We all know that not even two persons are alike, there are variations in the height, weight, body build, health, intelligence and many other aspects. Broadly there are three domains or aspects of human development; the physical, the cognitive and the socio-emotional domain. This is due to individual differences that affect the development process. The main reasons of the individual differences are the biological and environmental factors on human development. To understand the individual differences, we need to study the influences of major contexts like gender, maturation, family, neighbourhood, socio-economic status, ethnicity and culture on the development of human beings.
Development is a process by which something grows from a beginning state to a later one. Personality also develops over time from an immature beginning state to a later mature state. Sigmund Freud considered personality to be like an Iceberg. According to him, most of the personality exists below our level of awareness, just as the massive part of an Iceberg is beneath the surface of the water. Whereas the ego and superego are partly conscious and partly unconscious, the primitive id is the unconscious, the totally submerged part of the Iceberg. According to Freud, most of one’s adult personality is determined during the first five years of life. The psychosocial theory of Erik Erikson emphasised the importance of understanding the personality against the background of social and historical forces and development change throughout the life cycle. The analytical theory of Carl Jung emphasised that the centre of personality is the self-archetype which provides the personality with a sense of unity and harmony. He hypothesised that each personality is dominated by a basic attitude which was either introversion or extroversion.
Sudhir Kakar’s Indian Psychoanalytic theory explains about the goal of human existence, the ways to reach this goal, the errors to be avoided, the ideal purposes, values and beliefs which penetrate down into the everyday life of the ordinary people and give it form and meaning. Like modern theories of personality Hindu model of dharma conceptualises human development in a succession of stages. For the large majority of India’s people, social change has been gradual and bearable. Most Indians have remained true to the traditional Indian identity in which the maternal cosmos of Infancy and early childhood is the inner world. He described moksha or Liberation as the ultimate aim of human existence.
Thus various social, cultural, economic, health, education, moral and emotional factors contribute in development of human personality.
Personality Types
The powerful temperament personality type loves to lead, they quickly take new challenges and charge forth to show themselves that they can reach the goal. They are immediately motivated to take action as long as they can see some benefits for themselves. They are adventurous, persuasive and confident. They are also called the Leaders.
The Popular personality type gets enthusiastic over the possibility of getting his life pulled together. He sees visions of grandeur and sincerely wants to improve, but doesn’t find enough time to start and when he is able to, loses the ingredients. They are spontaneous, vivacious and cheerful. They are the Socializer lot.
The Perfectionist Meloncholy will take notes and analyse all that is offered. He may study the concepts and evaluate the merits. He might be able to initiate the program but to put the whole outlook will be depressing. They are thoughtful, faithful and persistent. They are also called the Thinkers.
The Peaceful personality type might see few easy steps to take that may seem useful, may head towards a positive direction, but chances are the whole process would be overwhelming and just too much of work. They are friendly, patient and contended. They are also called the Emotionals.
As it is said, “what we are never changes, but who we are never stops changing.” We can become the role models of children by doing ourselves what we are asking them to follow. Personality is a holistic approach in which development and growth are a process. Why do you think there is need to enhance life skills and Personality development? Are we developing sharing and compassion or are we becoming selfish? Earlier there were joint families, where the children could share their feelings, and grow gradually with trust, warmth and compassion. Personality makes a difference in one’s thought process. As Buddha said,” You become what you think “. Minor problems may cause stress to some and not to others.
Every Individual must navigate a series of psychosocial stages each of which present a particular conflict, which needs to be resolved at a given stage to be able to cope successfully with conflicts of later stages. People struggle to achieve a sense of coherence and wholeness in life. If this does not happen, it gives way to despair over their inability to relive the past differently. It is an integrative task to gain a sense of order and meaning of lives within larger social order.
The role of Counsellor
The role of the counsellor or family therapist is to facilitate the psychological growth and development of the ones they serve with a prerequisite to acquire basic knowledge about human development, it’s basic concepts, and the variety of factors that influence it. They also help those who experience difficulties in overcoming or resolving interpersonal, vocational and emotional adjustment problems associated with modern living. The counsellors and family therapists intervene for promoting positive family inter-relationships, and reducing maladaptive behaviour and psychosomatic problems.