Personality traits stand out

Personality is the characteristics and qualities of a person seen as a whole. Some people have an artistic personality. Your boss may have an assertive personality. Then there are people with a likeable personality. Sometimes we say, Mr X has a strong personality. There are personality traits and some people wear clothes that express their personality. When there is an excessive admiration of a famous person, such as a politician, a personality cult is formed.

Sigmund Freud, perhaps the most controversial psychoanalyst, formulated a comprehensive theory of human personality. Psychologists say that the depths of his analysis and range of ideas are yet to be rivalled. Apart from the dictionary definition, personality is the organised psychological and physical components of a person that create and determine his unique characteristics and behaviour. Although personality is closely connected with physical appearance, it has a mental element as well. For instance, when someone abuses us, we feel hurt. And it can affect our personality.

The same person may display different personalities at different times

The physical component of personality is adversely affected when we meet with an accident leading to brain damage. Such an occurrence can change our personality to a great extent. In other words, when the brain is damaged, our personality undergoes a sea change. Even a person who is paralysed can lose his personality.

Brain

It is our personality that determines what we do or what we say. What goes on in our brain shapes our conduct. On the other hand, it is our personality that makes us unique human beings. Even identical twins will not have the same personality. On a lesser scale, you may come across many people having the same name. However, all of them will have different personalities. Moreover, your personality does not change when you are dressed up for a function. With all your fine clothes, your personality traits will be visible.

Although personality is mostly connected to your physical appearance, memory too plays a significant role. If you lose your memory due to some disease, your personality will be adversely affected. In psychology, memory is divided into three parts: the conscious, preconscious and the unconscious. At the conscious level we are aware of what we do. However, our conscious awareness can be dominated or altered by what we hear, see or feel. The preconscious, on the other hand, is made up of ordinary memories. It helps us to remember birthdays, anniversaries and how to use a computer. A child who learns how to ride a bicycle will be able to do so even at the age of 60, provided his preconscious is not affected by brain damage or disease.

Memory

The unconscious appears to be the most important part of the memory because it stores all human experiences during a person’s lifetime. Sometimes, you may not be able to recall an incident that is deeply embedded in the unconscious. As a result, sometimes we find it difficult to answer some simple questions because we have no access to the relevant memory. As the mind is full of millions of thoughts it is not easy to sort them out quickly.

Your memory has an impact on your personality. For instance, if you are unable to recall certain facts and figures in the course of a lecture, others will have a poor opinion of your personality. Although forgetfulness is common in old age, if you keep your mind alert all the time much damage can be avoided. More than the conscious and preconscious, unconscious memories help us to build a unique personality.

Although people’s personalities cannot be put into water-tight compartments, psychologists have given us 16 personality types. You may have seen people who are very duty conscious. They are known as “Duty fulfillers.” Those who are quiet and reserved are “Mechanics” who are good at mechanical work. “The Nurturer,” on the other hand, is a conscientious person who thinks of others with a view to helping them. He avoids conflicts as far as possible.

Value system

“The protector” has a well-developed value system but remains individualistic all the time. “The Idealist” is a person of philosophical bent. He is interested in serving his fellow-men. Another type known as “the Scientist” has an analytical mind. Such people usually become leaders. “The Thinker” has a logical mind. Theories and ideas excite him. “The Doer” wants immediate results. Generally, he is not a risk-taker. “The Guardian” entertains traditional views. He values security more than everything else.

“The Performer” is a people-oriented person who lives for the moment. “The Caregiver,” on the other hand, is a warm-hearted person with many skills. “The Giver” is a popular person who is worried about what others think and feel. “The Visionary” is an intellectual who is good at a broad range of subjects. Finally, “the Executive” is an assertive and outspoken person who is born to lead.

Most of us are composites of many of the above qualities. As a result, we have different types of personalities.