1. Unit – 6 Personality Book Code MB0038 Smita Choudhary 1

2. PERSONALITY Do you have any one???? 2

3. Contents Introduction Personality determinants Personality theories Achieving personality job fit Contents 3

4. Introduction The term personality has been derived from the Latin word ‘persona’ which means to ‘speak through’. The common meaning of personality is the role played by an individual in public. Personality is defined as “the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustment to his environment” ---- Allport (1937) 4

5. Learning Objectives After this unit, you will be able to understand – Personality determinants – Personality theories 5

6. Personality Determinants These are the factors that affect the personality development of an individual. Heredity The attributes of personality like physique, eye color, hair color, height, temperament, energy level, intelligence, reflexes, etc. depend on the parents of an individual. The heredity approach suggests that an individual’s personality depends on the molecular structure of the genes, present in the chromosomes. Environment Environment includes culture, family, social and situational factors. The environmental factors also affect the personality of an individual. These factors determine an individual’s views about life, both positive and negative. 6

7. Culture Culture determines norms, attitudes and values that pass from generation to generation. Every culture is different and expects and trains individuals to behave in a particular way that is acceptable to the whole group. People from different cultures have different attitudes. But, an individual’s personality cannot always be judged on the basis of culture because people from same culture may behave differently. Family An individual’s personality is largely dependent on his family. Family greatly affects an individual’s behavior especially in the early stages of life. The type of influence depends on social and economic status of the family, family size, race, religion, parent’s education and geographic location. 7

8. Situation Factors related to situation also play a very important role in determining the personality of an individual. Every person has different experiences in his/her life. Some of these experiences play an important role in determining an individual’s personality. For example – a deep shock or upset faced by an individual in childhood may change his/her personality. 8

9. Personality Theories William Sheldon, 1940’s William Sheldon (1940, 1942, cited in Phares, 1991) classified personality according to body type. He called this a person’s somatotype. Sheldon identified three main somatotypes. They are 1.Endomorph 2.Mesomorph 3.Ectomorph 9

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11. Somatotypes In 1940s, Sheldon proposed a theory about how some body types are associated with some personality characteristics. William Sheldon (1898-1977) was an American Psychologist who observed the variety of human bodies and temperaments. According to him there are three somatotypes: endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy. Endomorphy Focus on the digestive system, particularly the stomach (endoderm). Has the tendency towards plumpness (fatness), corresponds to Viscerotonia temperament tolerant, love of comfort and luxury, extravert. 11

12. Mesomorphy Focuses on musculature and circulatory system (mesoderm), has the tendency towards muscularity, corresponds to the somatotonia temperament, courageous, energetic, active, dynamic, assertive, aggressive, risk later. Ectomorphy Ectomorphy focused on the nervous system and the brain (ectoderm) – the tendency towards slightness, corresponds to Cerebrotonia temperament artistic, sensitive, apprehensive, introvert. 12

13. a)Endomorphic Body Type: Soft body Underdeveloped muscles Round shaped Over-developed digestive system Associated personality traits: Love of food Tolerant Evenness of emotions Love of comfort Sociable Good humored Relaxed Need for affection 13

14. b)Mesomorphic Body Type Hard, muscular body Overly mature appearance Rectangular shaped Thick skin Upright posture Associated personality traits Adventurous Desire for power and dominance Courageous Indifference to what others think or want Assertive, bold Zest for physical activity Competitive Love of risk and chance 14

15. c)Ectomorphic Body Type Thin Flat chest Delicate build Young appearance Tall Lightly muscled Stoop-shouldered Large brain Associated personality traits Self-conscious Preference for privacy Introverted Inhibited(Shy) Socially anxious Artistic Mentally intense Emotionally restrained(Reserved) 15

16. Cattell’s 16 Personality Factor Model Cattell’s (1973) is one of the most important personality trait theory, where the number of traits have been reduced. Cattell called these 16 factors as primary factors. Primary factors and descriptors in Cattell’s 16 Personality Factor Model are 16

