University Of Phoenix Material: Personality Analysis
University of Phoenix Material
Personality Reflection
Using the textbook, the University Library, the Internet, and/or other resources, answer the following questions. Your responses to each question will vary but overall should be 700- to 1,050-words in length.
1. How would you define personality?
There are many different ways that people are referenced and categorized. People are lumped into groups based off of gender, race, economic background and even social background. Of all these categories, personality is one category that differentiates us from one another. It is the one thing that makes us completely different and unique from everyone else. It is often easy to associate people with similar characteristics as having similar personalities, however psychologists know that similar characteristics have no influence on personalities being the same. People with similar genetics, experience and motivational factors often have completely different reactions …show more content…
to similar situations. Just as people with very opposing genetics, experiences, and motivational backgrounds can have very similar reactions.
2. What are some key personality features that define you?
Dictionary.com defines personality as “the sum total of the physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics of an individual (dictionary.com, 2013).” The word “features” in this question suggests a response of positive or favorable personality features that define me. The first adjective that comes to mind that defines me would be “intense.” Most of the things I do are usually accomplished through effortful, concentrated and passionate feelings. I put forth maximum effort to always have a positive outlook on things, and I find motivation through accomplishment.
3. What key concepts or “constructs” are used to explain your personality?
According to the Keirsey Personality Sorter, I am quiet and reserved, more concrete than abstract, and I use judgment over perception. My personality type is Guardian Inspector (ISTJ). • I – Introversion preferred to extraversion: ISTJs tend to be quiet and reserved. They generally prefer interacting with a few close friends rather than a wide circle of acquaintances, and they expend energy in social situations (whereas extroverts gain energy). • S – Sensing preferred to intuition: ISTJs tend to be more concrete than abstract. They focus their attention on the details rather than the big picture, and on immediate realities rather than future possibilities. • T – Thinking preferred to feeling: ISTJs tend to value objective criteria above personal preference. When making decisions, they generally give more weight to logic than to social considerations. • J – Judgment preferred to perception: ISTJs tend to plan their activities and make decisions early. They derive a sense of control through predictability. I was not too surprised after taking the Keirsey Personality Sorter. For the most part, I think it was quite accurate in assessing my personality type. Other constructs that explain my personality are Type A personality, high self-esteem, and assertive. As is true to my opinion on whether or not individual personality can change, mine has not. For as long as I can remember my personality has always been consistent. My behaviors have changed over the years, but my personality is the same.
4. Are your personality features consistent or do they change according to the situation?
I believe that my personality is very consistent. However, depending on the situation, my reactions are different. I tend to be quiet and keep to myself. My job requires me to provide briefings to senior Army leaders from time to time, and the audiences range in size from 10-15 people to as many as 300. When I have to give these briefings, my behavior changes to get me through it. I become more outspoken and even a little verbose at times. I do not believe it is my personality that changes, but more of how I project myself to adapt to the situation. From what I have learned so far in this class, I do not believe that personalities really change. I think we remain the same but just learn how to adapt our behaviors to each situation. The adaptation is what changes and it can change multiple times. Our feelings about different things can change, but feelings are also different than personality. In general terms, I believe I am dependable, realistic, stable, efficient, and decisive.
5. Have you ever taken a personality test before? If so, what was your reaction to the analysis? If not, what would you expect a proper test to measure?
As mentioned above, I have taken several personality tests throughout the years and just recently took the Keirsey Personality Sorter.
When I was in the military taking this test was required once I reached senior levels. It was not used by anyone for evaluation or suitability purposes, but instead it was used for individual self-assessment. Each time I take the test my reaction is always the same. I am skeptical in the beginning, and a believer in the end. It is amazing how the results capture my own opinion about my personality. The only part I did not feel was accurate (in the beginning) was its definition of “how others see you.” To validate my feeling, I provided two different interpretations of “how others see you” to a co-worker. One interpretation was from the test, the other was my own interpretation. To my surprise, my co-worker said that he viewed my personality was more in line with the findings from the test. For me, this further validated the legitimacy of the
test.
6. What would make a personality test reliable and valid?
Of the personality tests that I have taken, I do not believe that personality tests can be considered as reliable and valid to anyone other than the individual taking the test. This is because the test is only as accurate as the answers, and the answers require honesty for a true assessment. People may be inclined to provide responses based on what they feel the answers are supposed to be for the tester versus what the answers are to them.
References
Dictionary.com. (2013). Dictionary.com. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/
Keirsey.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.keirsey.com/sorter/register.aspx
University of Phoenix. (2011). Personality. Classic Theories and Modern Research, Fifth Edition. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, PSY250 - Psychology of Personality website.
