Defining Personality: Consistency and Distinctiveness
If one has watched Steve Irwin on television, they would agree that it feels like he’s about to leap out right into one’s living room. Better known as the Crocodile Hunter, the Australian was notorious for his frenetic energy, the thrill of danger and affection for creatures that most would say are terrifying.
You need not have seen Steve Irwin in action to feel that he has an unusual personality as described by most people. He routinely went looking for situations that would give the common man, a nightmare – getting covered with biting green ants, swimming with sharks, grabbing poisonous snakes by the tail, which he does with boisterous enthusiasm.
The example of Steve Irwin points to the mystery of personality. While he could be found unusual in many respects, all individuals can be described in terms of characteristics that make up their personalities. But how does one describe personality? Is it developed over time? Are we all born with a certain type of personality or is it experience that shapes us into who we are?
Defining Personality: Consistency and Distinctiveness
Psychologists have been asked such questions from a variety of perspectives. The study of personality has traditionally been dominated by theories that seek to give an understanding of wide varieties of behaviour. Our discussion will reflect why a manager might concern themselves with the personalities of the individuals they employ and the general benefits of understanding their personalities.
When one says that someone’s personality is optimistic in nature, what exactly does it mean? This assertion indicates that the individual has a fairly consistent tendency to behave in a cheerful, hopeful way, always looking that the bright side of things. Although, none are entirely consistent in behaviour, this quality of consistency across situations lies at the core concept of personality. To be manageable, workers must be known; to be known, they must be rendered visible.
You need not have seen Steve Irwin in action to feel that he has an unusual personality as described by most people. He routinely went looking for situations that would give the common man, a nightmare – getting covered with biting green ants, swimming with sharks, grabbing poisonous snakes by the tail, which he does with boisterous enthusiasm.
The example of Steve Irwin points to the mystery of personality. While he could be found unusual in many respects, all individuals can be described in terms of characteristics that make up their personalities. But how does one describe personality? Is it developed over time? Are we all born with a certain type of personality or is it experience that shapes us into who we are?
Defining Personality: Consistency and Distinctiveness
Psychologists have been asked such questions from a variety of perspectives. The study of personality has traditionally been dominated by theories that seek to give an understanding of wide varieties of behaviour. Our discussion will reflect why a manager might concern themselves with the personalities of the individuals they employ and the general benefits of understanding their personalities.
When one says that someone’s personality is optimistic in nature, what exactly does it mean? This assertion indicates that the individual has a fairly consistent tendency to behave in a cheerful, hopeful way, always looking that the bright side of things. Although, none are entirely consistent in behaviour, this quality of consistency across situations lies at the core concept of personality. To be manageable, workers must be known; to be known, they must be rendered visible.
References: Weiten W. (2007) Psychology: Themes & Variations (7th edition), Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth Fincham & Rhodes (2005) Principles of Organizational Behaviour (4th edition), New York: Oxford Cattell R B (1973) “Personality Pinned Down”, Psychology Today, pp. 40-46. Personality Traits URL: http://wilderdom.com/personality/traits/PersonalityTraitsIdiographicNomothetic.html