Define Determinants of Personality. What are the factors affecting them?

 

Determinants of personality?

Meaning- Personality is the psychological system's dynamic organisation within a person that determines his individual responses to the environment. Personality refers to how an individual responds to their surroundings and how they adjust to their surroundings. Although the term "personality" is commonly used, there is no universal agreement on what it means.

Definition-

According to Fred Luthans,” Personality means how people affect others and how they understand and view themselves as well as those patterns of inner and outer measurable traits and the person situation intervention.”

There is different definition given by different scholars.

Determinants of personality-

1.       Biological Factors- The biological factors consist of the following-

(i)                  Heredity- The idea that genetics affects personality is deeply ingrained in our minds. We often use the terms "Like father, like son" and "Like mother, like daughter" in our daily lives. When we use these terms, we're talking about physical characteristics like eye color, hair color, height, temperament, activity level, IQ, reflexes, and so on. The importance of heredity, on the other hand, varies from one personality feature to the next.

(ii)                Brain- The brain is the second biological factor that influences personality. It is crucial in determining one's personality. Electrical brain stimulation and split-brain psychology studies suggest that a closer look at the brain could lead to a better understanding of human nature and behavior. Pain and pleasure are linked in the human brain. These claims are supported by research.

(iii)              Biofeedback- It's the third biological way to finding out who you are. Biological elements such as brainwave patterns, blood pressure, and skin temperature were uncontrollable. Individuals can learn the intrinsic rhythms of a particular field for this purpose.

(iv)              Physical Features- Physical appearance is also an important factor in determining one's personality. Physical appearance has a significant impact on how people are seen by others. Whether one is short, tall, skinny, chubby, black, or white, one's appearance has an impact on others, which in turn has an impact on one's self-concept. Height, skin tone, weight, hair colour, and beauty are examples of physical characteristics.

2. Environment Factors- These are four important environmental factors which are as follows-

(i)                  Culture-Almost often, the culture in which one lives involves-

·       Traditional practices

·       Norms

·       Customs

·       Procedure

·       Rules and regulations

·       Precedents

·       Values

All of these factors have a significant role in determining one's personality.

(ii)                Family- A person's immediate family is one of the most essential determinants of their personality. In the early stages of life, a person's behaviour is influenced by his or her family. The following considerations will determine the nature of such influence:

·       Economic level of the family

·       Birth Order

·       Religion

·       Family Size

·       Race

·       Parent’s Education level

·       Geographical Location

Every child aims to identify with someone in the family who he thinks to be ideal. In general, a child in a household wants to copy his father or mother's behavior.

(iii)              Social- Socialisation is the process by which a child acquires, from the wide range of behavioural possibilities available to him at birth, those behaviour patterns that are accepted by his family and social groups. Initially, socialisation begins with the infant's contact with his mother as he grows older. Every community in which a person exists has some standards and regulations. Respect for these norms and rules is at the root of much of the behaviour.

(iv)              Situational- Besides these components, the situational factor plays a critical role in determining a person's personality. A situation has a significant impact on the individual. It sets limitations and gives a push in particular situations; it is not so much the type of person a man is as it is the type of situation in which he finds himself that determines his actions.

Conclusion-

As a result of the above, we may conclude that there are a variety of personality determinants that have a significant impact on it.