Personality Reflection
Using the textbook, the University Library, the Internet, and/or other resources, answer the following questions. Your responses to each question will vary but overall should be 700- to 1,050-words in length.
1. How would you define personality?
There are many different ways that people are referenced and categorized. People are lumped into groups based off of gender, race, economic background and even social background. Of all these categories, personality is one category that differentiates us from one another. It is the one thing that makes us completely different and unique from everyone else. It is often easy to associate people with similar characteristics as having similar personalities, however psychologists know that similar characteristics have no influence on personalities being the same. People with similar genetics, experience and motivational factors often have completely different reactions …show more content…
to similar situations. Just as people with very opposing genetics, experiences, and motivational backgrounds can have very similar reactions.
2. What are some key personality features that define you?
Dictionary.com defines personality as “the sum total of the physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics of an individual (dictionary.com, 2013).” The word “features” in this question suggests a response of positive or favorable personality features that define me. The first adjective that comes to mind that defines me would be “intense.” Most of the things I do are usually accomplished through effortful, concentrated and passionate feelings. I put forth maximum effort to always have a positive outlook on things, and I find motivation through accomplishment.
3. What key concepts or “constructs” are used to explain your personality?
According to the Keirsey Personality Sorter, I am quiet and reserved, more concrete than abstract, and I use judgment over perception. My personality type is Guardian Inspector (ISTJ). • I – Introversion preferred to extraversion: ISTJs tend to be quiet and reserved. They generally prefer interacting with a few close friends rather than a wide circle of acquaintances, and they expend energy in social situations (whereas extroverts gain energy). • S – Sensing preferred to intuition: ISTJs tend to be more concrete than abstract. They focus their attention on the details rather than the big picture, and on immediate realities rather than future possibilities. • T – Thinking preferred to feeling: ISTJs tend to value objective criteria above personal preference. When making decisions, they generally give more weight to logic than to social considerations. • J – Judgment preferred to perception: ISTJs tend to plan their activities and make decisions early. They derive a sense of control through predictability. I was not too surprised after taking the Keirsey Personality Sorter. For the most part, I think it was quite accurate in assessing my personality type. Other constructs that explain my personality are Type A personality, high self-esteem, and assertive. As is true to my opinion on whether or not individual personality can change, mine has not. For as long as I can remember my personality has always been consistent. My behaviors have changed over the years, but my personality is the same.
4. Are your personality features consistent or do they change according to the situation?
I believe that my personality is very consistent. However, depending on the situation, my reactions are different. I tend to be quiet and keep to myself. My job requires me to provide briefings to senior Army leaders from time to time, and the audiences range in size from 10-15 people to as many as 300. When I have to give these briefings, my behavior changes to get me through it. I become more outspoken and even a little verbose at times. I do not believe it is my personality that changes, but more of how I project myself to adapt to the situation. From what I have learned so far in this class, I do not believe that personalities really change. I think we remain the same but just learn how to adapt our behaviors to each situation. The adaptation is what changes and it can change multiple times. Our feelings about different things can change, but feelings are also different than personality. In general terms, I believe I am dependable, realistic, stable, efficient, and decisive.
5. Have you ever taken a personality test before? If so, what was your reaction to the analysis? If not, what would you expect a proper test to measure?
As mentioned above, I have taken several personality tests throughout the years and just recently took the Keirsey Personality Sorter.
When I was in the military taking this test was required once I reached senior levels. It was not used by anyone for evaluation or suitability purposes, but instead it was used for individual self-assessment. Each time I take the test my reaction is always the same. I am skeptical in the beginning, and a believer in the end. It is amazing how the results capture my own opinion about my personality. The only part I did not feel was accurate (in the beginning) was its definition of “how others see you.” To validate my feeling, I provided two different interpretations of “how others see you” to a co-worker. One interpretation was from the test, the other was my own interpretation. To my surprise, my co-worker said that he viewed my personality was more in line with the findings from the test. For me, this further validated the legitimacy of the
test.
6. What would make a personality test reliable and valid?
Of the personality tests that I have taken, I do not believe that personality tests can be considered as reliable and valid to anyone other than the individual taking the test. This is because the test is only as accurate as the answers, and the answers require honesty for a true assessment. People may be inclined to provide responses based on what they feel the answers are supposed to be for the tester versus what the answers are to them.
References
Dictionary.com. (2013). Dictionary.com. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/
Keirsey.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.keirsey.com/sorter/register.aspx
University of Phoenix. (2011). Personality. Classic Theories and Modern Research, Fifth Edition. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, PSY250 - Psychology of Personality website.