The very aim of education is to help a person
to develop a proper co-ordination and
harmony among the various faculties of the
body, mind and spirit for an all round
development or in other words development
of a harmonious and integrated personality.

72. INTEGRATED PERSONALITY
Knowing and Accepting Oneself
with Concern for Others and
Right Values

73. Characteristics of Integrated
Personality
• Has insight and understands their
motives, desires, strengths and
weaknesses.
• Accepting their shortcomings and
drawbacks.
• Has a clear understanding of their
environment and influential factors.
• Has the capacity to face realities rationally
and objectively.

74. Characteristics of Integrated
Personality
• Has a sense of self-worth. Feels secure and
important.
• Has faith in their ability to solve problems
by their own initiative and efforts.
• Feels confident to face challenges and
utilize opportunities.
• Feels worthwhile as a responsible member
of the society.

75. Characteristics of Integrated
Personality
• Live in the world of reality rather than
fantasy.
• Has the capacity to tolerate frustration
and disappointments in daily life.
• Show Emotional Maturity in behaviour.
• Could distinguish between what is right
and wrong and has the will to do the right.

76. Characteristics of Integrated
Personality
• Has desirable values like Honesty,
Kindness, Justice, etc.,
• Concerned with the wellness of all and has
consideration for the needs and rights of
others.
• Good in getting along with people.
• Willing to give and accept affection.

77. Characteristics of Integrated
Personality
• Stable and Reliable.
• Has a good sense of humour and finds
positivity in every happening.
• Maintains good health practices like
nutrition, sleep, rest, personal hygiene,…

78. Factors influencing formation of IP
• Psychological Factors.
• Heredity and Environment.
• Family, School and Society.
• SELF

79. Role of Teachers in formation of IP
In……through activities and approaches.
• Physical Development.
• Cognitive Development.
• Emotional Development
• Moral Development
• Social Development