Analysis of Inbuilt Traits and Behaviors of Personality - Essay Example

Analysis of Inbuilt Traits and Behaviors of Personality Introduction Personality is inbuilt traits or behaviors that define an individual. This paper will analyze my personality in accordance with the two approaches to the unconscious with reference to module 4. First, with proper evidence from my own experience, the paper shall apply the cognitive and the Freudian approach to my personality. This will be in support of the cognitive and Freudian view to unconscious. Secondly, actual instance with own personality in consistence with self related motives shall be described. In addition, actual instances to self related traits (self-monitoring, self-consciousness or self disclosure) in accordance to my personality shall be discussed to indicate my score. Approaches to the unconscious Many folks have practiced the so called Freudian slip under various circumstances. Freudian slip is a misstatement believed to disclose the underlying feelings, and thoughts of unconsciousness. Consider this experience I had. I started a novel relationship with a lady I met while on campus, in fact she was my course mate. One evening, I invited the lady for a cup of tea in a restaurant on campus. While conversing, I called her by my ex-girlfriend’s name. If at all you would find yourself in such a situation, would you provide a clarification for this mistake? One would describe it as an effortless accident or blame the slip of the tongue. Though, a psychoanalytic theorist may explain in details why this is not just a mere accident or a slip on distraction. The psychoanalytic scrutinizes that; there are inbuilt forces outside ones awareness that directs an individual’s personality or behavior. A psychoanalyst might analyze my situation, as a misinterpretation resulting from the unresolved feelings I had for my ex-girlfriend or perhaps due to misgivings concerning my new relationship. According to Gardner (1993), Freud highlights that, the mind has two main parts. The conscious mind incorporates everything that one is aware of. This partly includes, the memory, normally not part of consciousness (preconscious) but can be easily retrieved at any moment and enhanced into ones awareness. This aspect is a mental processing that we talk and think about rationally. The unconscious mind acts as a reservoir of thoughts, feelings, memories and urges, which are outside ones awareness. (p. 43). Most contents of the unconscious are unpleasant and unacceptable, for example, feelings of anxiety, conflict, or pain. Even though there is unawareness of such underlying influences, the unconscious carries on individuals’ experiences and behaviors (Gardner, 1993, p.67). Calling the lady my ex-girlfriend’s name is not just an ordinary thing that I was aware about. It clearly indicates how I had unresolved feelings with her. In the recent times, it is apparently clear that, which has conventionally been correlated with motor functions (Cerebellum), is also significantly involved with sequential memorizing, learned skills, procedures, and stored facts. It is therefore a tremendous hasty brain’s co-processor thus appears to be the unconscious intelligence seat, the one referred to as the cognitive unconscious. Particularly, most of this unconsciousness engrosses automated cognitive processes execution. One afternoon in December, 2011, I was walking along the street of which there was a boutique shop. The boutique was distantly located from where I was trekking from, such that I could not rationally notice what prevailed in the show-window without looking keenly. That very night I had a dream about being brought a present by a close friend. The present was a cute trouser suit. In the morning, I closely passed the boutique shop, and noticed a trouser suit in the show-window which was exactly the same as the one I had dreamed about the previous night. Anyone would describe this situation as an ordinary one. Cognitive unconsciousness would therefore critically analyze such events. Subconsciously, I must have seen the suit the preceding afternoon, although I definitely did not become aware of it. In this case, my unconscious intelligent retained the information till that morning, after the dream occurred. The cognitive unconscious can both reason and remember. These are properties which are consciously characterized. The cognitive unconscious deals with complex situations. Intuition is part of the cognitive unconscious which compliments making decisions and thinking rationally. It is no wonder that much has given the impression of unintelligible and confusing, without a deeper understanding of the cognitive processes underlying concepts. If an individual’s behavior probably seems inscrutable and opaque to observational analysis, it is not merely due to the absence or presence of a given behavior, but for the reason that it is derived from the overt behavior of unconscious process. Self related motives and traits No terminologies can express my sense of panic and embarrassment. The end of the college semester is approaching. All of a sudden, I have discovered that there are various courses I have merely forgotten to attend. Term papers are due, and the final examination is just at the corner. It is too late to depart with a passing grade. Should I give up, or make a heroic decision to sail through? It is a frequent nightmare that haunts my night each time. I tell myself that everything is okay. I made it through elementary level, high school level, and graduate school. I never disregarded to attend a class for a month, should it be a semester? Never mind. As greatly I remind myself, the nightmare still recurs often than I may admit. Most folks face difficulty in letting go of the previous and old impressions of themselves. This is a factor termed psychologically as self-consistency motive. As much as one has an enormous motive to do things so as to improve self image, he or she has a surprisingly powerful drive to sustain a consistent self image. Modification of any sort in ones self-concept can be upsetting, even though it is in the positive direction. The outcomes may be that, one actually resists taking a step to improve his or her life. This may happen due to the consolation that one tends to give the mind. One is comfortable with the present feelings. If one accomplishes a particular cherished goal, he or she continues to think about oneself in terms of how he or she was before reaching it. The recurring thoughts such as mine can clearly indicate that I still cling to an old perception. I joined the college with a low image about myself i.e. having performed poorly in the previous level of education. Although I have consequently my main academic goals, a view of previous impression is still in existence. It probes up as a result of failing to revise the consistency for one’s self image. It is vital to maintain momentum in life and designated in coping up with new challenges. A deeper understanding of one’s self consistency enhances appreciation, of why he or she may encounter diverse emotions, about golden chances in life. Self consistency has enabled me to fear less opportunity for change, such as career change, and to marry or develop a solemn relationship. Desire for success assorted with the fear of transformation or change. Consistency of one self is a motive that is least appreciated by many. Yet it can strongly influence ones view on the possibilities about life. One evening I was strolling with friends conversing. All of a sudden we stood and it was my time to chart. One of the friends in the group shouted my name and asked me to say how I do it. He did not clearly state the actual action. I felt quite different and then kept quite for some time. Basically, my focus was shifted to myself. This it is termed by the psychologists as self-conscious. As explained by psychologists, this stress response resulted as a recipient of adrenaline’s shot. If the levels of adrenaline go too high, the brain stops functioning in a way one reasons clearly, and feels like taking off. Focusing attention to one self, i.e. in the mode of self consciousness, the topic one is to discuss is stopped. My score for self consciousness is rated highly since whenever I am asked to discuss a topic; I shift the focus to myself and think clearly before outlining the subject. Self conscious ability helps one in socializing especially while on college. To be socially good, one requires empathizing with others. In order to fulfill that, we are supposed to place ourselves in the shoe of others. In conclusion, it has been shown clearly in this essay that, most of people’s personality is directed by the unconscious. One requires a consistency motive to maintain a self image. Self conscious is an important trait in the social life of an individual. Reference: Gardner, S. (1993). Irrationality and the Philosophy of Psychoanalysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Read More