PSPD3
PSPD3
(Faculty E-Notes)
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UNIT - 3
1. What is Personality? 3
2. Personality Consciousness 3– 4
4. Personality Syndrome 6 –9
5. Symbols in Personality 9– 13
10. Conclusion 17
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UNIT-3
INTRODUCTION
Personality refers to the unique set of characteristics, patterns of thinking,
feeling, and behaving that define an individual. It encompasses a person's
emotional responses, attitudes, motivations, social behaviors, and how they
interact with the world around them. Personality is shaped by a combination
of genetic, environmental, and situational factors, and it evolves over time
based on experiences and personal development.
PERSONALITY CONSCIOUSNESS:
PERSONALITY PATTERN:
Personality patterns refer to consistent and recurring ways in which individuals
think, feel, and behave across different situations and over time. These
patterns are shaped by various factors, including genetics, environment,
upbringing, and life experiences. Personality patterns help form a person's
unique personality and influence how they respond to the world around them.
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Core motivations: These are the underlying drivers that shape a person's
goals and behaviors. Some people are motivated by achievement, others
by relationships, power, security, or creativity.
Response to rewards and consequences: People develop patterns in
how they pursue rewards or respond to punishment. For instance, some
might be highly goal-driven and respond positively to rewards, while
others might avoid challenges to prevent failure.
Attachment style: This refers to the consistent way individuals form and
maintain relationships, which may be secure, anxious, avoidant, or
ambivalent. It significantly influences interpersonal behavior.
Communication style: Whether a person is direct, passive, assertive, or
confrontational in communication forms a pattern in how they relate to
others.
Empathy and responsiveness: Patterns in how individuals perceive
others' emotions and respond to their needs—some may be highly
empathetic, while others might show less emotional responsiveness.
PERSONALITY SYNDROME:
Personality syndrome refers to a collection of persistent and pervasive traits
or behavioral patterns that deviate significantly from cultural expectations and
cause distress or impairment in various areas of life. It is most commonly
discussed in the context of personality disorders, which are diagnosed
conditions that involve dysfunctional personality traits and behaviors. While
personality syndromes are not necessarily official clinical terms, they are often
used to describe maladaptive patterns of behavior and personality that align
with personality disorders or other psychological issues.
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In this context, a personality syndrome can be understood as a set of
maladaptive personality traits that create difficulties in emotional regulation,
relationships, self-perception, and social functioning. These traits are inflexible
and usually emerge in adolescence or early adulthood, affecting all aspects of a
person's life. Here are a few concepts related to personality syndromes:
1. Personality Disorders
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Obsessiveness: A pattern of perfectionism and rigidity, where a person
has a compulsive need for control and order, often at the expense of
flexibility or creativity.
Emotional Dysregulation: A pattern of extreme emotional reactions and
an inability to manage emotions in a healthy way. This may involve
intense anger, sadness, or anxiety that interferes with daily functioning.
In some cases, individuals may exhibit personality traits or behaviors that are
dysfunctional but do not meet the full criteria for a specific personality
disorder. These individuals may have a "personality syndrome" in a more
informal sense, indicating problematic traits that could cause difficulties but
aren't severe enough to be classified as a disorder. This could include:
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Personality syndromes can overlap with other mental health conditions, such
as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, or substance use disorders. This overlap
can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of personality syndromes. For
instance:
SYMBOLS IN PERSONALITY
Symbols serve as expressions of identity, self-perception, and social standing,
and they influence how a person sees themselves and how others perceive
them. Let’s explore each of these symbols and how they contribute to
moulding personality patterns, as well as their roles in persistence and change
of personality.
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The concept of self refers to a person’s internal understanding of who
they are. This includes self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-identity. It
forms the core of personality and serves as the foundation for other
aspects of behavior and thought.
Moulding Personality Pattern: A person's self-concept significantly
influences their personality patterns, as it shapes how they view their
traits, values, strengths, and weaknesses. If someone sees themselves as
confident, for instance, they are likely to develop personality patterns of
assertiveness and sociability.
Persistence and Change: Core aspects of the self, like values and core
beliefs, tend to persist, but self-concept can change through self-
reflection, personal growth, or external influences.
