Psychology studies not only the general laws and patterns of mental processes and states. We are all different, unique and inimitable individuals, therefore knowledge of the individual psychological characteristics of a person is no less important than the mechanisms and processes of the psyche that are characteristic of all people. This area is studied by a branch of psychology called differential psychology, or the psychology of individual differences.
How individual psychological characteristics of a person manifest themselves
Psychology studies the general and individual laws of formation and development of the psyche. By the way, they are studied not only by psychology, but also by philosophy and sociology. The first (general patterns), for example, includes the theory of age-related crises, the concept of psychological defense mechanisms. The second is ideas about the formation of individual psychological characteristics. What applies to them? Individual psychological characteristics of a person include temperament, character and its individual traits, abilities, and emotional-volitional sphere.
How and in what ways are individual psychological characteristics manifested? Yes in everything. For example, how we react to certain events or how we tell a story is directly related to temperament. Choleric people give in to emotions and gesticulate a lot. Phlegmatic people are reserved, pay attention to little things, and objectively assess the situation. However, we have already gotten a little ahead of ourselves. Let's look at each of the main individual characteristics in more detail, including temperament.
Interesting! The study of individual psychological characteristics deals with a special branch of psychology - differential psychology, or the psychology of individual differences. It explains why people behave differently in the same situations, why children with completely different futures grow up in the same conditions, etc.
Professionalism concept
In the context of considering the concept of professionalism, we will also consider the personal qualities that are necessary for a professional psychologist and which we touch upon in our study.
In the last decade, the problems of professionalism have become the subject of in-depth consideration in psychological science (E.A. Klimov, A.K. Markova, L.M. Mitina, Yu.P. Povarenkov, etc.), studies devoted to professional activity, professional requirements, professional selection and training, appeared in industrial psychology and related areas of psychology (works by V.A. Bodrov, E.F. Zeer, Yu.K. Strelkov, etc.). But in most cases, researchers limit themselves to studying a set of professionally important qualities (PVK), their formation and assessment. It remains not entirely clear what a person as a professional means psychologically. In labor psychology, the formation of individual professionalism is considered as a process of professionalization of a person.
Personality cannot develop in isolation from activity. Work accompanies a person throughout his life and determines his development. It is the process of work that makes a person a professional.
A person develops as an active subject from early childhood. And each age stage in a person’s life can affect the development of various skills and the person’s further training as a professional.
E.A. Klimov proposed a periodization of human development as a working subject.
The pre-game stage (from birth to 3 years) is the development of the functions of perception, movement, speech, simple rules and moral assessments, which become the basis for further development and human participation in work.
The gaming phase (from 3 to 6-8 years) - mastering the “basic meanings” of human activity, as well as getting to know some professions (playing driver, doctor, salesman, teacher, etc.).
The stage of mastering educational activities (from 6-8 to 11-12 years) - the functions of self-control, self-analysis, the ability to plan one’s activities, etc. intensively develop.
Option stage (from Latin optatio - desire, choice; from 11-12 to 14-18 years). The stage of preparation for life, for work, conscious and responsible planning and choice of a career path. Accordingly, a person who is in a situation of professional determination is an optant. The paradox of this stage is that an adult, for example, an unemployed person, may find himself in an optant situation. As E.A. himself notes. Klimov, “option is not so much an indicator of age as a situation of choosing a profession.”
Also, when a person develops and matures, is professionally determined and enters into professional activity, according to E.A. Klimov, he goes through the following stages, which characterize the degree of success of personality development in professional activity:
The Adept level is the vocational training that most school leavers undergo.
The adaptation stage is entry into the profession after completion of vocational training, lasting from several months to 2-3 years.
The trainee phase is entry into the profession as a full-fledged colleague, capable of consistently working at a normal level.
Master level - when an employee can be called the best among the ordinary and good ones, that is, he stands out noticeably against the general background.
Level of authority - the worker is the best among the craftsmen. Not every employee can reach this level.
The mentor level is the highest level of professional work. An employee becomes not only an excellent specialist in his field, but also a teacher who is able to convey his best experience to his students and embody in them the best part of his soul.
Mastering a profession does not happen overnight. A.K. Markova identifies the main stages of mastering a profession.
Adaptation of a person to a profession.
Self-realization of a person in a profession is the development of an individual professional norm.
