Psychology studies not only the general laws and patterns of mental processes and states. We are all different, unique and inimitable individuals, therefore knowledge of the individual psychological characteristics of a person is no less important than the mechanisms and processes of the psyche that are characteristic of all people. This area is studied by a branch of psychology called differential psychology, or the psychology of individual differences.
General and individual in the human psyche
There is a saying: “Another person’s soul is darkness.” This is true only for those who do not know psychology at all. And this science is quite accurate, and it claims that there are unshakable general principles that govern the mental processes of any person. Not only the similarity of physiological structure, but also the commonality of the characteristics of the mental sphere allows us to classify all people as one species, Homo sapiens. We even go through similar stages of development and we all experience the same age-related crises and difficulties of growing up.
In psychology there is a concept of norm, although it is quite fragile. Too strong a deviation from the mental norm is considered a pathology, is recognized as a mental illness and requires the intervention of a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
However, people are still different, and this is noticeable, one might say, with the naked eye, even to a person inexperienced in psychology. We behave differently in similar situations, we show emotions differently. There are differences in the course of cognitive processes, and in the level of intelligence, and in the volitional sphere, and in motor skills.
These features appear within the framework of general patterns, but they play an important role in creating a unique image of the individual. And at the same time, they help to understand her motives, desires, and predict behavior. That is, the individual manifests itself in general, and not only through the characteristics of behavior and external activity, but also at the internal level of consciousness.
Despite the diversity of manifestations of our psyche, when we talk about individual psychological characteristics, we primarily mean three areas: temperament, character and abilities. And if, for example, in cognitive processes the individual is only a superstructure, an addition to general patterns, then temperament, character and abilities can be considered as a manifestation of the unique uniqueness of each person.
When should an examination be carried out?
A forensic psychological examination of individual psychological characteristics must be carried out in any case - this is established by the Laws of the Russian Federation. If one examination was not enough, a repeat examination will be scheduled. Organizing this type of examination is a complex and time-consuming matter, but our forensic medical experts will carry it out efficiently and in the shortest possible time.
To order an examination, call phone: +7 (495) 204 13 54 E-mail: [email protected]
Temperament
The natural prerequisite for individual differences is the characteristics of the nervous system and, first of all, temperament. This term itself, translated from Latin, means “a mixture of elements.” Indeed, temperament is a complex of human qualities. Their various combinations give rise to a diversity of mental activity of people, which is manifested in four main types of temperament.
Types of temperament according to Hippocrates
For the first time, different types of temperament were described by the ancient Greek physician and thinker Hippocrates. He believed that the difference in people's behavior was due to the predominant fluid in their body.
- Sangva - blood gives a person strength, activity, perseverance in achieving goals, sociability and the qualities of a warrior and leader.
- Phlegm (mucus) manifests itself in calmness, slowness and equanimity.
- Holi (bile) makes a person active, even fussy, subject to frequent mood swings and sociable to the point of obsessiveness.
- Melan Holi (black bile) creates gloom, a mood of decline and indecision; people in whom this fluid predominates are sullen losers.
The types of temperament described by the ancient Greek scientist (sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholic and choleric) are still the most popular, although, of course, adjustments have been made to their characteristics. And now no one connects the characteristics of temperament with the prevailing fluid in the body.
Temperament in modern psychology
In fact, temperament is a dynamic characteristic of the psyche, and the difference in its types is associated with the mobility and strength of two main nervous processes - excitation and inhibition. This connection was discovered and described by the Russian physiologist I. P. Pavlov. He proposed his own classification of temperaments, which basically coincides with the Hippocratic one.
A sanguine person is characterized by high speed and strength of nervous processes, as well as a balance of excitation and inhibition. This makes sanguine people active, but without fussiness. They have high performance and a stable mood with quite bright and strong emotions. They are sociable, but picky in choosing friends and pragmatic. Business comes first for them.
A phlegmatic person, with the strength of both excitation and inhibition, is characterized by a low speed of nervous processes with a predominance of inhibition, that is, inertia. This is, in the literal sense of the word, a braking type. Phlegmatic people do not like changes in activity; they are unemotional and uncommunicative. They are slow-witted, but persistent workers.
Cholerics are characterized by high speed and strength of nervous processes, but their excessive mobility and instability. These are very active people with changeable moods, they have many friends, but they themselves are fickle and cannot do one thing for a long time.
Melancholic people are characterized by weakness of both the processes of excitation and inhibition, so their mood changes are not pronounced, and it seems that they are constantly in a state of despondency.
Properties of temperament
These types are not found in their pure form, because temperament is a complex combination of properties and qualities, and it affects all areas of the psyche. For the convenience of studying individual psychological characteristics, several of the most important characteristics that make up temperament are identified.
- Sensitivity is the sensitivity of the nervous system to stimuli.
- Activity – the degree of performance and the ability to maintain a state of excitement.
- The pace of reactions or the speed of mental processes is manifested in the speed of changes in mood, speech, thinking, etc.
- Extraversion and introversion - the level of sociability, communicative openness or isolation.
- Plasticity – ease of changing activities and rapid adaptation to changing conditions.
- Rigidity – resistance to change, loyalty to habits, stubbornness.
Temperament is largely determined by congenital factors and remains virtually unchanged throughout life. True, some of the most striking features in youth can be smoothed out, disguised and adapted to the environment with age.
Character
Temperament is the biological basis of another individual-personal property - character.
Character as a biosocial personality make-up
Being a member of society, from the moment of birth a person interacts with other people, learns norms of behavior, and absorbs culture and traditions. As a result, each personality is a unique fusion of biological and social, and character formation occurs in the interaction of these two principles. Therefore, in the same environment, people develop different characters. They are different even among twins, who have very similar biological backgrounds.
