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Module-1
Individual differences and personality
Why it is important to study Personality?
The more you know about personalities, the better you will be able to understand why
people do the things they do, and how to communicate with them. People who design
advertisements are experts at how people think, and can come up with advertisements
that help to sell their products. Society's leaders are experts at making people want to
follow their way of doing things. If you understand other people, you are also more likely
to get along with them and not have wars.
Studying your own personality is also good. The more you understand about how your
mind works and how you think and feel, the better you are able to control your mind and
not just react blindly to what's going on around you.
The term personality comes from the Latin word persona meaning "mask". Allport
defined personality as "the dynamic organization within the individual
of those psychophysical systems that determine his characteristic behavior
and thought."
Structure of Personality
According to Allport, the basic units of personality are personal dispositions.
A. Personal Dispositions
Allport distinguished between common traits, which permit inter-individual comparisons,
and personal dispositions, which are peculiar to the individual. He recognized three
overlapping levels of personal dispositions, the most general of which are cardinal
dispositions that are so obvious and dominating that they can not be hidden from other
people. Not everyone has a cardinal disposition, but all people have 5 to 10 central
dispositions, or characteristics around which their lives revolve. In addition, everyone has
a great number of secondary dispositions, which are less reliable and less conspicuous
than central traits.
Personality theories
(a) Type and Trait approaches: This focus on people’s characteristics, stubbornness,
shyness and so forth and how these characteristics are organized into systems;
(b) Dynamic approaches: Focuses on on-going interactions among motive, impulses and
psychological processes;
(c) Learning and Behavioral approaches: emphasize the ways habits are acquired through
basic condition or learning processes;
(d) Humanistic approaches: emphasize the Self and the importance of the individual’s
subjective view of the world.
Individual Differences
That people differ from each other is obvious. How and why they differ is less clear and
is the subject of the study of Individual differences (IDs). Although to study individual
differences seems to be to study variance, how are people different, it is also to study
central tendency, how well can a person be described in terms of an overall within-person
average. Indeed, perhaps the most important question of individual differences is whether
people are more similar to themselves over time and across situations than they are to
others, and whether the variation within a single person across time and situation is less
than the variation between people. A related question is that of similarity, for people
differ in their similarities to each other. Questions of whether particular groups (e.g.,
groupings by sex, culture, age, or ethnicity) are more similar within than between groups
are also questions of individual differences.
Individual difference psychology examines how people are similar and how they differ in
their thinking, feeling and behavior. For example, people can be classified according to
intelligence and personality characteristics.
Activities
Discussion on relating themselves with their parents, for e.g. what are some of
traits similar to their parents and some traits that are unique to them in order to
emphasize the importance of nature and nurture in personality development.
Debate if we are born with a personality or we acquire it
How the statement, “ I love my parents” is interpreted differently by the students
to explain individual differences.
Module –IISocialization
Human infants are born without any culture. They must be transformed by their
parents, teachers, and others into cultural and socially adept animals. The general
process of acquiring culture is referred to as socialization. Successful socialization
can result in uniformity within a society.
A continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and
learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social
position. Learning the customs, attitudes, and values of a social group, community, or
culture. Socialization is essential for the development of individuals who can
participate and function within their societies, as well as for ensuring that a society's
cultural features will be carried on through new generations. Socialization is most
strongly enforced by family, school, and peer groups and continues throughout an
individual's lifetime.
Socialization is important in the process of personality formation. While
much of human personality is the result of our genes, the socialization process can
mold it in particular directions by encouraging specific beliefs and attitudes as well as
selectively providing experiences. This very likely accounts for much of the
difference between the common personality types in one society in comparison to
another. For instance, the Semai tribesmen of the central Malay Peninsula of
Malaysia typically are gentle people who do not like violent, aggressive individuals.
In fact, they avoid them whenever possible. In contrast, the Yanomamö Indians on
the border area between Venezuela and Brazil usually train their boys to be tough and
aggressive.
How are People Socialized?
Socialization is a learning process that begins shortly after birth. Early
childhood is the period of the most intense and the most crucial socialization. It is
then that we acquire language and learn the fundamentals of our culture. It is also
when much of our personality takes shape. However, we continue to be socialized
throughout our lives. As we age, we enter new statuses and need to learn the
appropriate roles for them. We also have experiences that teach us lessons and
potentially lead us to alter our expectations, beliefs, and personality.
Socialization is the process by which children and adults learn from others.
We begin learning from others during the early days of life; and most people continue
their social learning all through life (unless some mental or physical disability slows
or stops the learning process). Sometimes the learning is fun, as when we learn a new
sport, art or musical technique from a friend we like. At other times, social learning is
painful, as when we learn not to drive too fast by receiving a large fine for speeding.