Harmonization of a person in the profession - a person easily performs tasks using mastered technologies.
Transformation and enrichment of one’s profession is the level of creativity (at this level the individual style of activity plays a large role).
Multiprofessional stage - a professional goes beyond formal activities and increasingly becomes a mentor.
We proceed from the fact that professionalization is accompanied by changes in the person as a whole - the development of his individual, personal, subjective qualities, the formation of individuality. The result of the professionalization process is the development of professionalism - a specific quality that characterizes a professional person. In numerous studies devoted to the problem of professionalization, there is no strict definition of professionalism as a psychological phenomenon. By the term “professionalism” the authors understand a high level of success of a person in performing professional activities. Professional activity is understood as a complex activity that appears to a person as an established way of doing something that has a normative character. Professional activity is objectively complex and subjectively difficult. It is the complexity of labor functions for a person that gives the activity a professional character.
Thus, the complexity of the work, which dictates the need for long-term professional training of the subject, as well as the need to have certain qualities that ensure success in this activity, is the main feature that allows us to distinguish professional activity from simple work activity. In the process of professionalization of a person, a property arises and manifests itself, reflecting the degree of the individual’s ability to solve professional problems at a given level of efficiency, reliability and safety for a given time. This feature is individual professionalism. So, by professionalism we mean the quality of a person who performs complex work that is not accessible to everyone at a high level - systematically, efficiently and reliably. Acquiring professionalism requires appropriate skills, desire and character, a willingness to constantly learn and improve one's skills.
Temperament
Temperament is a type of nervous system, an innate characteristic. This is a set of psychophysical properties of a person that determines the specifics of performing an activity. Rhythm, speed, intensity of reactions - all this depends on temperament. Let's take a closer look at the types of temperaments, and then their properties.
Types of temperament according to Hippocrates
Hippocrates was the first to talk about temperaments. He identified four personality types based on which fluid predominates in a person:
- Holi (bile). These are active and sometimes fussy people. They are characterized by sudden mood swings and sociability, turning into obsession.
- Phlegm (mucus). These are calm, reasonable, slow people.
- Melan holi (black bile). These are pessimists, in a state of decline and characterized by indecision.
- Sangwa (blood). These are active and persistent people who always achieve their goals. Born leaders.
Since then, many studies have been carried out, different classifications of temperaments have appeared, but this typology is still taken as a basis. True, no one talks about the predominance of liquids anymore, and the names have changed a little. The study of temperaments is conducted around the reactions of excitation and inhibition. And the main person in this theory is considered to be I.P. Pavlov.
Temperament in modern psychology
In modern psychology, the following classification of temperaments is used:
- Choleric. Strong, agile, unbalanced type. They say about these people: “Starts with half a kick.” True, the choleric person cools down just as quickly. Moreover, he not only cools down, but forgets the reason for the quarrel, the unpleasant fact itself. Therefore, it is difficult to resolve disagreements with choleric people. Cholerics have leadership qualities, but lack of restraint and emotionality prevent them from achieving a stable result in life.
- Sanguine. Agile, balanced, strong type. The processes of excitation and inhibition occur quickly, but this does not affect the mood as clearly as in a melancholic person. Sanguine people are more into humor. They can be called easy-going. They are distinguished by high adaptive abilities, flexibility, and sociability. These are positive and active people who know how to find an approach to every person and have leadership characteristics. A sanguine person does not tolerate boredom and monotony. It is characterized by high speed and strength in performing activities.
- Phlegmatic person. Strong, balanced, motionless type. The arousal reaction is weak. Phlegmatic people are distinguished by restraint and prudence, which sometimes turn into tediousness. These are the executive and most responsible workers, but living with a phlegmatic person is difficult. He is stingy with emotions, does not know how to empathize, is cautious and passive. Does not like surprises, experiments, novelty. His restraint, resistance to stress and composure are sometimes mistaken by others for indifference. Phlegmatic people do not like changes in activity.
- Melancholic. Weak, unbalanced, mobile type. Like a choleric person, his mood constantly fluctuates, but negative connotations predominate. This is a passive, insecure, vulnerable type. Gets tired quickly and does not adapt well to changes. At the same time, these are the most sincere and empathetic people with a rich and interesting inner world.
