Definition of Personality – Behavioral sciences explore the cognitive processes within organisms and the behavioral interactions between organisms in the natural world. It involves the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behavior through the study of the past, controlled and naturalistic observation of the present and disciplined scientific experimentation and modeling.
It attempts to accomplish legitimate, objective conclusions through rigorous formulations and observation. Generally, behavior science deals primarily with human action and often seeks to generalize about human behavior as it relates to society.
Definition of Personality
According to Munn NL (Psychology)
“Personality may be defined as the most characteristic integration of an individual’s structure, modes of behavior, interests, attitudes/capacities, abilities and aptitudes.”
According to Gordon Allport
“Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychosocial systems that determine his unique adjustment to his environment.”
According to Eysenck
“Personality is the more or less stable and enduring organization of a persons character temperament, interact and physique which determines his unique adjustment to the environment.
According to Morton prince
“Sum total of all, the biological innate dispositions, impulses, tendencies, appetites and instincts of the individual and the acquired disposition and tendencies.
Types/Classification of Personality
Types of Personality Based on Temperament
Hippocrates (about 400 BC), the father of medicine, classified people into four types as per temperament depending on which one of one’s bodily humors or fluids they believe to predominate.
a) Sanguine – cheerful, vigorous, confident, optimistic (blood).
b) Phlegmatic – calm, slow moving, unexcitable, unemotional (mucus).
c) Choleric – irritable, hot tempered (yellow bile).
d) Melancholic – depressed, morose (black bile).
This is similar to dividing people into Vatha, Pitha and Kabham in Ayurveda
Types Based on Body Build (Physiological Types)
1. Kretschmer (Physic and character),
2. William Sheldon (Based on different layers of skin).
a) Kretschmer (1925) divided people into 3 types based on body structure:
- Asthenic-introvert, tall, thin, sensitive.
- Athletic-active, aggressive, well-developed muscular body.
- Pyknic-extrovert, round and fat.
b) William Sheldon (1954) divided people into three types according to body build and behavior.
- Endomorph-plumb, soft, fat and round sociable even tempered and relaxed (like Santa Claus).
- Mesomorph-heavy set and muscular physically active and noisy.
- Ectomorph-tall, thin and flat-chested-self-conscious, shy, fond of solitude and reserved (introverts).
c) On the same basis, temperament too is classified into the following three classes
- Visecerotonic (endomorphic) – eating predominates They love comforts and food also seek love of others. They also sleep deeply. They like others help them when they are in trouble.
- Semantotonic (mesomorphic) – They have a brittle, clear, competitive nature and a generally powerful, daring, authoritative and loud talkers. In troubles, they are more active.
- Cerebrotonic (ectomorphic) – They are habituated in suppressing their emotions. They are self-controlled and withdrawing. They love solitude. Instead of seeking assistance in trouble, they keep to themselves. They speak slowly and their sleep is often disturbed. Although a person’s physique may have some influence on personality, the relationship is much more subtle. Research has shown little correlation between body build and specific personality characteristics.
Classification by Psychological Types
On the basis of sociability Dr Karl G Jung classified people into two main groups namely
1. Extroverts and
2. Introverts.
a) Extroverts are people who are sociable and take interest in others and like to move with people and are skilled in etiquette. They are friendly and sociable and not easily upset by difficulties. They are dominated by emotions, whereby they take decisions quickly and act on them without delay. They are realistic and face the problems of life objectively.
b) Introverts are those who are interested in themselves, their own feelings, emotions and reactions. They are busy in their own thoughts and are self-centered. They are reserved and like to work alone. They are very sensitive and are unable to adjust easily to social situations. They are inclined to worry and easily get embarrassed. Many poets, philosophers, scientists and artists belong to this group.
There are very few people who are pure extroverts or introverts. Majority of the people are ambiverts having the qualities of extroverts and introverts in different proportions.
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