Types of Socialization
Natural socialization occurs when infants and youngsters explore, play and
discover the social world around them. Planned socialization occurs when other
people take actions designed to teach or train others -- from infancy on. Natural
socialization is easily seen when looking at the young of almost any mammalian
species (and some birds). Planned socialization is mostly a human phenomenon; and
all through history, people have been making plans for teaching or training others.
Both natural and planned socialization can have good and bad features: It is wise to
learn the best features of both natural and planned socialization and weave them into
our lives.
Positive socialization is the type of social learning that is based on
pleasurable and exciting experiences. We tend to like the people who fill our social
learning processes with positive motivation, loving care, and rewarding opportunities.
Negative socialization occurs when others use punishment, harsh criticisms or anger
to try to "teach us a lesson;" and often we come to dislike both negative socialization
and the people who impose it on us.
Our prior socialization helps explain a gigantic chunk of who we are at
present -- what we think and feel, where we plan to go in life. But we are not limited
by the things given to us by our prior social learning experiences; we can take all our
remaining days and steer our future social learning in directions that we value. The
more that we know about the socialization process, the more effective we can be in
directing our future learning in the ways that will help us most.
Activities
Write a short note on any of the following:
o Friends who have helped you in the process of adapting to Amity
University.
o Discuss your strong personal beliefs that shapes your behaviour with
others.
o Role played by your parents in the process of your socialization.
o Any important figure you remember who has helped in shaping you
the way you are.
Module-III
Patriotism and National Pride
Every social group has its own notions of loyalty. The institution of family
embeds loyalty to the family as a social group. When a son and his wife and children
separate from the rest of the family or when brothers divide their property, the
neighborhood reacts with sorrow and not glee. Caste associations emphasize the
benefits which come from an active participation and cooperation between different
members of the same caste. Tribal groups, too, emphasize similar benefits from
collaboration.
The notion of patriotism is different from such forms of group loyalty. The difference
lies in its close affinity with the state. Patriotism is not based upon kinship or of
shared descent like in families, castes and tribes. Patriotism is based upon the idea of
a nation and its central institution, the state.
What is Patriotism?
The standard dictionary definition reads “love of one's country.” This captures the
core meaning of the term in ordinary use; but it might well be thought too thin.
Stephen Nathanson (1993, 34–35) defines patriotism as involving:
1. Special affection for one's own country
2. A sense of personal identification with the country
3. Special concern for the well-being of the country
4. Willingness to sacrifice to promote the country's good
Accordingly, patriotism can be defined as love of one's country, identification with it,
and special concern for its well-being and that of compatriots.
Patriotism and nationalism
In the 19th century, Lord Acton contrasted “nationality” and patriotism as
affection and instinct vs. a moral relation. Nationality is “our connection with the
race” that is “merely natural or physical,” while patriotism is the awareness of our
moral duties to the political community (Acton 1972, 163). Patriotism involves pride
in, or endorsement of, one's country.
National Pride
Quiz
What are the national pride of India?
(a) National Flag : The National Flag of India was designed by Pingali Venkayyaand
and adopted in its present form during the meeting of Constituent Assembly held on the
22 July 1947, a few days before India's independence from the British on 15 August,
1947. It served as the national flag of the Dominion of India between 15 August 1947 and
26 January 1950 and that of the Republic of India thereafter. In India, the term "tricolour"
refers to the Indian national flag. In the national flag of India the top band is of Saffron
colour, indicating the strength and courage of the country. The white middle band
indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra. The last band is green in colour shows the
fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land. This Dharma Chakra depicted the "wheel
of the law" in the Sarnath Lion Capital made by the 3rd-century BC Mauryan Emperor
Ashoka. The chakra intends to show that there is life in movement and death in
stagnation.
National Emblem : The National Emblem features Four lions standing back to back on a
platform. There is a wheel in the centre of the platform. A bull stands on the right of the
wheel and a horse on its left. If you see the corners of the base you'll spot the outlines of
other wheels. The words Satyameva Jayate ('Truth Alone Triumphs') from an ancient
book the Mundaka Upanishad are written below the picture in Hindi.
National Anthem: The National Anthem is the song Jana-gana-mana. It was written by
the Nobel Prize winning poet, Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali, but it is the Hindi
translation which is used officially. Tagore's poem Bharat Bhagya Vidhata has five
stanzas but only the first stanza is the National Anthem. The National Anthem was
adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.
The playing time of the National Anthem is 52 seconds.
National Song: The song Vande Mataram, composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra
Chatterji is India's National Song.
The song was chosen because it had inspired many people during India's struggle for
freedom.
National Bird: The Indian peacock (Pavo cristatus) is the National Bird of India.
The peacock is a swan-sized bird with a tail of colourful feathers.
National Animal: The National animal is the majestic tiger (Panthera tigris).
The tiger is a big 'wild' cat with a thick yellow coat of fur, marked with dark stripes.
It's strength and speed make it one of the most feared animals in the jungle.
National Flower: The National Flower of India is the lotus. This beautiful flower is
found on the surface of lakes and even dirty ponds especially during the rainy season. Its
stem and roots are not visible as they stay under the water. The lotus is a popular symbol.