Psychologists note that not a single temperament occurs in its pure form. That is, more often a person has 2 or 3 types mixed.
In addition, modern psychology relies on the typology of temperaments by K.G. Cabin boy. He identified two types: extroverts and introverts. The former direct their energy to the outer world, the latter to the inner world. Extroverts have a more acute need for social contacts and group work than introverts. The latter are prone to solitude. This is due to the fact that introverts have a higher sensitivity to external stimuli. Extroverts are more stable, so they need strong emotional influences to be aroused.
Interesting! There are other typologies of temperaments, for example, Galen’s classification, the theory of E. Kretschmer.
Properties
Balance, mobility, strength are properties of temperament. We have already mentioned this, but there are other properties. Let's look at them in more detail:
- sensitivity (sensitivity) – reaction to minimal exposure to a stimulus;
- reactivity - the strength of the emotional reaction to stimuli;
- activity – activity in interpersonal relationships, when performing activities;
- pace of reactions - speed of movements, speech, thinking, performance of activities;
- mobility (plasticity/rigidity) – speed of adaptation to changing conditions.
Let’s imagine portraits of temperaments through a table, where “+” is a high level, and “–” is a low level of some property.
Sensitivity | Reactivity | Activity | Rate of reactions | Mobility | |
Choleric | – | + | + | + | + |
Sanguine | – | + | + | + | + |
Phlegmatic person | – | – | + | – | – |
Melancholic | + | – | – | – | – |
In addition, when considering temperaments, it is customary to study concentration. Choleric people have slow concentration (distractable type), sanguine people have fast concentration, phlegmatic people have slow concentration, melancholic people have unstable attention (they get tired quickly, are distracted a lot).
Important! Characteristics of temperament must be taken into account during the learning process, during employment and when building relationships with others. The psychological climate in the family, work team, class, group depends on the compatibility of temperaments.
What it is
The personal qualities of people are the so-called personal “attributes” of a person, influencing all possible aspects of his life, from the choice of daily wardrobe to professional preferences. Simply put, these are innate characteristics and acquired character traits. Some personal parameters can be modified due to the influence of society and life circumstances, while others remain constant. There is an opinion among psychologists that most personality traits are formed in the first five years of a baby’s existence; in subsequent years they are only subject to adjustment.
Innate personality traits include various character traits. So, for example, Cattell counts among them intelligence, the peculiarities of the processes of memorization and perception, memory, musical or artistic talent, and the fundamental properties of temperament.
In turn, Jung followed a similar theory and divided people according to their main subtypes into intuitive, feeling, sensing, thinking.
Personal characteristics are especially influential when choosing a professional field. Most psychologists claim that a person who has an unsuitable character for a chosen activity will never be able to achieve success in it.
Moreover, each area of employment is characterized by a separate set of desirable personality qualities and undesirable ones. For example, a successful businessman needs the following “attributes”: hard work, independence, determination, adequate self-esteem, courage, responsibility, initiative, stress resistance and communication skills. In addition, such parameters as uncertainty, aggressiveness and tactlessness should be absent.
The teacher must have observation, an adequate level of exactingness, and tact. He should be balanced and attentive, but at the same time it is better for him not to have a tendency towards aggressive manifestations, not to be withdrawn, irresponsible and unpunctual.
All qualities inherent in a personality and revealed throughout its existence are connected in pairs. They have a positive component and a negative color in accordance with their orientation.
The basic qualities of a person show the specificity of mental phenomena, characteristics and states of a person, express his character traits, aspects of temperament, originality of behavior, originality of interaction with society, the environment, and his own person. Simply put, they show the individual psychological attributes of a person. Also, these qualities include the subject’s skills, knowledge and abilities.
A person who knows what personal qualities there are can identify them in himself in order to chart a course and ways of corrective work.
In addition, such knowledge will help to better understand loved ones, colleagues and simply surrounding subjects, will contribute to optimal interaction with society and the preservation of relationships.
Thus, it is necessary to know your own personal characteristics in order to understand how to further develop yourself. Whereas understanding the characteristics of other subjects is important for determining compatibility and suggesting what kind of relationships can be established.
Positive qualities are usually maintained and steadily developed; most people diligently try to get rid of or correct negative ones.