17. Descriptors of Low RangePrimary FactorDescriptors of High Range Reserve, impersonal, distant, cool, detached, formal, aloof WarmthWarm, outgoing, attentive to others, kindly, easy going, participating, like people Concrete thinking, lower general mental capacity, less intelligent, unable to handle abstract problems ReasoningAbstract thinking, more intelligent, bright, higher general mental capacity, fast learner Reactive emotionally, changeable, affected by feelings, emotionally less stable, easily upset Emotional Stability Emotionally stable, adaptive, mature, faces reality, calm Deferential, cooperative, avoids conflict, submissive, humble, obedient, easily led, docile, accommodating DominanceDominance, forceful, assertive, aggressive, competitive, stubborn, bossy Serious, restrained, prudent, taciturn, introspective, silent LivelinessLively, animated, spontaneous, enthusiastic, happy go lucky, cheerful, expressive, impulsive 17

18. Descriptors of Low RangePrimary FactorDescriptors of High Range Expedient, nonconforming, disregards, rules, self indulgent Rule- Consciousness Rule-conscious, dutiful, conscientious, conforming, moralistic, staid, rule bound Shy, threat-sensitive, timid, hesitant, intimidated Social BoldnessSocially bold, venturesome, thick skinned, uninhibited Utilitarian, objective, unsentimental, tough minded, self-reliant, no-nonsense, rough SensitivitySensitive, aesthetic, sentimental, tender minded, intuitive, refined Trusting, unsuspecting, accepting, unconditional, easy VigilanceVigilant, suspicious, skeptical, distrustful, oppositional Grounded, practical, prosaic, solution orientated, steady, conventional AbstractednessAbstract, imaginative, absent minded, impractical, absorbed in ideas Forthright, genuine, artless, open, guileless, naïve, unpretentious, involved PrivatenessPrivate, discreet, nondisclosing, shrewd, polished, wordly, astute, diplomatic 18

19. Descriptors of Low RangePrimary FactorDescriptors of High Range Self-assured, unworried, complacent, secure, free of guilt, confident, self satisfied ApprehensionApprehensive, self-doubting, worried, guilt prone, insecure, worrying, self blaming Traditional, attached to familiar, conservative, respecting traditional ideas Openness to change Open to change, experimental, liberal, analytical, critical, free thinking, flexibility Group-oriented, affiliative, a joiner and follower dependent Self-relianceSelf-reliant, solitary, resourceful, individualistic, self- sufficient Tolerated disorder, unexacting, flexible, undisciplined, lax, self- conflict, impulsive, careless of social rues, uncontrolled PerfectionismPerfectionistic, organized, compulsive, self-disciplined, socially precise, exacting will power, control, self- sentimental Relaxed, placid, tranquil, torpid, patient, composed low drive TensionTense, high energy, impatient, driven, frustrated, over wrought, time driven 19

20. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Human beings are classified into four opposite pairs, on the basis of their psychological opposites. These four opposite pairs are – Extroverted or Introverted (E or I) – Sensing or Intuitive (S or N) – Thinking or Feeling (T or F) – Perceiving or Judging (P or J) 20

21. These classifications are combined into sixteen personality types – INTJs (introverted, intuitive, thinking, judging) are visionaries (Have innovative minds and great ideas. Described as skeptical, critical, independent, determined, stubborn) – ESTJs (extroverted, sensing, thinking, judging) are organizers. (They are realistic, logical, analytical, decisive. Like to organize and run activities.) – ENTPs (extroverted, intuitive, thinking, perceiving) are conceptualizers. (They are innovative, individualistic, versatile, and have entrepreneurial ideas. Solve challenges but may neglect routine task.) 21

22. Big Five Traits- Basis of an individual’s total personality and affect his performance at work. The Big Five Personality Model The Big Five Personality Model Extraversion Extraversion Agreeableness Agreeableness Conscientiousness Conscientiousness Emotional Stability Emotional Stability Openness to Experience Openness to Experience 22

23. The Big Five Model Researchers (McCrae and Costa, 1990 and Digman, 1997) suggest that five basic elements cause all other personality dimensions. The five basic elements are 1.Extraversion – It is an individuals comfort state with relationships. Extraverts are gregarious, assertive and sociable. Introverts are reserved, timid and quiet. 2.Agreeableness – It is an individual’s tendency to defer to others. People with high agreeableness are cooperative, warm and trusting. People with low agreeableness are cold, disagreeable and aggressive. 3.Conscientiousness – It is a measure of a person’s reliability. A person with high conscientiousness is responsible, organized, dependable and persistent. People with low conscientiousness are unfocused, disorganized and unreliable. 23

