Have you heard someone saying, “You have an attractive personality?” or another person talking to you about someone not present there as “a man with a very rigid personality.” Well, did it ever strike, “Why and how do personalities vary from person to person?” And “What are the different types of personality and its determinants?”
As per Albert Bandura and his Social Cognitive Theory, people develop their personality based on the social context they are exposed to. It is not what someone is born with. The theory also suggests that a personality is formed when people take time to observe the behaviors of others and start to adapt to the same. In this regard, let’s find out, “What are the different types of personality and its determinants?” Before that, it’s important to find how and where it all started, and in this regard, it is the theory of the Big 5 which made all the difference,
The Big 5 Personality Theory
At the very beginning, in the 1930s and 40s, researchers were new to segregating various personality types. They did turn towards the method of ‘‘factor analysis” to identify the basic dimensions of personality. Later by the 1980s, a high degree of consensus emerged among the researchers, beginning with the research work of D. W. Fiske (1949) and later added upon by others, Norman (1967), Goldberg (1981), Smith (1967), and McCrae & Costa (1987). The human personality is now divided into five basic traits. And this came to be termed “The Big Five” theory. Before you proceed with the list, it’s important to know that the personality traits represent a scale of two extremes, considering the high and the low.
Openness
The first one on the list, Openness, focuses on the insight and imagination of a person. An individual with a high level of Openness tends to be interested in multiple things simultaneously. They are always curious about the world around them. Those with low percentages have a traditional mindset. They are always struggling with abstract thinking.
Conscientiousness
Those with high levels of thoughtfulness, showcasing goal-directed behaviors, and great control over impulses are Conscientious by nature. Individuals with a high percentage of the trait appear to be mindful and organized. Otherwise, the ones scoring less are always seen procrastinating and unmindful of all situations.
Extraversion
A person with sociability, excitability, assertiveness, and talkativeness is Extroverted by nature. Those high in Extraversion are always full of energy and outgoing. On the other hand, you have introverts who appear to be reserved socially.
Agreeableness
People from this strata have a personality defined by trust, kindness, affection, and altruism. Those with higher percentages tend to be more cooperative, and others scoring low on the scale are always competitive. They sometimes like to manipulate people as well.
Neuroticism
Specific characteristics like moodiness, sadness, and emotional instability define a person with neurotic nature. Individuals with a greater percentage of Neuroticism undergo anxiety, irritability, sadness, and mood swings. Those with less percentage tend to be emotionally resilient.
Understanding Different Types Of Personality And Its Determinants
Now that you know the various personality traits, it’s time to look into the “different types of personality and its determinants.”
Personality A
These people always like to be in control of the environment surrounding them and others in their lives. Also, they tend to be goal-oriented and always like to work for a cause. Moving on, here are some of the most common traits of an individual with a Type A personality.
- Ambitious
- Independent
- Multitasker
- Seeks freedom
- Dominant
- Embraces change
Personality B
The Type B personality is energetic and outgoing. Also, these people like to be the center of attention. They are good at relationship building and always want everyone to like them back, appreciate and acknowledge their work. The common traits that govern these people are.
- Persuasive
- Fun loving
- Enthusiastic
- Procrastinator
- Confident
- Charismatic
- Impulsive
Personality C
This personality type likes to be involved in things that are under control or stable. They are always looking for logic, rationality, and accuracy. These people believe that being emotional will harm one’s aim in life and diminish the chances of goal fulfillment. The best examples of this personality type have traits like:
- Skeptical
- Creative
- Organized
- Lawful
- Critical
- Analytical
- Detached
- Worried about future
Personality D
These people like to take it slow and are often feel happy as part of repetitive tasks. The present working condition might be unpleasant for people with D Type personalities, but they worry that the future can be even worse. These people do not take change sportingly and always seek longevity and security in their job. The dominating characteristics of them are being
- Sincere
- Stable
- Calm
- Consistent
- Dependable
- Self-confident
- Caring
- Observant
- Shy
- Low key
Personality X
People with more than one personality type dominating their strengths equally are termed Type X. For example, if an individual has both the qualities of Type B and Type C. They are termed BX or AX personality types. The number of personalities can also be more than two, and the individual’s behavior seems to vary according to their situation.
So that is all about understanding the different types of personality and its determinants. Based on the social surrounding and how a person has been treated in childhood, people’s personalities change over time.
