Complimenting or criticising one’s personality is quite ubiquitous. This is because an individual’s personality is probably the first thing we notice. Personality, as per definition by the American Psychological Association, refers to a stable combination of behaviours, emotional patterns, interests, motivations, and values. All of these together, demonstrate how a person adapts to life. Understanding how our personality evolves over time can provide insight into who we are and build a greater awareness of what influences our traits and characteristics.
We at SoulSensei understand that personality development occurs naturally over time but can also be influenced or altered through intentional efforts. If you are drowning in questions like “what is personality development?” or wish to know what affects it and how it evolves, this is the blog for you. Here, we will discuss everything about it from A to Z, understand the importance of personality development, and learn how to enhance it through active efforts.
Understanding Personality Development
Before diving into the various types, factors, and techniques for improving your personality, it’s essential to first understand the fundamental question: “What is personality development?”. Personality development is the process by which a person’s unique behavioural and cognitive patterns develop and evolve over the course of their lives. Consider it a journey in which people’s attitudes, behaviours, and psychological processes alter in reaction to changing circumstances, helping them gain a better understanding of themselves and their actions. This metamorphosis shapes our personality by incorporating both inborn traits and learned cognitive and behavioural patterns. The importance of personality development lies in many facets of life, including self-confidence, professional development, interpersonal connections, and adaptability.
Exploring Different Theories of Personality Development
Now that you know what personality development is, it’s time to learn about its different types. We understand that our personality is what makes us unique, but understanding how it develops can provide deeper insights. Several prominent thinkers have formulated theories to describe the various stages and processes involved in personality development. These theories encompass cognitive, social, and moral aspects, offering a comprehensive view of how our personality forms and evolves over time. Let’s explore these theories about personality development in detail below:
Structural Model of Personality by Sigmund Freud
Other than working on the theory of how personality developed through childhood, Sigmund Freud also crafted a framework about how overall personality is structured. According to him, the libido is the fundamental driving factor behind personality and behaviour. This libidinal energy sustains the three elements of personality:
- The id: This aspect of personality is present from birth and drives people to meet their most basic needs and desires.
- The ego: This aspect of personality manages the id’s desires and forces it to behave more realistically.
- The superego: This aspect of personality comprises all the values, morals and ideals ingrained in a person by their parents and culture.
Freud believed that complex human behaviours are created by the interaction of these three components of personality.
Personality development theories aim to explain how individuals develop specific traits and characteristics. While there are other alternatives, most personality traits may be classified into five fundamental categories known as the “Big Five”:
- Openness: Creativity and responsiveness to change
- Conscientiousness: Organisation and attention to detail
- Extraversion: Sociability and emotional expressiveness
- Agreeableness: Interest in others and cooperativeness
- Neuroticism: Emotional stability and moodiness
Key Factors Influencing Personality Development
Now that you are versed in the various theories on the subject, you might be keen to learn how to develop personality. While this is essential it is also crucial to recognise the factors that influence personality development before moving forward.
1. The Environmental Factor
Our family, the surroundings we live or grow up in, and the things we hear or see around us can all impact personality development. A person who is born and brought up in a joint family might be great at sharing, while someone with a family of artists may be more about creativity.
2. The Genetic Factor
We inherit certain personality traits from our parents just like our hair or eye colours. Things like our calmness or liking can be passed onto us by our mother or father.
3. The Experience Factor
The highs and lows in life are both unpredictable and inevitable, but how we choose to deal with them can make a significant difference. These events not only shape our lives, but they also help us learn, grow, and discover ourselves.
4. The Learning Factor
Our education enables us to become smarter, solve problems, and even contribute to our confidence.
5. The Social Factor
The people surrounding us impact our behaviour, offer us a new perspective, and even make us want to try new things.
Effective Strategies for Enhancing Personality Development
Learning how to develop a personality can bring significantly positive changes to your life. Here are a few tips to enhance your personality:
1. Recognise Your Current Traits
Both self-awareness and reflection are critical aspects of personality development. Start by recognising your personality traits, strengths, and even shortcomings. You will likely be unable to focus your efforts unless you know which traits require improvement. A personality test can help assess your present traits and discover one or two areas for improvement.
2. Identify Your Core Values
Recognising the values most important to you will help prioritise your goals. It will also help reflect on how your actions and behaviour align with your goals and values.
3. Commit to a Goal Every Day
Setting and committing to a personality development goal, no matter how big or small, every single day can help you get on track.
4. Embrace Positivity
A positive mindset will help you understand that personality can evolve as times pass, allowing you to grow through difficult times, learn from your failures, and view setbacks as opportunities. This helps enhance the personality development process and helps you focus on the good over the bad.
5. Be Confident in Your Journey
Changing your personality might sound challenging, but if you are confident, you can venture outside of your comfort zone and experience a gradual improvement in life.
We hope this blog provides you with a comprehensive insight into your personality traits and how you can enhance your personal development. Stay tuned to find your true self with us at SoulSensei.
Sources
- Cherry, K. (2020). The Psychology of Personality Formation. [online] Verywell Mind.
- TheKnowledgeAcademy (n.d.). What is Personality Development and Why Is It Important? [online] www.theknowledgeacademy.com.
- American Psychological Association (2018). personality. [online] APA Dictionary of Psychology.
