6 aspect of personality development?

Question

6 aspect of personality development?

Answer 1

Personality Development

From infancy through the life span, the development of personality is one of the most fascinating and important aspects of psychology. In the study of personality development, we have one of the best opportunities to look at the physiological and the psychological in their mutual influences. Some of the most important questions include

What have been the major influences on personality development?

What have been the influences of personal decisions and choices at important times in life?

In what directions will the personality develop if the person receives certain types of opportunities or setbacks; certain types of treatment; certain choices that require decisions or problem-solving?

My years of working with infants and toddlers have given me a view of the beginnings of personality. Watching development at any point in the life span is important; however, watching infants teaches unique lessons. For example, some of the major aspects of personality seem to be present from birth (or before). Many children are born with obstacles and hardships such as handicaps or difficult temperaments which channel personality development toward certain outcomes. The obstacles or challenges can include conditions as diverse as down syndrome, seizure disorders, or other handicaps. They can also include sensory hypersensitivities which contribute towards a fussy, irritable, disposition and great emotional stress in the early parent-child relationship. Such "physical" conditions do not remain purely physical. They quickly become part of the child's psychological, social, and emotional life. They become part of the child's expectations of self and others; part of the parents' expectations of the child; part of the child's inner life; and part of the child's choices to do some things and avoid others. Other events also join in the influences that channel personality and make it flow like a river through the life span. These events can include illnesses; loss of birth family and adoption; birth of siblings; and many more. Positive influences on this "flow" of development can include close relationships with parents; making a good friend; having a great teacher or role model; experiences of success in learning or sports; and many more.

Some developmental issues for the personality occur repeatedly in different forms, throughout the life span. For example, separation and independence is a theme during the toddler years; later when the child separates from home for a demanding full day in school; in adolescence when most children seek greater degrees of separation and independence from parents and other authorities. This theme continues throughout adulthood as well.

Adolescence is a critical period for personality development, when there is great capacity for growth and change, as well as risk that personality could develop in a negative direction.

A good evaluation of a person's development should include a formulation of how the child's personality has developed and is now developing. The initial influences should be traced as well as possible from infancy, along with the major events that further influenced development. The person's choices, especially in response to major opportunities and major losses or setbacks should also be discussed. A profile of strengths and weaknesses should also be developed. How the person handled each stage of development is also essential.

Evaluation of personality development requires several sources of information. A thorough developmental history must be combined with interviews (for children, play interviews). Reports from teachers, family members, or sometimes friends or co-workers may be necessary. Finally, certain types of tests can give essential insights into personality. Behavior questionnaires are important for their standardization. For older children, adolescents, and adults, self-report questionnaires can also be invaluable. Finally, the projective personality tests are essential for gaining insight into the person's inner life. They give insight into feelings about self; feelings about the self in relation to others; ways of coping with different emotions; and the person's typical ways of solving emotional conflicts and problems. The major projective tests use drawings, stories told to a standard set of pictures; and inkblots. When used by an experienced and skilled psychologist, these tests contribute greatly to understanding personality.