24. 4.Emotional stability – It is person’s ability to bear stress. People with positive emotional stability are calm, self- confident and secure. People with negative emotional stability are nervous, anxious, depressed and insecure. 5.Openness to experience – It is a person’s range of interests. Highly open people are creative, curious and artistic. People who are not open are traditional and are comfortable with the familiar. Research has proved that there is an important relationship between personality dimensions and job performance. (Barrick & Mount, 1991) 24

25. Locus of Control It is a person’s view about the source of his/her fate. According to Rotter (1975), internality and externality are two ends of a range. Internals believe that the result of an event is under their own control. Externals believe that the result of an event depends on external circumstances. The degree to which people believe they are masters of their own fate. For example, college students who have an internal locus of control believe that they achieved their marks and grade by their own abilities and efforts whereas college students with an external locus of control believe that they achieved their marks due to good or bad luck. 25

26. Individuals with external locus of control – Are less satisfied with their jobs – Have higher absenteeism rates – Are more separated from the work setting – Are less involved in their jobs as compared to internals Individuals with internal locus of control – Believe that organizational results depend on their own actions – Believe that health is under their control with proper habits – Are less sick and hence show low absenteeism – Perform better on their jobs – Make a decision after searching for information – Are motivated to achieve – Try harder to control their environment – Do well on complicated tasks – Want autonomy and independence – More suitable for jobs that require initiative and independence 26

27. Machiavellianism It is a person’s tendency to mislead or cheat others for personal benefit. This concept is named after Renaissance diplomat and writer Niccolo Machiavelli. People with high Machiavellianism are pragmatic, maintain emotional distance, and believe that bad or unfair method of doing a task is acceptable if results are good or positive. They are manipulators and win more. They are suited for jobs that require bargaining skills. Machiavellianism (Mach) Degree to which an individual is practical in his approach, maintains emotional distance, and believes that ends can justify means. 27

28. Self-esteem (SE) It is defined as the degree to which people like or dislike themselves (Robbins, 2003). People with high self esteem take more risks in job selection and choose unusual jobs as compared to people with low self-esteem. People with low self esteem are more sensitive to external influence as compared to people with high self esteem. People with low self esteem like positive evaluation from others. 28

29. Self-mentoring It is an individual’s ability to adjust his/her behavior according to external factors. People with high self mentoring ability are very adaptable. They can behave differently in different situations. Their personality in public and their private personality are very different. They pay attention to the behavior of others. These type of managers receive more promotions. People with low self monitoring ability display their true nature and attitude in every situation. Self-Monitoring A personality trait that measures an individuals ability to adjust his or her behavior to the situational factors. 29

30. Type A and Type B Personality Type A personality People with Type A personality are impatient, very time conscious, insecure about their status, highly competitive, aggressive and do not like to relax (Friedman & Rosenman 1974). They walk and eat very fast, are impatient with the speed of events taking place, try to do two or more things at a time. They measure their success in terms of numbers. They work under stress. They are fast workers and give preference to quantity rather quality, can work for long hours and are not creative. 30

31. Type B Personality People with Type B personality do not have desire to achieve a number of things. They do not show urgency of time. They do not show their achievements unless the situation requires them to do so. They can relax without guilt. 31

32. Achieving Personality-Job-Fit According to Holland (1997), if an individual’s personality and the work environment match, the individual will enjoy the work and grow in the career. If people who match organizational culture are hired, it will provide higher employee satisfaction and reduced turnover. Holland has proposed six themes of people and work environments: – Realistic – Investigative – Artistic – Social – Enterprising – Conventional 32

33. TypePersonality CharacteristicsCongruent Occupation Realistic – Prefer physical activities that require skill, strength and coordination Shy, genuine, persistent, stable, conforming, practical Mechanic, drill press operator, assembly-line worker, farmer Investigative – Prefer activities that involve thinking, organizing and understanding Analytical, original, curious, independent Biologist, economist, mathematician, news reporter Social- Prefer activities that involve helping and developing others Sociable, friendly, cooperative, understanding Social workers, teacher, counselor, clinical psychologist Conventional – Prefer rule- regulated, orderly and clear activities Conforming, efficient, practical, unimaginative, inflexible Accountant, corporate manager, bank teller, file clerk Enterprising – Prefer verbal activities with opportunity to influence others Self-confident, ambitious, energetic, domineering Lawyer, real estate agent, public relations specialist, small business manager Artistic – Prefer unclear and unsystematic activities Imaginative, disorderly, idealistic, emotional, impractical Painter, musician, writer, interior decorator 33

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