At the same time, the division of personal qualities into parameters with a positive color and with a negative component is very arbitrary, since it is based on generally established moral standards. It should be understood that the non-black component will not be white, therefore personality characteristics cannot be divided into good qualities and bad parameters.
Traditionally, the following are considered negative personal qualities: deceit, duplicity, irresponsibility, neglect, aggressiveness, rudeness, intemperance, laziness, sloppiness, rudeness, hatred, excessive selfishness, inertia, weak character, sloppiness, uncertainty, resentment, pride, cowardice, greed, coldness , indifference, excessive self-criticism, envy, vindictiveness, and many others.
The listed traits give rise to corresponding behavior. For example, a lazy subject is lazy in any activity, and an irresponsible person invariably lets others down.
The presence of the above negative parameters harms both their owner and society and close people. However, they are perfectly amenable to correction. With a little effort, you can improve your own life, relationships with loved ones, colleagues, and simply become happier.
Among the positive components of an individual’s personality are the following: kindness, compassion, empathy, hard work, responsibility, patience, peacefulness, diligence, friendliness, culture, morality, reliability, unselfishness, directness, truthfulness, confidence, intelligence, prudence, optimism, determination, cheerfulness , energy, accuracy, attentiveness, tenderness, caring. There are many more traits with a positive color than listed, as well as negative components.
The listed parameters with a “+” sign generate the appropriate skills and abilities in the work environment, personal interaction, and social life.
From the above list of qualities with negative and positive connotations, it is clear that there are traits that express a person’s attitude to society, work, the world, and things. This is because a person’s individual set of characteristics is found in everything, from his friendly relationships to his manner of dressing.
There are no people who are entirely composed of “good” qualities, but there are a huge number of individuals in whom positive traits prevail. At the same time, each individual has the power to minimize the number of negative qualities in himself, replacing them with positive antagonists.
Character
Character is a complex of acquired personality traits. Don’t believe those who say: “That’s my character” or “We don’t get along.” Unlike temperament, character can be changed.
First, let's define the concept. Character is a complex of stable personality properties that determine a person’s behavior and reactions and his attitude towards other people and himself. Now let's look at several character classifications.
Classifications
S. Freud, within the framework of his theory of psychosexual personality development, identified the following types of character:
- Oral. This is an irritable person prone to overeating, alcohol abuse, smoking and other addictions. Among people of this type there are representatives of two subspecies: passive-oral and oral-aggressive. The first are distinguished by naivety, suggestibility, and knowledge. The latter are characterized by cynicism, often show aggression, crave power, and tend to manipulate people.
- Anal. These are overly pedantic, secretive people prone to hoarding. As with the oral character, there are two subtypes: anal-retentive and anal-thrust. People of the first type are distinguished by greed and stubbornness. People of the second type are characterized by emotional instability and an aggressive desire for leadership.
- Phallic. People of this type try to demonstrate their masculinity/femininity as much as possible in everything. And not in the best forms: impudence, bitchiness, depravity. These are people of extremes. They either hate themselves or they adore them; or remain faithful, or regularly engage in casual relationships; or are overly cautious, or lead a wild and dangerous lifestyle, etc.
- Genital. According to Freud, this is the optimal, healthy type of character. He is characterized by a high level of stress resistance, developed adaptive abilities, sociability, openness, and activity. Such people achieve success in all areas of life and know how to win people over.
Another psychoanalyst, Alexander Lowen, named these types of characters:
- Oral. These are people who depend on other people's opinions and are afraid of being rejected and abandoned. Every minute they demand attention to themselves, waiting for words of love. However, they do not know how to give off heat.
- Masochistic. These are secretive, distrustful and vindictive people, prone to self-punishment and self-flagellation. They are used to playing the role of a victim and suffering. Those who find themselves next to them become unwitting participants in some kind of drama.
- Hysterical. These are very artistic people. They do not live, but play on stage. Their every word, reaction, gesture is clearly verified and rehearsed. However, excessive emotionality prevents you from making and implementing long-term plans. Such people need emotions, so they constantly get into some kind of trouble, become participants or instigators of scandals and fights.
- Narcissistic. These are people who are guided solely by personal interests. People for them are tools, a means to achieve personal goals. A narcissist does not know how to empathize or sympathize. He asserts himself at the expense of others. He cannot stand loneliness, as he needs to see, hear and feel admiration for himself.
