Personality Development
(AGEXT-121)
Personality
Meaning and Definition
The word "personality" originates from the Latin term "Persona," meaning "mask." In ancient
times, Greek actors used masks to conceal their identities on stage. This concept was later
adopted by the Romans to describe individuals who present a false image of themselves,
hiding their true psychological identity. From our daily experiences, we can observe that the
same person may display great happiness at a wedding and deep sadness at a funeral,
symbolizing the different "masks" they wear. While psychologists offer various definitions of
personality, they all agree on two key aspects: its uniqueness and its characteristic behavior
patterns. Personality is a blend of distinct psychological traits that shape an individual’s
behavior across different situations and over time. It is not a fixed trait, but rather a dynamic
quality that evolves through social interactions.
According to Watson, J. B (1930) “Personality as the sum total of activities that can be
discovered by actual observation over a long enough period of time to give reliable
information”.
According to Allport, G.W (1937) Before defining the term personality, he analysed 53
definitions already available for personality, on the basis of his analysis he defined
“Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of those-psycho physical
systems that determine his unique adjustment to his environment”.
Nature of Personality
1. Personality is what one is
2. Personality includes everything about a person
3. Personality of each individual is unique
4. Personality is dynamic and not static
5. Personality functions as a unified whole
6. Personality is the product of both heredity and environment
7. Personality is continually adjusting itself to environment
8. Personality is always striving for certain ends
, 9. Personality is self-consciousness means we do not attribute personality to animals
10. Personality is influenced by school environment
11. Personality is social
12. Personality is more than what we see on the surface
13. Personality can be assessed and developed
Type Theories of Personality
In earlier times it was practiced that the personality of the people is described in terms
of their body type, blood types, fluids in the body etc. Some important type theories are
discussed below.
Ancient Indian Classification (Ayurvedic)
In ancient India, Ayurveda categorized human beings based on the combination of
natural elements present in their bodies. According to Ayurveda, the entire universe, both
living and non-living, is made up of five elements: air, fire, water, earth, and ether (space),
collectively known as the "Panchamahabhutas." These elements are present in the human
body, though in varying combinations for each individual. Some people may have a
predominance of air and ether, while others may have a greater balance of water and fire, and
so on. These different combinations of elements give rise to distinct body types, each with its
own unique set of physiological and psychological traits, as outlined below.
Ayurvedic Classification of Personality type
1.Vata-Vata is the first category of the personality type described in Ayurveda. It constitutes
the body with the dominance of the natural elements such as air & ether (space).
The Physiological/Somatic characteristics of Vata are given below.
1. They are slightly built or considerably small body
2. Low chest width
3. Dull and dark hair, eyes
4. Dry, rough and chapped skin
5. Suffering stiff join, rheumatic problems and constipation
The personality characteristics of Vata type people are listed below.
,1. They are restless with active minds
2. Hesitant and emotionally insecure
3. Low memory, Depressed and reserved
4. Good artist and enjoy travelling
5. Solitary and rebellious
2. Kapha- Kapha is the second category of the personality type described in Ayurveda. It
constitutes the body with the dominance of the natural elements such as water & earth.
The Physiological/Somatic characteristics of Kapha are given below.
1. They are big boned and overweight people
2. White and smooth complexion body
3. Lustrous and wavy hairs
4. Wide and attractive eyes
5. Suffering from sinus problem, lethargy and nausea
The personality characteristics of Kapha type people are listed below.
1. They sleep more
2. Speak rationally and move slowly
3. Calm and loyal
4. Emotionally secure
5. Romantic
6. Seeing Sentimental dreams
3. Pitta- Pitta is the third category of the personality type described in Ayurveda. It
constitutes the body with the dominance of the natural elements such as fire & water.
The Physiological/Somatic characteristics of Pitta are given below.
1. They have average body type
2. Ruddy complexion and red hair with moles
, 3. Tendency become premature grey and bald
4. Sharp eyes
The personality characteristics of Pitta type people are listed below.
1. They are strong, argumentative and precise in their view and activity
2. Sharp and critical thinking
3. Have Good leadership qualities
4. They will be passionately angry at their worst
5. Enjoy sports, politics, hunting etc.
Hippocrates four Humours theory
Hippocrates believed that the human body is made up of four essential fluids, known
as humours, each linked to a specific temperament. These humours are blood, yellow bile,
phlegm (mucus), and black bile. A person’s personality is influenced by the humour that is
most dominant in their body.
Sheldon’s Classification (Somatotype/Body Build)
Sheldon (1942) described personality types in terms of their body build or
somatotype. He believed that physical structure of the body is the determinant factor of the
personality characteristics of the individual. He assigned each individual to one of the
following three categories based on the person’s somatotype.
Kretschmer’s Classification (Constitutional Type)
Ernest Kretshmer a German psychologist, who classified human beings on the basis
of their physical constitution. He attempted to establish a relationship between personality
characteristics and body build of the individual.
Trait theories of Personality
A trait refers to an individual’s consistent pattern of behavior that is displayed across
various life situations. It represents the general way a person behaves in most circumstances.
For example, if someone is inherently honest, they will typically respond honestly in
situations where dishonesty might also be an option, due to their honest trait. Other examples
of traits include being shy, lazy, dull, or dependent.
