Introduction to

PERSONALITY
MODULE –I
PERSONALITY

We w i l l s t u d y t h e -

MEANING & DEFINITION.

TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS ).

D E T E R M I N A N T S O F P E R S O N A L I T Y.

I M P O R TA N C E O F P E R S O N A L I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T.

PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT AS A PROCESS.

PERSONALITY- MEANING:
PERSONALITY- MEANING:
PERSONALITY- MEANING:

A person’s personality is defined by their

characteristics, behaviors, thoughts, and feelings.

These aspects start developing during childhood,

and are strengthened and molded as the person grows
into adulthood.

It is the totality of the person and not merely external

looks, but character, behavioral traits and attitude towards
life.
PERSONALITY- MEANING:

A very important thing you need to remember is

that your personality, regardless of what it is now,
can develop and evolve.
The significance of this understanding is that you
can still do something about your personality today,
which means that if you think your personality needs
to be changed or improved, then you can make this
happen.
 PERSONALITY- MEANING:
To sum up we would say that:
 Personality is not related to bodily structure alone. It includes both
structure and dynamics
 Personality is an indivisible unit.

 Personality is neither good nor bad.

 Every personality is unique.

 Personality is acquired.

 Personality is not a mysterious phenomenon.

 Personality refers to persistent qualities of the individual. It
expresses consistency and regularly.
 Personality is influenced by social interaction. It is defined in terms
of behavior.
TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )

It is about the five abstract personality dimensions in which,

most personality traits are represented. Include:

1. Openness to experience.
2. Conscientiousness.
3. Extroversion.
4. Agreeableness.
5. Neuroticism / Emotional stability.
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )

1) Openness to Experience:
(Inventive/Curious Vs. Consistent/Cautious).

Appreciation for art, emotion, adventure, unusual ideas,

curiosity, and variety of experience.

Openness reflects the degree of intellectual curiosity, creativity and

a preference for novelty and variety a person has.
 Refers to the extent that people are

sensitive, flexible, creative & curious.

 Those with low in this dimension tend to be more resistant to

change, less to open to new ideas & more fixed in their own ways.
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )

1) Openness to Experience:
(Inventive/Curious Vs. Consistent/Cautious).
Sample items
 I have excellent ideas.
 I use difficult words.
 I am full of ideas.
 I am quick to understand things.
 I am not interested in abstraction. (reversed)
 I do not have a good imagination. (reversed)
 I have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. (reversed)
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )

2) Conscientiousness: (Efficient/Organized Vs. Easy-
going/Careless).
A tendency to be organized and dependable, show
self discipline, act dutifully, aim for achievement, and
prefer planned rather than spontaneous behavior.
 High conscientiousness is often perceived as
stubbornness and obsession.
 Low conscientiousness is
associated with flexibility and
spontaneity, but can also appear
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )

2) Conscientiousness: (Efficient/Organized Vs. Easy-
going/Careless).

 Refers
to people who are careful,
dependable & self-disciplined.

 Also include the will to achieve

(not the need for achievement).

 People with low conscientiousness tend to be

careless, less thorough, more disorganized &
irresponsible.
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )

2) Conscientiousness: (Efficient/Organized Vs. Easy-
going/Careless).
Sample items
 I am always prepared.
 I pay attention to details.
 I get chores done right away.
 I like order.
 I follow a schedule.
 I am exacting in my work.
 I leave my belongings around. (reversed)
 I make a mess of things. (reversed)
 I often forget to put things back in their proper place. (reversed)
 I shirk my duties. (reversed)
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )

3) Extraversion:
(Outgoing/Energetic Vs. Solitary/Reserved).
Energy, positive emotions, assertiveness, sociability
and the tendency to seek stimulation in the company of
others, and talkativeness.
 High extraversion is often

perceived as attention-seeking, and domineering.

 Low extraversion causes a reserved, reflective
personality, which can be perceived as aloof or self-
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )

3) Extraversion:
(Outgoing/Energetic Vs. Solitary/Reserved).

This characterized people who are outgoing, talkative,

sociable & assertive.

The opposite dimension is introversion which refers to

those are quiet, shy & cautious.

Yet introversion people does not mean they are lack of

social skills, they are tend to be more inclined in

 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )

3) Extraversion:
(Outgoing/Energetic Vs. Solitary/Reserved).
Sample items
 I am the life of the party.
 I don't mind being the center of attention.
 I feel comfortable around people.
 I start conversations.
 I talk to a lot of different people at parties.
 I don't talk a lot. (reversed)
 I think a lot before I speak or act. (reversed)
 I don't like to draw attention to myself. (reversed)
 I am quiet around strangers. (reversed)
 I have no intention of talking in large crowds. (reversed)
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )

4) Agreeableness:
(Friendly/Compassionate Vs. Challenging/Detached).

