Understanding Human Development and Personality Traits

Physical Development

Physical and biological changes that occur in humans from 'womb to tomb.'

Cognitive Development

The progression of knowledge, problem-solving, critical thinking, and perception.

Psychosocial Development

Includes our connection to other people. It helps us how we put our personality, beliefs and values into social context.

Heredity

Our inborn traits that are passed on by our genes and biological factors.

Environment

World around us and our upbringing among others shape who we are as an individual.

Maturation

We age, we develop physically, cognitively, and psychosocially.

Self in Psychology

In Psychology, self pertains to experience of a particular person as a single and autonomous being that is separated from others' identity.

Self in Philosophy

In philosophy, it is the source of our consciousness, the agent responsible for our individual thoughts and actions.

Nature

The concept of Nature points to our inherited traits and traits affected by our genetic make-up.

Nurture

Defined as the complex combination of genes, environmental exposure and experiences, and cultural backgrounds.

Trait Theory

An approach in identifying types of personalities based on certain traits or attributes.

The Big Five Theory

A suggested group of personality traits that is used to describe one's personality, developed by psychologists Costa and McRae in the 1980s.

Openness to Experience

Curiosity, interest, imagination, and creativity to new ideas.

Conscientiousness

Reflects the tendency to be responsible, organized, hard-working, goal-directed, and to adhere to norms and rules.

Extraversion

Refers to how energetic, sociable and friendly a person is.

Agreeableness

Describes a person's ability to put other people's needs above their own.

Neuroticism

Reflects a person's level of emotional stability.

Personality Trait

A disposition to behave consistently in a particular way.

Measuring Personality

There are different ways to measure personality, including observing people's behavior and using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

A personality model developed by Katherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers based on four preferences of individuals.

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence

People who are good at reasoning and logically analyzing problems.

Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence

People that use words well in writing and speaking.

Visual-Spatial Intelligence

Often good with directions as well as maps, charts, videos, and pictures.

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

People that are good at body movement and physical control.

Musical Intelligence

People that enjoy listening, singing, and playing instruments.

Naturalistic Intelligence

People that are more in tune with nature and are often interested in nurturing, exploring the environment.

Intrapersonal Intelligence

People that enjoy to meditate, reflect and show self-discipline.

Interpersonal Intelligence

People that enjoy to work with people and form social relationships.

Existential Intelligence

People that delve into deeper questions about human life and existence.

Holistic Development

The self-actualization process in which the social, emotional, physical, mental, and intellectual aspects of a person grow.

Gestalt Theory

Emphasizes that the whole of anything is greater than its parts.

Katherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers

developed the Myers Briggs personality model based on four preferences of individuals.

E or I (Extraversion or Introversion)

is how an individual prefers to channel his or her energy when dealing with people, whether it is inward (introversion) or outward (extraversion).

S or N (Sensing or Intuition)

how one prefers to process the information, whether through the use of senses such as being able to describe what one sees, or intuitively like dealing with ideas.

T or F (Thinking or Feeling)

how an individual prefers to make decisions either thinking or using logic and analysis, or feeling which uses the cognitive senses based on values or beliefs

Jor P (Judgment or Perception)

is how an individual prefers to manage one's life, whether through judging, which means a planned and organized life, versus perception, which has a more flexible approach to living.