1. Personality

2. Personality
Persona

3. Personality
The dynamic and organized set of characteristics possessed by a person that uniquely influences his or her cognitions, motivations, and
behaviors in various
situations

4. Personality Psychology
The field within psychology which studies individuals and how they are:
Like every other human
Like no other human

5. Historical Ideas Hippocrates (460 – 380 BC) Plato (427 – 347 BC)
Aristotle (384 – 322 BC)
Galen (130 – 200 BC)
Machiavelli (1469 – 1527)
Descartes ( )

6. 4 Humors Character Humor Fluid Corresponding Trait in the Big 5
Irritable
Choleric:
Angry
yellow bile
Agreeableness
Depressed
Melancholic:
black bile
Neuroticism
Optimistic
Sanguine:
Content & Cheerful
blood
Openness to experience
Calm
Phlegmatic:
Slow moving & Impassive
phlegm

7. Issues Around Personality Theory
Dynamic Issues:
Individual Disposition
How are we the same or different
Determinism vs. Free Will
Locus of Control
Adaptation and Adjustment
How do people adapt to life’s demands?
Cognitive Processes
Do our thoughts affect our personality?
Unconscious vs. Conscious
Culture/Society
How does culture/society influence our functioning?
Does our culture’s/society’s expectations for men and women have affect?
Cultural Determinism vs. Cultural Transcendence

8. Cultural Influences Personal Ads from US Newspaper:
28 SWM, 6’1”, 160 lbs. Handsome, artistic, ambitious, seeks attractive WF, 24-29, for friendship, romance, and permanent partnership.
Very attractive, independent, SWF, 29, 5’6”, 110 lbs., loves fine dining, the theater, gardening and quiet evenings at home. In search of handsome SWM with similar interests
Personal Ads from the India Tribune, an American newspaper for immigrant families from India
Gujarati Vaishnav parents invite correspondence from never married Gujarati well settled, preferably green card holder from respectable family for green card holder daughter 29 years, 5’4”, good looking, doing CPA.
Gujarati Brahmin family invites correspondence from a well cultured, beautiful Gujarati girl for 29 years, 5’8”, 145 lobs. handsome looking, well settled boy

9. Issues Around Personality Theory
Developmental Influences
Biological Influences
Is personality inherited?
Child Development
Does childhood experience effect personality?
Adult Development
What experiences in adulthood influence personality?