A tendency to be compassionate and cooperative rather
than suspicious and antagonistic towards others. It is also
a measure of one's trusting and helpful nature, and
whether a person is generally well-tempered or not.
 High agreeableness is often seen as naive or submissive.
 Low agreeableness personalities are often competitive or
challenging people, which can be seen as argumentative
or untrustworthy.
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )

4) Agreeableness:
(Friendly/Compassionate Vs. Challenging/Detached).

 Include traits of being courteous,

good-natured, empathic & caring.

 Thus people with this traits are

labeled as friendly compliance.

 People with low agreeableness tend

to be non-cooperative, short-tempered & Irritable.

 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )

4) Agreeableness:
(Friendly/Compassionate Vs. Challenging/Detached).
Sample items
I am interested in people.
I sympathize with others' feelings.
I have a soft heart.
I take time out for others.
I feel others' emotions.
I make people feel at ease.
I insult people. (reversed)
I am not really interested in others. (reversed)
I am not interested in other people's problems. (reversed)
I feel little concern for others. (reversed)
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )
5) Neuroticism / Emotional Stability:
(Sensitive/Nervous Vs. Secure/Confident).

The tendency to experience unpleasant emotions easily,

such as anger, anxiety, depression, and vulnerability.
A high need for stability manifest itself as a stable and calm
personality, but can be seen as uninspiring and unconcerned.
A low need for stability causes a reactive and excitable
personality, often very dynamic individuals, but they can be
perceived as unstable or insecure.
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )
5) Neuroticism / Emotional Stability:
(Sensitive/Nervous Vs. Secure/Confident).

 Refers to people with high emotional stability are poised,

cure & calm.
 People with emotional instability tend to be depressed,
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )
5) Neuroticism / Emotional Stability:
(Sensitive/Nervous Vs. Secure/Confident).
Sample items
 I get irritated easily.
 I get stressed out easily.
 I get upset easily.
 I have frequent mood swings.
 I worry about things.
 I am much more anxious than most people.
 I am relaxed most of the time. (reversed)
 TRAITS OF PERSONALITY ( BIG 5 TRAITS – OCEAN )
To S U M U P -
DETERMINANTS OF
PERSONALITY.
PERSONALITY.
The determinants of personality can perhaps best be grouped
in 5 broad categories as –

1) Physical Determinants.

2) Intellectual Determinants.

3) Emotional Determinants.

4) Linguistic or Educational Determinants.

5) Cultural Determinants :
I. Social Determinants.
II. Familial Determinants.
PERSONALITY.

1) Physical Determinants :

 Body Build.

 Attractiveness.

 Health condition.

 Body control.
 PERSONALITY.

2) Intellectual Determinants :

 Memory.

 Reasoning.

 Learning.

 Deviant / unusual Intelligence.

PERSONALITY.
3) Emotional Determinants :

 Dominant Emotions.

 Emotional Balance.

 Emotional Deprivation.

 Emotional Expressions.

 Emotional Stress.
 PERSONALITY.
4) Linguistic or Educational Determinants :
 Attitude towards education.

 Readiness for school.

 Early school experiences.

 School subjects.

 Teacher’s Attitude and Behaviors.

 Academic and Extracurricular success.

 Kind or type of school.

 PERSONALITY.
5) Cultural Determinants :
I) Social Determinants –

 Early Social Experiences.

 Social Deprivation.

 Social Acceptance.

 Social Mobility.

 Social Status.
 PERSONALITY.
5) Cultural Determinants :
II) Familial Determinants –
 Emotional climate of home.

 Ordinal position.

 Size of the family.

 Family composition.

 Family roles.
 Deviant family Pattern.
 Solo family.
 Family with step parent.
 Disgraced / non acceptable family.
DEVELOPMENT.
A great overall personality is very important in the life of
an individual. Everyone is influenced by an attractive
personality.

Whether it is an interview for job or having a conversation

within your friend circle. Without influencing others you can’t
get success in today’s competitive world.

Now the time has changed. It is an age of competition and

economic revolution. The person having a good personality can
move through the difficulties with more confidence.
 PERSONALITY
DEVELOPMENT.
However importance of personality development includes:

1) Gives Confidence.

2) Improves Communication Skills.

3) Helps to Develop a Positive Attitude.

4) Makes you Credible.

5) Help You Build Strong Personal Relationships.

6) Your Personality Will Dictate Success in Your Career.

7) Personality Development Helps You Improve Overall.

PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT AS A
PROCESS.
A person’s personality is defined by their characteristics,
behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. These aspects start developing
during childhood, and are strengthened and molded as the person
grows into adulthood.

A very important thing you need to remember is that your

personality, regardless of what it is now, can develop and evolve.

It is never too late to change. No matter how young or old you

are, whatever level you may be in your career, you can still do
something to achieve a better, more desirable personality.
PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT AS A
PROCESS.
However few tips to improve personality include:

1) Gain Knowledge.
2) A Healthy Body.
3) Dress Smartly.
4) Speaking Style.
5) Leave Your Ego Behind.
6) Avoid Backbiting.
7) Think Positive.
8) Smile A Lot.
9) Help Others.
10) Be a Patient listener.