MINI

CASE
STUDY
Submitted by: Judelyn P. Cahucom

Submitted to: Mrs. Ruth Vidal

 INTRODUCTION

Personality is the coherent patterning of affect, cognition, and desires (goals) as they
lead to behaviors. To study personality is to study how people feel, how they think, what
they want, and finally, what they do.

Humans can exhibit varying personality traits under similar conditions (Grover,
2013). Such inconsistencies are not a sign of some underlying defect in the
fundamental structure of the human persona. As Charles carver and Michael Scheir
(2000) point out in their interesting book Perspectives on Personality, this behavior is
known as intrapersonal functioning. According to these authors, “personality is not like a
rubber stamp that you pound onto each situation you enter”. Instead, there are
mechanisms or processes that go inside you, leading you to act in ways you do. Such
processes can create continuity within a person, even if a person acts in different ways
in different situations.

Thus, the researcher of this study aimed to describe the personality of a person who
has distinctive attitudes. Furthermore, it sought to determine underlying reasons behind
this behavior and evaluate the different factors of their fundamental effects and
influence as the primary agent which prompt the acquisition of the behavior.

In relevance with the study, the respondent who goes by the alias Pariah is a
nineteen year old male student currently studying at a certain university in Bohol and
taking up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. He is the type of person who is a little
enigmatic and has lots of conflicting attitudes. His personality, is believed to be a good
subject for this case study.

During the interview, Pariah was able to answer the different questions. However, it
is very evident in the way he talk and his physical appearance that he is stressed and
pressured. Accordingly, it is because of the numerous projects and activities in school.
Aside from that, what makes it worst is their cutoff grade. Despite that, he is trying to
relax and set his mind in order to cope up with the different task.

As the interview continued, three key issues were found out. They were being an
introvert, afraid to take risk and being indecisive. The study focused on the first issue
which is being an introvert person because among them, it is the most observable
behavior of the respondent. Upon analyzing the gathered data, assumptions and
recommendations are made to further support and strengthen the claims of the study.
 BODY

In light of the interview, three (3) key issues were brought up which according to the
respondent made him who he is today. They were being an introvert, afraid to take risk,
and being indecisive which are caused by various experiences in his past and as time
passes by conditioned him. The three key issues then affect the respondent in different
ways. However, among them the most observable and affective is the issue on being an
introvert.

According to Carl Jung’s Theory on Personality, there are two exclusive behaviors
wherein a person seems to be energized more by either internal world (introversion
which the respondent possess) or external world (extroversion). Jung’s theory suggest
that what appears to be a random behavior is actually a result of difference in the way
people prefer to use their mental and emotional capacities, and people’s social
environment.

An introvert person is the type of person who generally prefers solitary activities
rather than interacting with large groups of people. Introverts are known to be
comfortable alone and tend to introspective by keeping their social circle limited
(Bradley, 2006). An opposite behavior to this is extrovert. In the Social Activity
Hypothesis, it was believed that extroverts are more sociable than introverts. Also, in
the study of Argyle and Lu (1990) extroverts are found to be less likely to avoid
participation in noisy social activities and more likely to participate in social activities
such as party, games, and jokes. However, a variety of findings contradict the claims of
this study. Srivastava, Angelo, and Vallereux (2008) found that extroverts and introverts
both enjoy in participating in social interactions and in general, both do not differ in the
quantity of their socialization. This constitutes to Carl Jung’s idea that what seems to be
a random difference in those behaviors is actually a result of differences of the people’s
mental perceptions and feelings, environmental and social interactions, and the
individual’s cultural differences.

Moreover, it was found out that eight years ago, Pariah’s family was running a
business in Manila which was started by his grandfather. Unfortunately, time came that
his grandfather died and none of their relatives continued the business. Since that time,
their family started to face lots of financial problems which caused him to sacrifice his
studies for one year. A year after, they transferred in Bohol wherein he has to make lots
of adjustments.

