Concept and Nature of Personality:
Thus,
any description of an individual’s personality must into account his
appearance, abilities, motives, emotional reactions, his values and attitudes
and his distinctive traits (or characteristics).
If we
talk about psychologists’ point of view, they, while defining personality,
employ indispensable ideas of integration
and uniqueness. Personality
invariably signifies the functioning of the whole person and the unique
organization of the individual that distinguishes him from his fellows.
According
to Allport, “Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of
those psychobiological systems which determine his unique adjustment to the
environment”.
Guilford
defines personality as an individual’s unique pattern traits. Guilford, like
Allport, stresses the integration of traits when he discusses the individual’s
pattern of traits.
By
trait, Guilford means any distinguishable, relatively enduring way in which one
individual differs from others.
Thus, the term "personality trait" refers
to enduring personal characteristics that are revealed in a particular pattern
of behavior in a variety of situations.
Guilford
groups traits into seven modalities or classes. These modalities or traits are
as follows: interest, attitude, needs, temperament, aptitude, morphology or the
body structure, and physiology (basic bodily functions).
Characteristics of Mature Personality:
The young
individual with immature personality gradually grows into a mature adult
through successive stages of development.
In order
to understand the characteristics of mature personality, it is advisable to compare
the behavior patters of infants and adults:
The infant
is passive, whereas the adult shows increasing activity. The mature adult shows
self-initiative and possesses self-determination for various activities
relating to his life.
The infant
is dependent upon others to meet his basic needs. In contrast, the adult is
relatively independent of others. Relative independence means to stand on one’s
own fee. The mature adult develops his own sets of behavior and his behavior is
no longer determined by his family as in case of an infant.
The infant
is capable of behaving only in a few ways. But the adult is capable of behaving
in many different ways in a particular situation.
The infant
has erratic, casual, shallow and quickly-dropped interest interests. But the
adult has deeper interests. Mature personality is characterized by an endless
series of challenges, and the reward comes from doing something for its own
sake.
The infant
possesses a short-time perspective. His behavior is determined largely by the
present. But the mature adult possesses a much longer time perspective. His behavior
is determined by the past experiences and future consequences.
The infant
occupies a subordinate position in the family and the society. But the mature
person aspires to occupy an equal and/or superior position relative to others.
The infant
lacks awareness of self. But the adult is conscious of his self—his abilities
and limitations, integrity and worth.
There is
an extension of the sense of self that grows with experience until the welfare
of others becomes as important as one’s own.
The mature
personality is capable of intimacy and compassion. The adult possesses a
capacity for love and also a respect for the worth and dignity of others.
Emotional
security characterizes the mature personality. There is a growing ability to
tolerate frustration and to express convictions and feelings with consideration
for others.
Mature persons
know themselves. They possess self insight.
Mature persons
have a clear comprehension of life’s purposes. They develop a philosophy of
life.
