PERSONALITY

Personality

is the totality of
individual psychic qualities which
include temperament, ones mode of
reaction and character to objects of
ones reaction (Fromm, 1947).

Personality

is that which permits a

prediction of what a person will do in
a given situation (Cattell, 1950).

 Personality

is the governing organ or

superordinate institution of the body
in as much as it is located in the
brain. No brain, no personality
(Murray, 1951).

Personality

is the relatively enduring

pattern of recurrent interpersonal
situations which characterize a
human life (Sullivan, 1953).

 Personality

is a persons unique
pattern of traits (Guilford, 1959).

Personality

is a dynamic organization
of the psychological systems that
determine the individuals unique
adjustment to his environment
(Allport, 1937).

 Personality

is the more or less stable

and enduring organization of a
persons character, temperament,
intellect,
and
physique
which
determines his unique adjustment to
the environment (Eysenck, 1970).

 Personality

refers to the individuals

structural and dynamic properties as
they reflect themselves in characteristic
response to a situation (Pervin, 1975).
Personality
is the impression an
individual makes on others (Hall,
Calvin & Gardner, 1985).
Personality is the stability in peoples
behavior that leads them to act
uniformly both in different situations
and other extended periods of time
(Feldman, 1994).

Personality is the essence

or the uniqueness of
behavior.

ORIGIN OF CONSISTENT
BEHAVIOR PATTERNS:
1.
2.

Genetic genes definitely

influence personality.
Sociocultural

culture
strongly
influence
peoples
behavior (e.g. Socioeconomic
level,
birth
order,
race,
interpersonal relationships).

3. Learning certain behaviors are

rewarded while others are ignored;
those that are rewarded tend to
persist.
4. Unconscious Mechanism to
understand personality, one must
get to the unconscious mind utilizing
complex tools such as dream
analysis, free association, hypnosis.

COMMON METHODS OF
ASSESSING PERSONALITY:
1.

2.

Objective Test written self-rating

tests or inventory test, usually
questionnaires to be answered with
yes or no, and true or false.
Behavioral Method (conscious
manifestation) in the form of
interview (face to face conversation)
and life history (biography and
autobiography, diaries)

3. Projective Techniques the responses

manifest the innermost feelings, motives,
and conflicts of the subject. The most
common techniques are:
a. Word Association oldest method, the
subject is asked to respond to some stimuli
by stating the first word that comes to mind.
b. Sach Sentence Completion consists
of 60 incomplete sentences. The subject
completes the sentence with the first thing
that comes to mind. It measures 4 areas:
family, sex, interpersonal relationships,
self-concept.

c. Thematic Apperception Test

consists of a set of 20 pictures which
the subject use to narrate his past,
present and projected future.
d. Rorschach Inkblot Test consist
of 10 inkblot pictures which the subject
describes what the blot looks like and
what it might be, the responses are
recorded on 3 bases: location,
determinant and content.

e. Expressive Technique a type of

projective test that assesses personality
through self-expression. Examples are
the drawing test and toy test.
Drawing test (DAP) subject is
instructed to first draw a person, and
then a house, a tree, and another person.
Toy Test dolls and puppets are used in
play therapy to assess the childs
attitude towards his family, fears,
aggression and aspirations.

ERRONEOUS METHODS OF
ASSESSING PERSONALITY:
1.

First Impression may be based on

physical appearance, facial features or
expressions, mannerisms, style of
dressing, name, nationality, race, what
a person says, what a person does;
used to gain an idea of the observed
individuals pattern of behavior; also
determines what others will expect of
an individual and these expectations
influence his behavior.

2. Pseudo-scientific Methods
a. Physiognomy a method of
judging personality through the
measurement and study of persons
physical feastures particularly facial
features which are closely related with
personality traits (e.g. Distance
between the eyea, size & shape of the
chin, color of the hair)

b. Phrenology in this method,

personality is judged by the size and
shape of the skull which are then
translated
into
corresponding
characteristics.
c. Graphology this method uses a
persons handwriting to know his
personality; it is believed that general
penmanship and the way a letter is
formed
have
corresponding
personality characteristics.

FILIPINO TRIATS: THE ESSENCE OF

A FILIPINO PERSONALITY
1.

Smooth Interpersonal Relations

(SIR) the ability to get along with
others; good relationship with people
a. Pakikisama refers to the
yielding to the groups unanimous or
majoritys decision so as to complete
a task
b. Go-between the need for a
mediator or facilitator.

c.
Euphemism stating an
unpleasant truth, opinion or request
with beautiful language & a fine
manner.
2. Hiya inhibits self-assertion to
protect ones esteem, pride & dignity.
3. Bahala na attitude come what
may; one need not exert any effort
for the belief the God will take care
of everything.

4.

5.

Ningas
Kugon

refers
to
enthusiasm that is intense only at
the start but gradually dies down at
the end; it reflects the low
achievement motive that could be
attributed to child-rearing practices.
Utang na Loob reciprocity or debt
of gratitude is of primary importance;
it stems from a service rendered or a
material
gift
which
is
often
impossible to measure the debt.

6. Hospitality welcoming visitors

with warmth and enthusiasm at home
and offering the best to visitors
while denying the same to members of
the family.
7. Amoral Familism the tendency
to become individualistic and inwarddirected, hence, unable to see beyond
the family circle; strengthens family
loyalty and unity.