Unlike before that he used to spend his kindergarten and elementary in a private
school somewhere in Manila. When he reached high school, he was forced to transfer
in a public school which is very different in his schools before. Public schools are
crowded, and most of the students exhibit a total opposite behavior than those in the
private schools. At that time, the respondent cannot relate to the norms in his new
environment which made him decide to isolate his self from the majority. He preferred
being alone. Engagements such as attending to a party and social gatherings are toxic
for him.
 However, despite that, it paved way to the discovery of the other side of his self
which is his love for reading. Starting that time, reading already became his habit.
According to him, reading gives him a lot of imaginations which opens up for lots of
opportunities. Unexpectedly, despite of being an introvert person, he excelled in school
and became an achiever. He won different contests like the Regional School’s Press
Conference – Sci-Tech Essay Writing English Category wherein he won the first place
and the Division School’s Press Conference – Editorial Writing English Category where
he got the second place. Aside from that, he also became the top performer in school
and graduated with high honors.

Furthermore, gathered data were compensated for analysis and evaluation purposes
for the accomplishment of the study’s objectives. Based on the analysis of the data
gathered during the interview the following assumptions were made:

A. Family problems affect the personality of a person.

Early social conditioning patterns also play a critical role in personality

development. For children raised in a supportive and nurturing environments, the
prospects of venturing into the outer world are less intimidating. Love and
encouragement are vitally important ingredients in the formation of healthy and
balanced personality types. Unfortunately, the distribution of these ingredients is
not uniformly spread throughout the lives of young children. As Edgar
Friedenberg (1965) points out in his book, The Vanishing Adolescent, in their
encounters with society, youngsters are frequently badly hurt. They are sickened
and terrified; they feel their pride break, cringe from the exposure of their privacy
and are convulsed with humiliation as they realize that they cannot help cringing
because their responses are pretty much beyond their control. In response to
such in humane treatment, many youngsters have no choice but to seek refuge
and false security in the most remote corners of their inner world. Their eventual
personality type is, in large part, not of their own doing or preference.

In the case of Pariah, his behavior started when he transferred to a public

school because of financial problems. Thus, this indicate that family problems
affect the personality of a person.

B. Introversion has biological and genetic basis.

In the case of Pariah, his behavior occurred only on latter part. There is a
great possibility that this behavior is brought not only by external factors but also
internal factors such as genetics.
 A study by American psychologist, Jerome Kagan, linked introversion to
high reactivity in infancy. Four-month old babies were subjected to various forms
of stimuli, including new sounds, faces, and objects. Babies who reacted
dramatically to the new stimuli (crying, thrashing limbs, etc.) were defined as
‘high reactive’.

High reactive babies were found to have over-active amygdala. The

amygdala is the emotional center where the brain triggers the adrenalin response
to danger. Put simply, the high-reactive infants were easily over-stimulated. They
latter become quiet, careful teenagers – introverts.

Kagan’s study shows that introversion is present from infancy. It also

suggests that the nervous system shapes personality. Other studies of identical
twins provide further evidence that introversion has a biological and genetic
basis.

C. Introverts have high IQ level.

In the case of Pariah, he become a top performer student despite of being

an introvert. A certain study supports this. In Marti Olsen Laney’s book, The
Introvert Advantage: Making the Most of Your Inner Strengths, she talks a lot
about an introvert’s nervous system. She highlights research that shows that
introverts have more blood flow to the brain. Introvert’s blood flowed to the parts
of the brain involved with internal experiences like remembering, solving
problems, and planning.

Accordingly, introverts are internal processors – their thoughts are always

going, circulating, evaluating, and concluding. They may appear to be silent but
their minds are loud and active. Without even notice, introverts do not like
change. There’s always a plan, a focused set of goals to accomplish and it’s hard
to stray from those plans and goals without feeling uneasy and overwhelmed.
They also choose their friendships and time spent carefully. Usually the people
they surround themselves with are people of similar intellect and interests.

Moreover, to further support and strengthen the study the following

recommendations are made:

A. Introspect

Introspect means to undertake a detailed mental examination of your own

feelings, thoughts and motives. By doing this, you will be able to accept your
strengths and weaknesses. This will help you know your worth as a person.

B. Don’t compare yourself to others.

Comparing yourself to others is a sure-fire way to start feeling crummy.

Try to focus on your own goals and achievements, rather than measuring them
against someone else’s. Remember you are you. No one in this earth is exactly
like you. Therefore, you are a special being.
 C. Remember nobody’s perfect.