(AGEXT-121)
Personality
Meaning and Definition
The word "personality" originates from the Latin term "Persona," meaning "mask." In ancient
times, Greek actors used masks to conceal their identities on stage. This concept was later
adopted by the Romans to describe individuals who present a false image of themselves,
hiding their true psychological identity. From our daily experiences, we can observe that the
same person may display great happiness at a wedding and deep sadness at a funeral,
symbolizing the different "masks" they wear. While psychologists offer various definitions of
personality, they all agree on two key aspects: its uniqueness and its characteristic behavior
patterns. Personality is a blend of distinct psychological traits that shape an individual’s
behavior across different situations and over time. It is not a fixed trait, but rather a dynamic
quality that evolves through social interactions.
According to Watson, J. B (1930) “Personality as the sum total of activities that can be
discovered by actual observation over a long enough period of time to give reliable
information”.
According to Allport, G.W (1937) Before defining the term personality, he analysed 53
definitions already available for personality, on the basis of his analysis he defined
“Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of those-psycho physical
systems that determine his unique adjustment to his environment”.
Nature of Personality
1. Personality is what one is
2. Personality includes everything about a person
3. Personality of each individual is unique
4. Personality is dynamic and not static
5. Personality functions as a unified whole
6. Personality is the product of both heredity and environment
7. Personality is continually adjusting itself to environment
8. Personality is always striving for certain ends
, 9. Personality is self-consciousness means we do not attribute personality to animals
10. Personality is influenced by school environment
11. Personality is social
12. Personality is more than what we see on the surface
13. Personality can be assessed and developed
Type Theories of Personality
In earlier times it was practiced that the personality of the people is described in terms
of their body type, blood types, fluids in the body etc. Some important type theories are
discussed below.
Ancient Indian Classification (Ayurvedic)
In ancient India, Ayurveda categorized human beings based on the combination of
natural elements present in their bodies. According to Ayurveda, the entire universe, both
living and non-living, is made up of five elements: air, fire, water, earth, and ether (space),
collectively known as the "Panchamahabhutas." These elements are present in the human
body, though in varying combinations for each individual. Some people may have a
predominance of air and ether, while others may have a greater balance of water and fire, and
so on. These different combinations of elements give rise to distinct body types, each with its
own unique set of physiological and psychological traits, as outlined below.
Ayurvedic Classification of Personality type
1.Vata-Vata is the first category of the personality type described in Ayurveda. It constitutes
the body with the dominance of the natural elements such as air & ether (space).
The Physiological/Somatic characteristics of Vata are given below.
1. They are slightly built or considerably small body
2. Low chest width
3. Dull and dark hair, eyes
4. Dry, rough and chapped skin
5. Suffering stiff join, rheumatic problems and constipation
The personality characteristics of Vata type people are listed below.
,1. They are restless with active minds
2. Hesitant and emotionally insecure
3. Low memory, Depressed and reserved
4. Good artist and enjoy travelling
5. Solitary and rebellious
2. Kapha- Kapha is the second category of the personality type described in Ayurveda. It
constitutes the body with the dominance of the natural elements such as water & earth.
The Physiological/Somatic characteristics of Kapha are given below.
1. They are big boned and overweight people
2. White and smooth complexion body
3. Lustrous and wavy hairs
4. Wide and attractive eyes
5. Suffering from sinus problem, lethargy and nausea
The personality characteristics of Kapha type people are listed below.
1. They sleep more
2. Speak rationally and move slowly
3. Calm and loyal
4. Emotionally secure
5. Romantic
6. Seeing Sentimental dreams
3. Pitta- Pitta is the third category of the personality type described in Ayurveda. It
constitutes the body with the dominance of the natural elements such as fire & water.
The Physiological/Somatic characteristics of Pitta are given below.
1. They have average body type
2. Ruddy complexion and red hair with moles
, 3. Tendency become premature grey and bald
4. Sharp eyes
The personality characteristics of Pitta type people are listed below.
1. They are strong, argumentative and precise in their view and activity
2. Sharp and critical thinking
3. Have Good leadership qualities
4. They will be passionately angry at their worst
5. Enjoy sports, politics, hunting etc.
Hippocrates four Humours theory
Hippocrates believed that the human body is made up of four essential fluids, known
as humours, each linked to a specific temperament. These humours are blood, yellow bile,
phlegm (mucus), and black bile. A person’s personality is influenced by the humour that is
most dominant in their body.
Sheldon’s Classification (Somatotype/Body Build)
Sheldon (1942) described personality types in terms of their body build or
somatotype. He believed that physical structure of the body is the determinant factor of the
personality characteristics of the individual. He assigned each individual to one of the
following three categories based on the person’s somatotype.
Kretschmer’s Classification (Constitutional Type)
Ernest Kretshmer a German psychologist, who classified human beings on the basis
of their physical constitution. He attempted to establish a relationship between personality
characteristics and body build of the individual.
Trait theories of Personality
A trait refers to an individual’s consistent pattern of behavior that is displayed across
various life situations. It represents the general way a person behaves in most circumstances.
For example, if someone is inherently honest, they will typically respond honestly in
situations where dishonesty might also be an option, due to their honest trait. Other examples
of traits include being shy, lazy, dull, or dependent.
