The study of personality began in the 1930s, with Margaret Mead examining the patterns of cooperation and competition in 13 primitive societies. She discovered wide differences between males and females in their behaviors. Mead’s 1935 work Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies showed that gender differences in behavior do not necessarily reflect biological or cultural characteristics. Mead’s findings also raised questions about the relative roles of biology, learning, and cultural pressures in shaping human behavior.
Characteristics
A person’s personality can be categorized into five broad traits based on their behavior, thoughts, and feelings. These traits have been grouped by a statistical technique that groups similar things together based on how strongly they are related to one another. For example, extraversion has multiple facets. Among these facets is extraversion’s negative valence, which is the tendency to feel anxiety when surrounded by large groups.
Theories
Psychologists have a variety of different theories about the nature of personality. One of the most popular theories is the cognitive-affective theory, which suggests that personality is composed of different mediating units that interact with each other and with different situations to produce patterns of behavior that distinguish individuals. These mediating units may include psychological factors such as beliefs, expectations, and goals, as well as cognitive responses. In addition to personality, these theories also have some similarities, such as the importance of social interaction, self-esteem, and personality traits.
Tests
There are numerous benefits to using personality tests to determine whether someone is the right fit for a certain position. Using personality tests can be a useful way to avoid the costly mistakes that often occur when hiring the wrong employee. In service-oriented industries, dissatisfied customers can add up to huge losses. Even better, these tests can help you identify potential problems before they even start working. However, before you can start using personality tests for hiring, you should understand the differences between the various types.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of personality disorders vary widely. Most of these conditions are not physically harmful. However, they are highly disruptive to the lives of those affected. The early identification of personality disorders can help minimize the disruption to the individual and their family. In some cases, a diagnosis of personality disorder may be delayed because the person may not have recognized their problem. A person suffering from personality disorders may also be referred to mental health professionals by friends, family, or a social agency.
Treatment
There are a number of treatment options for personality disorder. Patients should take a structured approach to treatment, and their therapist should identify what they struggle with. Anti-anxiety medication can be helpful for anxiety or insomnia, but it may increase impulsive behavior. People with certain personality disorders should avoid anti-anxiety medications. Treatment may require hospitalization, but it is only recommended when an individual is unable to care for themselves or is a danger to others.