Type Approach

The distinctive ways we define our existence are called self and personality. They also pertain to how our experiences are organised and manifested in our actions. We know that various people have distinct opinions based on common observation. These concepts describe a person’s identity. We also know that different people respond differently in different situations, but that a person’s behaviour is reasonably consistent from one circumstance to the next. That person’s “personality” is represented by such a reasonably steady pattern of behaviour. As a result, various people appear to have diverse personalities. These characteristics are represented in people’s various behaviours. 

Self-consciousness and behavioural aspects

The study of self has piqued the interest of psychologists worldwide. Many facets of human self-behaviour have been revealed due to these investigations. As previously said, we all have an internal sense of who we are and what distinguishes us from others. We cling to our personal and societal identities, secure in the idea that they will stay steady throughout our lives. Self-concept refers to how we see ourselves and the beliefs about our abilities and characteristics. At a very basic level, this self-perception is either good or negative.

Concept of personality

The term ‘personality’ is frequently used in our daily conversations. The word personality is derived from the Latin word persona, which refers to the mask worn by actors in the Roman theatre to change their facial make-up. After putting on the mask, the audience anticipated the individual to act in a certain way. However, it did not imply that the role’s individual possessed such characteristics. In layman’s terms, personality refers to an individual’s physical or exterior appearance. When we see someone who is ‘good-looking,’ we frequently believe that they also have a nice demeanour. This concept of personality is based on first impressions, which may or may not be accurate.

Primary approaches to personality study

Psychologists who research personality strive to address specific issues concerning the existence and origins of personality variations in individuals. You may have noticed that two siblings develop very distinct personalities. They seem different physically, but they also act differently in different situations. These findings frequently pique our interest and prompt us to wonder, “Why do some people behave differently in a given scenario than others?” Why do some individuals love outdoor activities while others prefer reading, watching television or playing cards?

To explore and explain behavioural variations between people and behavioural consistency within a person, a variety of methodologies and ideas have been created. These theories are based on many human behaviour models. Each sheds insight on a different component of personality, but not all of them. Psychologists distinguish type and trait approaches to personality. The type method tries to understand human personality by looking at broad patterns in observable behavioural traits and the type approach of people’s personality. Each behavioural pattern refers to a certain type of person, classified based on how similar their behavioural features are to that pattern. On the other hand, the trait approach focuses on the precise psychological characteristics along which people tend to differ in predictable and stable ways.

Type Approach

Personality types, as previously stated, are used to express and communicate a set of expected behaviours based on shared characteristics. Since ancient times, attempts have been made to categorise people into personality types. Hippocrates, a Greek physician, postulated a personality classification based on fluid or humour. He divided humans into four categories (sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholic and choleric), each with distinct behavioural characteristics.

In India, the Charak Samhita, a well-known Ayurvedic book, divides persons into Vata, Pitta and Kapha categories based on three humoral factors known as tridosha. Each one denotes a personality trait known as Prakriti (basic nature). A personality classification based on the tribunals, i.e. sattva, rajas and tamas, is also available. The Sattva guna comprises cleanliness, sincerity, dutifulness, detachment, discipline, and other such qualities. Intensive activity, craving sense fulfilment, unhappiness, envy for others and a materialistic attitude are all examples of Rajas guna. Anger, arrogance, sadness, lethargy and a sense of powerlessness are all characteristics of Tamas guna. Every person possesses all three gunas to varying degrees. The dominance of one guna over the other might be problematic.

Sheldon’s personality types are well-known in the field of psychology. Sheldon postulated the endomorphic, mesomorphic as well as the typology that is ectomorph. Endomorphs are spherical, plump and squishy in terms of personality. Keep in mind that these bodily typologies are simplistic and have little use in forecasting individual behaviour. They are more akin to the stereotypes that people have. Another key typology provided by Jung is the distinction between introverts and extroverts. This is commonly acknowledged. According to this type, introverts prefer to be alone, avoid social situations, retreat when confronted with emotional difficulties and are bashful.

On the other hand, extroverts are friendly, outgoing and drawn to vocations that require direct contact with people. They cope with stress by immersing themselves in people and social activities.

Type-B personality might be defined as the lack of Type-A characteristics. This typology has been expanded upon. Morris has claimed that Morris has a Type-C personality, which is cancer-prone. Cooperative, unassertive and patient are traits associated with this personality type. They demonstrate obedience to authority while suppressing unpleasant feelings (e.g., rage). A Type-D personality has recently been proposed, characterised by a predisposition towards depression.  

Conclusion

Personality types are alluring, yet they are overly simplified. The behaviour of humans is extremely complicated and changeable. It is challenging to categorise people into different personality types. People do not readily fit into such simplistic classification frameworks. Type approach psychologists believe that personality can be classified into broad categories. The trait cum type approach of personality is relatively stable, persistent and characteristic patterns of behaviour that makes the individual unique.