- Schizoid. People who live in their own world. Outwardly it seems that they are cold, callous, indifferent. But that's not true. Passions boil in the inner world of a schizoid; he knows how to love and get carried away by something. But he does not tolerate “water” or anything superficial. Carefully chooses friends, hobbies, and work.
I believe you have noticed that characters get their names from a set of individual, leading qualities. Therefore, sometimes character types are called accentuation types. But let's look at this separately.
Note! There are no bad or good characters. Each person has their own advantages and disadvantages.
Accentuations
Accentuations are sharpened character traits. That is, this is some kind of disharmony, in which some features are weakly expressed, while others are overdeveloped.
In psychology, it is customary to focus on the typology of accentuations proposed by A.E. Lichko:
- Hyperthymic type. These are resourceful, active and sociable people. They will make their way everywhere, however, problems arise with long-term planning. Risk-prone, rarely think about the consequences of their actions.
- Cycloid type. The life of such people consists of cycles: sometimes a good mood, sometimes a bad one, activity is replaced by passivity, a period of increased performance turns into a period of loss of strength, etc. If you communicate with this person occasionally, you may get the impression that you are dealing with different people. One phase of the cycle lasts 2–4 weeks.
- Labile type. Unpredictable and emotionally unstable type. Your attitude towards yourself, other people and the world is directly related to your mood. Increased sensitivity to external stimuli is noticeable.
- Asthenoneurotic type. An anxious, capricious, lethargic type, prone to hypochondria - excessive preoccupation with one's own health. Such people quickly get tired of work, communication and other activities.
- Sensitive type. These are sensitive and impressionable people. They prefer solitude, calm and quiet games, and “one-on-one” hobbies. In the presence of close people they behave relaxed, but in a circle of unfamiliar people they are reserved and indecisive.
- Psychasthenic type. These are anxious, suspicious, indecisive people, prone to philosophizing. They get tired quickly and suffer from mood swings. They often withdraw into themselves.
- Schizoid type. These people build an invisible wall between themselves and the world. They do not express the need for social contacts; they are happy alone. These are stubborn and purposeful people who do not like to pour water. The essence of things is important to them, not the form. Actions are preferred to words.
- Epileptoid type. This is a passive, inflexible type who is prone to affective outbursts. Moreover, in this case, the affect lasts quite a long time – up to several days. All this time the person is in a depressed mood and is looking for someone to take his anger out on. Epileptoids can be dangerous to others and are capable of violence during an outbreak.
- Hysterical type. Such people are characterized by egocentrism. They are indifferent to the problems and interests of others and crave constant attention to themselves. Prone to manipulation and blackmail, including demonstrative attempts at suicide.
- Unstable type. People of this type do not like to work, they try to escape from reality and responsibility into the world of entertainment and games. They cannot be alone. In companies they occupy the position of slaves.
- Conformal type. People of this type are afraid of novelty and do not perceive it in any form. They become attached to things, people, work, order, etc. They take a long time to get used to a new environment and have difficulty adapting to any changes in life. In a group, people are more likely to be followers than leaders.
You may have been confused by some of the names, as they are very similar to the names of mental disorders. Don't be alarmed. Accentuation is not a pathology. However, it cannot be considered normal either. This is a borderline state between the norm (a harmonious character in which all traits are balanced and compensate for each other) and pathology (psychopathy). Accentuations need to be monitored and, if possible, corrected, since under the influence of unfavorable factors they can turn into pathology.
Structure
Character structure is a group of leading traits. There is no generally accepted classification in psychology, but the following character structure can be roughly distinguished:
- emotional traits - cheerfulness or gloominess, sensitivity or callousness;
- volitional traits - decisiveness and indecisiveness, independence and dependence, initiative and passivity;/li>
- moral traits - kindness and cruelty, responsiveness and indifference, sincerity and deceit;
- intellectual traits - curiosity or indifference, intelligence or dullness, resourcefulness or confusion.
In everyday life, there are many unofficial names for characters: weak-willed (a rag), steely-willed (a man with a core), no character (a “neither fish nor fowl” person). All this has to do with character structure. That is, those around you notice which group of traits is expressed more strongly or weakly and, based on this, they give the name to the entire character. For example, the core refers to developed volitional qualities.
Moral qualities
Morality is the system of internal values of a person that determine his behavioral response, attitude towards the social environment, close people and himself.