Always strive to be the best version of yourself. Success is not only

measured on the things you’ve accomplished, but on the amount of effort you’ve
put in order to achieve what you want. It is important to accept that perfection is
unrealistic goal.

D. Don’t be afraid of failure.

Life is not a bed of roses. As you continue your journey, you will eventually
face challenges that will tests how far you can go. Remember, you’ve got to
make mistakes in order to learn and grow. Failures are not made for you to
surrender, but for you to get stronger.

E. Do what makes you happy.

No matter how tiring your day is. Always spend time doing the things you
enjoy. By doing this, you will have a peace of mind which enables you to look at
things positively.

Humans are complex and unique due to its possession of various characteristics
and personality. This refers to an individual’s pattern of thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors that makes a person unique. This personalities are result of very powerful
innate influences such as genetics and external stimuli such as parental nurturing
behaviors and peer influences.

In this study, the researcher and Pariah have similarities and differences. While the
researcher loves to make friends and hang out with them, Pariah don’t. He prefers to be
alone by his self. They also differ in the way they study. The researcher prefers to study
in group where they can discuss and argue about the topics which they found quite
intriguing. Pariah on the other hand, prefers to do self-study where he can find peace
and better understanding of the lessons. With regards to the similarities, both have low
self-confidence especially when speaking in front of a large crowd. Both prefers written
exercises compared to oral. These differences doesn’t mean one is superior from the
other. Instead, this proves that each person is unique in his or her own ways.

CONCLUSIONS
 Everyone is unique in his or her own ways. Even twins have their differences. Each
one has their own story to tell which shapes them and dictate who they will become in
the future.

In life there are certain things that we do not expect to happen. These things may be
good or bad. Either way, one thing is for sure. They leave great impact in our lives
which then affect our personalities. In relevance with my study, the issue on being an
introvert person is affected by various factors such as cultural, social, emotional factors,
and environmental factors.

Cultural factors refers to the practices of the school where Pariah transferred. These
practices are new to him which needs his full attention. Eventually, it then influences his
perception of the world.

Social factors are the various socializing agents that surround Pariah identified to be
the teachers, students, and the people he interact with in his everyday life. These
people greatly contributed to the formation of the behaviors of the respondent.

Emotional factors refers to an individual’s own perception and feelings with regards
to certain behavior. This may include the way Pariah evaluated the practices and adjust
in his new environment.

Environmental factors are the factors that mostly govern Pariah as he grew up. This
includes the different financial problems their family have faced. Other than that, it could
also be the school policies, rules and regulations, and the schedules.

Among the factors mentioned, environmental factors greatly affect Pariah’s

behaviors. Family problems are the most common reason for an individual’s sudden
change of behavior. This change may be beneficial or it could be the other way around.
In this case, the changes in the respondent’s life is a balance of the positive and
negative effects.

At some point it is negative because it made him an introvert person. He somehow

missed to experience the essence of being a teenager. Aside from that it alienates him
from the realities of life. His perspectives are just limited in the four corners of his room
and in the contents of his books.

On the other side, these changes bring positivity in his life. Being alone made him
discover his love for reading. Going through over his books gave him companionship.
His imaginations enables him to travel to different places. He even met different people
in his books and build good relationships with them. Most importantly, reading opens a
lot of opportunities for him and boosts his confidence. It gives him something no one
can steal. It gives him knowledge.

One great lesson can be picked up from his experience. It is the essence of sacrifice
and never giving up. At some point in our life, we may face challenges but that doesn’t
mean we have to surrender. The same with Pariah, even if he gave up his studies
despite of all his ambitions in life he still continued dreaming. It may be hard for him but
still he chose to understand and adjust to the situation.

Although he is an introvert person, he proved to everybody that he can still excel.

Despite of all the judgments of people, he never doubt his self-worth. He always sets his
mind that he is unique and a special being. He gave respect to his self and believed in
his own capabilities.

Therefore, I conclude that we cannot really predict a person’s future basing only on
what we see. The same as the saying that goes, don’t judge a book by its cover. Pariah
may appear as weird for some people, but they just don’t know that he is exceptionally
intelligent. We may know the person by his or her name but we don’t know his or her
story. We may know what he or she has done, but not what he or she has been
through. What we see may not be actually what it is. Looks can be deceiving. There
may be a big reason behind those actions.