Definition of Personality

  • Personality refers to the unique and consistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish individuals.

  • It encompasses traits that are relatively stable over time and across situations.

  • Personality influences how a person reacts to the environment and interacts with others.

Assessment of Personality

1. Self-Report Inventories

  • Standardized questionnaires where individuals rate their own behaviors and feelings.

  • Objective and easy to administer.

  • Example: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Big Five Inventory.

2. Projective Techniques

  • Based on the idea that people project unconscious feelings onto ambiguous stimuli.

  • Useful for exploring deep emotions or internal conflicts.

  • Example: Rorschach Inkblot Test, Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).

3. Behavioral Assessments

  • Observation of behavior in controlled or natural settings.

  • Focuses on actions rather than internal traits.

  • Example: Recording social interactions or task performances.

4. Interviews

  • Can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured.

  • Allow in-depth exploration of personality traits, history, and behavior patterns.

  • Common in clinical settings.

5. Situational Tests

  • Assess how a person behaves in simulated environments.

  • Helps predict responses to real-life scenarios.

  • Example: Role-playing exercises or decision-making tasks.

1. Psychodynamic Theory (Freud and Others)

This theory says that our personality is shaped mostly by unconscious thoughts and childhood experiences.

  • Id: Wants immediate pleasure (like a spoiled child).

  • Ego: Balances the id and reality.

  • Superego: Our moral side (right and wrong).

  • Example: A person who avoids stealing because they know it's wrong—this shows the superego in action.

Key Points:

  • Unconscious mind controls behavior.

  • Childhood experiences are very important.

  • Uses techniques like dream analysis and free talking.

2. Behavioristic Theory (Watson, Skinner, Bandura)

This theory says that we learn personality through experience—especially rewards, punishments, and what we observe in others.

  • Classical Conditioning: Learning by association (Pavlov’s dogs).

  • Operant Conditioning: Behavior is shaped by rewards or punishments (Skinner).

  • Social Learning: We learn by watching others (Bandura’s Bobo Doll).

Key Points:

  • Behavior is learned, not born.

  • Environment is more powerful than inner thoughts.

  • No focus on emotions or the unconscious.

3. Humanistic Theory (Maslow, Rogers)

This theory believes people are naturally good and want to grow and achieve their full potential.

  • Maslow: People have needs in a ladder (food, safety, love… up to self-fulfillment).

  • Rogers: We need acceptance and love to develop a healthy self.

Key Points:

  • Everyone has potential.

  • Personality develops when we feel safe and valued.

  • Focus on self-love and personal growth.

4. Trait Theory (Allport, Cattell, Eysenck, Big Five)

This theory says personality is made of traits—stable qualities like being honest or shy.

  • Allport: Traits can be central (core), cardinal (very strong), or secondary (less important).

  • Cattell: Found 16 key personality factors.

  • Eysenck: Focused on 3 traits—Extraversion, Neuroticism, Psychoticism.

  • Big Five (OCEAN):

    • Openness (creative or curious)

    • Conscientiousness (organized, responsible)

    • Extraversion (outgoing)

    • Agreeableness (kind, friendly)

    • Neuroticism (anxious, emotional)

Key Points:

  • Traits are measurable.

  • Personality is consistent over time.

  • Useful for career or psychological assessments.

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