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in how one is addressed can mark a shift in identity, such as a transition
from "Billy" in childhood to "Bill" in adulthood.
Age symbolizes where a person is in the life cycle and is often associated
with different social roles, expectations, and behaviors. People tend to
adjust their personality patterns in response to their age and the
responsibilities or freedoms that come with it.
Moulding Personality Pattern: As people age, their personalities may
shift to reflect maturity, experience, or life stage. For instance, younger
individuals may focus on identity exploration, while older individuals
might prioritize stability and wisdom.
Persistence and Change: Certain traits (such as openness to experience
or emotional stability) tend to change with age. However, fundamental
aspects of personality, such as temperament, often remain consistent
across the lifespan.
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who achieve professional success might become more assertive or goal-
oriented.
Persistence and Change: Success or failure can lead to changes in
personality patterns, especially regarding confidence, risk-taking, or
perseverance. A person’s perception of their success or failure can affect
their outlook on life.
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o Long-term habits or behaviors, like a person’s speech patterns or
preferred clothing style, often reflect deep-seated personality
traits that persist over time.
Change occurs when external factors (life events, new experiences) or
internal reflections lead to an adjustment in how someone thinks, feels,
or behaves.
o People may experience shifts in personality during significant life
transitions (e.g., marriage, career changes, parenthood).
o Therapeutic or self-development processes can also lead to
conscious efforts to change certain personality traits, such as
becoming more patient, confident, or empathetic.
PERSONALITY DETERMINANTS
Personality determinants are the factors that influence the development and
shaping of an individual's personality. These determinants can be categorized
into several key areas, including physical, intellectual, emotional, social,
aspirations and achievements, educational, and family factors. Each plays a
crucial role in molding how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.
Additionally, physical health plays a critical role. People in good health may
exhibit more energy, optimism, and outgoing behaviors, while chronic illnesses
or disabilities can impact personality by contributing to emotional distress,
social withdrawal, or, conversely, fostering resilience and adaptability. A
physically healthy body supports mental well-being, which in turn promotes a
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balanced personality. Physical conditions like hormonal imbalances can also
affect mood, temperament, and emotional regulation, influencing personality
expression over time.
Both physical and intellectual factors interact with other aspects of personality
to shape how individuals navigate their environments and relationships.
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An example of a social determinant in personality development is peer
influence during adolescence. During this stage of life, individuals are highly
influenced by their peer group, which can shape their values, behaviors, and
personality traits. For instance, a teenager who belongs to a group that
encourages academic achievement, teamwork, and social responsibility is
more likely to develop traits such as discipline, cooperation, and confidence.
On the other hand, if the peer group promotes risky behaviors like substance
abuse or delinquency, the individual might adopt traits such as rebelliousness
or impulsiveness.
Thus, social determinants like peer groups and cultural norms play significant
roles in shaping how a person’s personality develops and manifests in social
contexts.
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On the other hand, repeated failure to achieve aspirations may lead to self-
doubt, frustration, or even risk-aversion, which can impact personality by
encouraging more cautious or introverted behavior in the future. Therefore,
aspirations and achievements play a pivotal role in shaping personality, either
reinforcing or altering traits based on the outcomes.
As a result, this student may develop traits such as confidence, initiative, and
effective communication skills. The exposure to diverse perspectives in class
discussions can foster open-mindedness and adaptability, encouraging the
student to embrace new ideas and approaches. On the other hand, if a student
experiences a rigid educational environment characterized by strict rules and
minimal encouragement, they may develop traits such as anxiety, fear of
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failure, or reluctance to participate in discussions. This can lead to lower self-
esteem and hinder the development of social skills.
7. Family Determinants
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, personality development is a complex and dynamic process
influenced by a multitude of factors, including physical, emotional, social,
educational, familial, and aspirational determinants. Each of these elements
contributes uniquely to shaping an individual's identity, behavior, and
interactions with the world. Physical attributes and health can affect self-
esteem and confidence, while emotional regulation and social experiences
inform interpersonal skills and resilience. Educational opportunities foster
critical thinking and ambition, whereas family dynamics provide the
foundational emotional support and values that guide personal development.
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experiences, their personalities are not fixed but evolve continuously,
influenced by ongoing learning, relationships, and personal growth.
KINDLY NOTE:
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