Personality is often defined as a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a person's behaviour.
There are a number of ways in which we describe personality. And, often when we assess it for an individual, the effectiveness with which he elicit positive reactions under different circumstances are being considered. Or, the other most popular way of ascribing an individual with a personality is by observing the most outstanding or salient impression which he forms on others.
So, personality has often been defined from two separate viewpoints, one is the 'biosocial' perspective, where a close correspondence with the popular use of the term as it equates personality to the "social stimulus value" of the individual is made. Here, the reaction of other individuals is considered to determine the type of personality.
The other is the 'biophysical' perspective which generates from the characteristics or qualities of an individual. This perspective claims for an organic side of personality which is linked to the specific qualities of the individual which are susceptible to generalized description and measurement.
The construction of an individual's personality is the result of the reciprocal interaction of the three vital determinants - Biological factors, Psychological factors and Social factors.
The Biological or Physical determinants plays a vital role in the formation of personality. It has been sub-grouped into heredity and physical features. Heredity contributes towards the sex, physical structure, composition of muscles, facial features, which are reflected through our personality. And, physical features are the external appearance which also plays a key role in the formation of self-conception.
The next is the Psychological factors which involves the cognitive aspect of an individual. The behavioural patterns, thinking and problem solving skills, decision making capabilities - all contributes towards the formation of personality.
The third in the row is the Social factors. Personality and social behaviours result from a blending of heredity and social environmental influences. The Sociobiologists feel that environmental factors have the greatest influences. Heredity, birth order,parents and cultural environment are among the principal factors which influences an individual's personality and behaviour.
These three factors are in a continuous interactive relationship and influences one another from the time of an individual's pre-natal stage. The synthesis of these factors determines an individual's personality.
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