It's all about experience. From the moment of birth, we find ourselves in situations to which we react differently, not only depending on our temperamental traits, but also on external circumstances. As a result, we accumulate diverse, but absolutely unique experience, which influences the formation of character no less, and most likely more than the properties of physiology and the nervous system.
Character is a set of characteristics and personality traits that manifest themselves in all spheres of life and leave an imprint on communication with other people, interests, nature of activity, etc. It is not without reason that the term “character” from ancient Greek can be translated as a distinctive feature, seal, sign.
Character traits are quite stable; they are formed in childhood and are a kind of calling card of a person. But still, this personality trait is more changeable than temperament, since its content is influenced by life experience. And often, when we meet a person after several years of separation, we are surprised to notice changes in his character.
Character is a complex formation that has a complex structure. Therefore, there are many typologies or sets of basic traits, which are described by different psychologists.
Trait theory
The English psychologist G. Allport, one of the authors of the theory of traits, believed that each person is a unique and inimitable combination of individual character properties or dispositions (traits). By disposition he understood a stable feature of behavior, the individual’s readiness to behave in a certain way in a given situation. That is, character always manifests itself in behavior or activity, and in order to get to know a person, you need to interact with him, see what he is like in business.
There are central dispositions or traits that determine the entire mental appearance of a person, and they immediately catch the eye. Some are obvious workaholics, while others seek to avoid hard work. One is a cheerful, cheerful joker, and the other is always dissatisfied with everything and complains about everything. Some are bold to the point of recklessness, while others are cautious and indecisive. These are all central dispositions; we call them first when we are asked to characterize a person.
Along with the central ones, there are many secondary features. They are not immediately noticeable and require more time to recognize. Secondary ones, for example, include interests, hobbies, clothing preferences, tastes, etc.
Allport also identifies general and individual features. Being a part of society, a person from birth acquires the qualities inherent in most people from his environment, for example, what we call national character. Italians and Latin Americans are easily excitable and emotional, Norwegians and Swedes, on the contrary, are very calm, reasonable and slow, and the Japanese are characterized by contemplation and restraint.
Individual character traits are what distinguishes a person from other people. The more strongly they are expressed, the more vivid the individuality of the subject. However, if individual traits contradict the general ones, then society can apply social sanctions to such a person, express censure, for example.
Based on the theory of traits by G. Allport, methods for psychological diagnostics of personality were created, for example, factor analysis, tests by G. Eysenck, R. Cattell, etc.
Character Structure
Due to the complexity of this property and the diversity of its manifestations, there are many different classifications of character traits. So, depending on the sphere of the psyche, which plays an important role in human behavior, the following groups of traits are distinguished:
- Emotional, associated with the characteristics of the sphere of emotions and feelings: cheerfulness or gloominess, emotional excitability or coldness, etc.
- Strong-willed: decisiveness and indecisiveness, perseverance, perseverance, independence, self-reliance, etc.
- Moral: honesty or deceit, kindness and cruelty, responsiveness, courage, etc.
- Intellectual: curiosity, resourcefulness, intelligence, thoughtfulness, etc.
You can often hear the expression “a weak-willed person.” What is this? The characteristics of a person’s character are manifested not only in the combination of traits, but also in the strength of their expression. There are people who, due to a weakness of the nervous system or due to problems in their upbringing, have an unstable character. Some of his features are weakly expressed, especially problems are observed in the volitional sphere. Such people are called weak-willed.
Capabilities
Important personality traits are considered to be abilities that determine the individual style of activity and are the basis for its success. There are also qualities that provide the ability to interact with other people and are necessary to gain respect and authority from others.
Abilities and inclinations
Abilities are a complex system of human qualities and properties. Their biological basis is inclinations, that is, innate physical and mental characteristics, including temperamental properties. But not only. Often, inclinations are associated with the psychophysiological characteristics of the body; they are given to a person from birth and are necessary for success in a particular activity. But they don't guarantee it.
For example, an ear for music is required by a musician, and a high sensitivity of the visual analyzer is required by an artist. But this alone is not enough to master an activity, much less to achieve success. To do this, you need to develop abilities, and this is only possible through activity and requires the investment of labor and willpower. Mastery is not a gift given by nature or God, but, above all, work and perseverance.
Is it possible to develop abilities in the absence of natural inclinations? This is a very difficult question; there is no clear answer to it. Undoubtedly, in the absence of the necessary qualities, it will be more difficult to master the activity, it will require more effort and, perhaps, the achievements will not be so impressive. But recently, more and more psychologists support the idea that a persistent and persistent person can learn anything. The main thing is to give him the right training techniques. That is, to teach any person to draw, you just need to know how to teach correctly.
Feelings and emotions
An emotion is an experience that occurs after the satisfaction, or vice versa, dissatisfaction of any need. This is a reaction to any stimulus that is capable of forming a first impression, which is often lasting.
A feeling is a deeper and more complex experience than an emotion. It can be felt for a long time, sometimes even years, if you do not “work” with it.
For example, a person, having committed a crime, sometimes feels guilty for the rest of his life, until he decides to get rid of it with a specialist, realizing his mistakes and admitting them.
You can learn more about what feelings exist by clicking on this link.
Classification of species
- Moral. They appear as an attitude towards one’s own behavior or the actions of other people. For example, in society there are a lot of unspoken and even public rules, such as violation of personal space, ethics...
- Intelligent. Associated with cognitive processes and are a product of mental activity. That is, it is curiosity, doubt, surprise, confidence, inspiration, and so on.
- Aesthetic ones arise as a consequence of the perception of objects. They reflect the attitude towards them. Let’s say that when a person admires nature or an object of art, he experiences delight, happiness, surprise, inspiration...
