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A pessimist is one who has been compelled to live with an optimist.
-- Elbert Hubbard
Personality is the characteristic behavior pattern of an individual. It is influenced by
genetic factors along with gender, family, cultural and environmental influences. Many
theories explaining personality and the development of personality have been formed:
Four Humors Theory: Developed by Roman physician Galen,
this theory states that the body produces four humors or fluids: blood, yellow bile,
black bile and phlegm. Blood causes a person to be cheerful and yellow bile causes one to
be angry. Black bile results in sadness and phlegm results in sluggishness. The ratio of
the 4 humor in the body will influence the personality of a person.
Constitutional Theory: Developed by America psychologist
William Sheldon, this theory states that personality can be classified according to body
types. An ectomorph, a tall thin frame with a large head is introverted and self conscious.
Mesomorph, a muscular, thick necked body are active, risk taking person. Endomorph, a soft,
round, overweight body is sociable, and fond of food, people and comfort.
Trait Theory: A trait is a stable personality tendency and
examples of traits include generosity, ambitious, aggressive, shy, and selfishness. These
traits shows up in people's behavior and is considered by some psychologists as factors
affecting personality.
Psychoanalytic Theory: This theory is developed by Sigmund
Freud. According to Freud, an individual at birth has no personality. Baby infants are
selfish pleasure-seekers and this drive is known as the id. As the infants grow, they
develop discipline and ideas of wrong and right. This newly found conscience make up the
superego. Between the primitive and selfish id and the superego, children develops an ego
or compromise.
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[Eve] - psst.. Hey, guess what
.
There is a special Drama presentation by Id, Ego, and Superego today.
Want to see it? Don't worry, we'll sneak out and after the show is over, we sneak back in.
Nobody will notice. Ok? Click here to sneak out.
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Learning Theory: This theory states that personality is a
consistent pattern of behavioral responses across time and situations. An individual acts
upon the environment and is reinforced or punished by the consequences. These consequences
will shape one's personality.
For example, a child tries to get attention by throwing a
tantrum and the parent pays attention to the child, then the tantrum is reinforced. In the
future the successful personality pattern, throwing tantrums will be repeated when the
child again seeks attention.
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[Eve] -
Now that we've learn about the different theories about personality, lets check out our personality!
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Let's go to Test Center!
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