What is Personality?

Totality of an individual's behavioral and emotional characteristics. Personality embraces a person's moods, attitudes, opinions, motivations, and style of thinking, perceiving, speaking, and acting. It is part of what makes each individual distinct.

Vocabulary

What a person says and does is the result of his or her personality. The following are words that are typically used to describe various personalities.

curious / day-dreamer / intuitive / intellectual / narrow-minded / sensitive / self-confident / meticulous / sentimental / passive / compassionate / original / domineering / proud / organized / stable / impulsive / adventurous / practical / easy-going / creative / perfectionist / self-indulgent / passionate / studious / analytical / artistic / up-tight / gracious / lazy / diplomatic / lovable / grouchy / temperamental / persistent / fair / fun-loving / laid-back / affectionate / coy / daring / weird / moody / rebellious / selfish / bossy / cautious / absent-minded

Discussion:

What are some characteristics of your personality?
Describe your own personality. How do others think of your personality? Do you agree with them or not?
What makes you happy?
What are some things that make you angry?
Are you happy with your personality?
Would you like to be different?
Are you a determined person? Are you a stubborn person?
Are you shy? In which occasions are you shy?
Do you consider yourself selfish? Why?
Is your personality suited to your job?
In what way has your personality changed? Why has it changed??
If you could change any aspect of your personality, what would it be?

Quotes:

• "It's beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart."

• I knew that I had come face to face with someone whose mere personality was so fascinating that, if I allowed it to do so, it would absorb my whole nature, my whole soul, my very art itself." – Oscar Wilde

• Personality has the power to open many doors, but character must keep them open"

• An individual's self-concept is the core of his personality. It affects every aspect of human behavior: the ability to learn, the capacity to grow and change. A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success in life." – Dr. Joyce Brother

• Most great men and women are not perfectly rounded in their personalities, but are instead people whose one driving enthusiasm is so great it makes their faults seem insignificant." –Charles A. Cerami

• Humility is no substitute for a good personality." – Fran Lebowitz

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By: Natalie Josef
Did you know that people who like golden retrievers are usually laid back, enjoy nature, and can be too trusting? Did you know that people who list ice cream as their favorite dessert are into sports and hate giving up the remote? All of our choices—even tiny ones—can reveal certain aspects of our personalities. Do you know what you’re revealing about yourself?

What Your Office Workspace Says About You

A study at the University of Texas Austin found that offices can reveal much about a worker’s personality and dedication to the job. In general though, a worker with a highly personalized space is one who is secure about her position and claiming her space.

Empty or Un-Personalized Desk

This indicates either a lack of dedication to the job or someone who is generally dissatisfied with the job—in either case, not a good sign.

Plants

Plants, whether they are cared for or not, reveal that a worker is planning to stay at the job.

Candy Bowl/Lots of Supplies

This worker wants people to come visit her and is an extrovert—shy or introverted types would never put anything on their desks that would draw others into their spaces.

Motivational/Inspirational Items

This is an ambitious person who is dedicated to his job and wants to remain engaged—can indicate someone who wants challenges and a chance to prove himself.

Family Photos

This can go two ways. If the photos are placed for others to see, it’s usually a status symbol and done more for the appearance. If the photos are placed for only the worker to see, they are usually genuine reminders of loved ones, which can motivate the worker or ease the guilt of spending so much time away from the loved ones.

Excessive Post-It Notes

Indicates the worker is feeling overwhelmed and not able to keep up.

Short Hair

If a woman has a well-maintained and carefully-cut short hairstyle, it can reveal that she is artistic and wants to express herself through her hair. Any high-maintenance hairstyle can be a sign of wealth or that a woman cares about her looks, but short hair requires frequent trips to the stylist, a sign that the woman is okay with spending money to look good. According to Dimitrius, “Spending a significant percentage of one’s income on hair—or any other aspect of personal appearance—suggests vanity, a need for acceptance, concern about others’ perceptions, and possibly insecurity.”

Long Hair

Long hair can have multiple meanings. Many women believe that long hair makes them more sexually appealing, but it can also show a bohemian spirit or a need for freedom. Women over forty with long hair can be trying to hold onto their youth (and sex appeal) and may be unrealistic in their perceptions of themselves.

Gray Hair

Women who go “naturally” gray are comfortable with who they are. They have their own opinions about what looks good and what they like.

Mohawks, Multi-Colored Hair, Unique Styles

Obviously this shows that the wearer bucks tradition and doesn’t care what people think of her. The wearers are usually young and adventurous, but wearing these styles into adulthood reveals a woman who has little regard for what conventional society (employers, authority figures) thinks of her.

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