Sometimes it is used to show how a good thing can grow out of a bad place.
Activity: Ask students what are some things about India they would remember and
would feel proud about if they migrate to another county.
e.g. Indian food, festivals, culture, Dress
Module-IV
Human Rights, Values & ethics
Human rights refer to the "basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are
entitled." Examples of rights and freedoms which have come to be commonly thought
of as human rights include civil and political rights, such as the right to life and
liberty, freedom of expression, and equality before the law; and economic, social and
cultural rights, including the right to participate in culture, the right to food, the right
to work, and the right to education.
In the present age of democracy, there is always a tendency to put all
emphasis on the rights and to forget that rights also imply duties. Every right carries
with it a duty. If one has the right to follow one’s own religion, it is one’s duty to
allow others to follow their own. Rights and duties are equally important and that is
why our Constitution has laid down certain duties for the citizens along with rights.
The inclusion of fundamental duties in the Constitution is for the feeling of patriotism
and to give solidarity to the nation. These duties are incorporated with the purpose to
help the citizens follow a code of conduct, which would strengthen the nation, protect
its sovereignty and integrity and promote the ideas of harmony. The late Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi mentioned, “If people keep the fundamental duties in their
mind, we would soon witness peaceful and friendly relations.”
Our Constitution lays down that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India
To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals, the national flag and the
national anthem.
To cherish and follow the noble ideas, which inspired the national struggle for
independence.
To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
To defend the country and render national services when called upon to do so.
To promote the harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among all the
people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional
diversities, to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.
To protect and improve national environment including forests, lakes, rivers
and wildlife and have compassion for living creatures.
To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.
To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective
activity, so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and
achievement.
Nothing can be got without paying the price. If we want certain rights, we will
have to perform certain duties also. Every right implies a duty. These duties make us not
only good citizens but also responsible citizens.
Fundamental duties have put the fundamental rights in the right perspective. They
have balanced one thing with the other. Fundamental duties have been added to make the
citizens patriotic and make them realize the importance of protecting the sovereignty and
integrity of their country.
← Fundamental duties have been incorporated in the Constitution of India to
promote the ideas of harmony in the land of diversities and to strengthen the
nation.
Values When we think of our values, we think of what is important to us in
our lives (e.g., security, independence, wisdom, success, kindness, pleasure). Each of
us holds numerous values with varying degrees of importance. A particular value may
be very important to one person, but unimportant to another. are conceived of as
guiding principles in life which transcend specific situations may change over time,
guide selection of behaviour and events and which are part of a dynamic system with
inherent contradictions. Values the moral principles and beliefs of a person or group
Milton Rokeach (1973; 1979) “an enduring belief that a specific mode of conduct or
end-state of existence is personally or socially preferable to an opposite or converse
mode of conduct or end-state of existence”.
Values are beliefs. But they are beliefs tied inextricably to emotion, not
objective, cold ideas.
Values are a motivational construct. They refer to the desirable goals people
strive to attain.
Values transcend specific actions and situations. They are abstract goals. The
abstract nature of values distinguishes them from concepts like norms and
attitudes, which usually refer to specific actions, objects, or situations.
Values guide the selection or evaluation of actions, policies, people, and
events. That is, values serve as standards or criteria.
Values are ordered by importance relative to one another. People’s values
form an ordered system of value priorities that characterize them as
individuals. This hierarchical feature of values also distinguishes them from
norms and attitudes.
Ethics is Investigation into the basic concepts and fundamental principles of human
conduct. It includes study of universal values such as the essential equality of all men
and women, human or natural rights, obedience to the law of land, concern for health
and safety and, increasingly, also for the natural environment.
Activities
Group presentations on various religious beliefs and their understanding in today’s
world (i.e. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Jainism and
so on).
Module-V
Managing Diversity
Diversity refers to any perceived difference among people: age, race, religion,
functional specially, profession, sexual orientation, geographic origin, and lifestyle,
tenure with the organization or position and any other perceived difference. Diversity
is more than equal employment and affirmative action.
Elements of Diversity
Age
Gender
Ethnicity
Race
Physical Ability
Sexual Orientation
Physical Characteristics
Income
Education
Marital Status
Religious Beliefs
Geographic Location
Parental Status
Personality Type
Diversity:
The uniqueness of all individuals; includes everyone.
Diversity management
R. Roosevelt Thomas defined managing diversity as “a comprehensive managerial
process for developing an environment that works for all employees.”
Diversity management is about full utilization of people with different
backgrounds and experiences.
Effective diversity management strategy has a positive effect on cost reduction,
creativity, problem solving, and organizational flexibility.
Ensuring that diversity is made visible and fruitful remains a central concern of
diversity management.
Activity
Group presentations on various religious beliefs and their understanding in today’s
world (i.e. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judism, Jainism and so
on).