A person’s system of internal norms is developed as a result of the influence of many factors: family relationships, personal experience, school environment, social relationships.
Morality can be racial, humanistic, religious-fanatical, nationalistic, which is determined by the values that were the basis for the formation of a person’s internal rules.
The moral formation of a child’s personality is determined by his perception of moral norms, knowledge of such norms, habits of behavioral reactions, and the internal position of the baby.
For the development of a child as a social creature, knowledge of behavioral norms is of paramount importance. The preschool age of the baby is characterized by the assimilation of social postulates of behavior through interaction with the environment (relatives, peers, teachers).
The assimilation of norms, first of all, involves the child’s gradual understanding and comprehension of their role, as well as the development of behavioral habits through interaction with society. A habit reflects an emotionally felt stimulating force - the child has to act, violating normal behavior, which creates a feeling of discomfort in the baby. In addition, the assimilation of norms presupposes that the child absorbs a certain emotional attitude towards the norms.
Important personality qualities, such as tact, correctness, respect, careful attitude towards heritage, nature - this is the basis on which the successful coexistence of a person in society is built.
Among the primary moral qualities are the following:
– philanthropy (selfless help to people, kindness);
– loyalty (this trait has two directions: towards oneself, that is, following one’s own principles, ideals, and outside, which implies loyalty to the Fatherland);
- respect;
– selflessness (actions without personal gain);
– spirituality (a characteristic that includes moral aspects and religiosity, which exalts the human spirit).
Capabilities
Abilities are innate data. To be more precise, from birth we are given inclinations, and in the future it depends on the conditions of human development whether they develop abilities or not. Inclinations are anatomical and physiological features of the nervous system that serve as the basis for the formation of abilities. Abilities are personality traits that help one achieve greater success in performing any activity compared to other people.
Abilities can be biologically determined (given by nature) and socially acquired (specific abilities). In addition, in psychology it is customary to distinguish the following types of abilities:
- Are common. They help you achieve success in any type of activity. Examples of general abilities: good memory, high stability of attention and mental agility.
- Specialized. Increase the chances of success in mastering a specific activity. Examples: musical ear, artistic taste.
Among the special abilities are the following types:
- musical,
- artistic,
- sports,
- literary,
- creative,
- educational,
- intellectual,
- mathematical,
- others.
On the subject of interaction, it is customary to distinguish the following abilities:
- interpersonal – a person easily establishes social contacts;
- subject - a person is better able to interact with objects than with people.
In addition, theoretical and practical abilities are distinguished. In the first case, a person is more inclined to analysis and reasoning. In the second case, a person prefers to implement his activities through active actions.
According to the degree of development, abilities are reproductive (repeating someone else’s experience, knowledge) and inventive (creating something unique, new).
Emotions
Emotions are a mental reaction to any events. An emotional reaction is always subjective and has nothing to do with objective facts. Emotions are associated with the individual needs of the individual, as well as beliefs and experiences.
By type, emotions can be positive or negative. The first includes joy, passion, enthusiasm, faith, optimism, hope, satisfaction. The second - boredom, irritation, disappointment, anxiety, despondency, fear, sadness, excitement.
Psychologist B.I. Dodonov proposed the following classification of emotions according to the specifics of the situations in which they arise:
- communicative;
- altruistic;
- practical (occurs after the successful implementation of the plan);
- gloric (associated with the need for self-affirmation);
- fearful (occurs in situations of risk, danger);
- romantic;
- aesthetic;
- Gnostic (associated with the desire for knowledge);
- active (associated with accumulation, gathering);
- hedonistic (associated with any pleasures).
Emotions are situational experiences. They are short-lived. If you continue to experience the same thing after the situation ends, then this is the feeling. However, in practice, the first and second are often identified.
Will
Will is a person’s ability to consciously regulate his behavior and activities. The presence of will presupposes overcoming external and internal obstacles on the path to the goal. The will is formed by the age of 5-6 years. Until this moment, the child has only involuntary activity. But gradually the child learns to structure his motives and desires, overcome difficulties, and analyze his thoughts and actions.
Will is manifested in such character traits as perseverance, determination, dedication, independence, courage, endurance, diligence, and discipline. The presence of these qualities is noticeable at the cognitive, emotional and behavioral level.