Character Formation

Character

The term character was derived from the Greek word “charassein” referring to an engraving instrument; originally used of a mark impressed upon a coin or the mark cut by it. Then it was applied to a distinctive mark of the personality; and gradually, to the sum total of such  marks, each individual is being called characteristics.

Character

   is defined as psychological notion that refers to all the habitual ways of feeling and reacting of a person that distinguish one individual from another. It is the trademark of being a person.

Character Formation

The process by which the individual through interaction of biologically transmitted predispositions with the environment, develops stable pattern of functioning, thinking, and feeling. Also known as “Character Building”. It is that deeply internalized patterns of values and attitudes and the consequent actions that are often established in precognitive times of life through the natural and normal educational patterns that are appropriate for young children.

1.Parental Influence

  Parental influence is the most important of all the factors responsible for personality development. The way parents behave with the child, how much he is allowed to socialize, the kind of culture he is subjected to by them, and the emotional make-up of his parents, all these have a great bearing on the child's mental growth.

2. Home Environment

Home as cradle of human character and personality largely contribute to the character formation of a child. It is said that the parents are the first educators of the children. It is their parental guidance and discipline that creates the kind of character, personality and attitude the child has.

2. Home Environment

  Parents child incorporates the positive emotions in his should make sure that the personality and stays away from the negative ones.

Culture

Sociologists found out that different cultures have different values and a child grows up with them, sub-consciously absorbing the same. Influence of culture in personality and social development cannot be ignored. Those who were born and grown up in western countries are influenced to be individualistic and competitive, while those children brought up in Asian, African and South American countries are taught to be cooperative.

3. School Environment

Once a child starts going to school, he learns how to interact and deal with his peers. He comes to know how to engage in "playing" according to the rules and regulations. He gets educated, learns how to read, write and communicate effectively.

Openness

appreciation for a variety of experiences.

Conscientiousness

planning ahead rather than being spontaneous

Extraversion

being sociable, energetic and talkative.

Agreeableness

being kind, sympathetic and happy to help.

Neuroticism

inclined to worry or be vulnerable or emotional.

1. Positive Character / Good Character / Positive Trait.

These are attributes such as integrity, honesty, courage, loyalty, fortitude, and other important virtues that promote good behaviour and habits.

1. Positive Character

a. Being honest and taking responsibility for your actions are admirable qualities.

Adaptability and compatibility are great traits that can help you get along with others.

Drive and determination will help you keep Drive ongoing no matter what.

Compassion and understanding mean you relate well to others.

Patience is a virtue and also a good personality trait.

Courage will help you do what's right in tough situations.

Loyalty is a good quality to possess, making others trust you.

2. Negative Character

A person's predisposition to commit evil acts.

A propensity for lying, in order to avoid responsibility for our actions, is a deplorable quality.

Being rigid and selfish, unyielding to the needs of others are not endearing qualities.

Being full of laziness and excuses is sure to drive others away, too.

A hot temper and an inability to empathize with others will also alienate us from others.

Being quick to anger will turn people away

Being disloyal, quick to talk about others behind their backs or, worse, stab them in the back for personal gain also falls high on the scale of negative personality traits.

3. Neutral Character

Common used to describe a person who doesn't pick side in disputes; neutral also pegs anything that refuses to be bold.

1. Self-realized Character

A person with this type of character is ever enthusiastic for he knows his potentialities and limitations. This sort of character is an asset not only to the family but also the society in which person lives.

Covetous Character.

This refers to a jealous or acquisitive character. It is held that, persons with greed will endeavour to go all out in collecting worldly possessions and fulfilling his personal petty ambitions by adopting any means open to him even crossing all the limits of moral and ethical limits.

3. Superstitious Character

In a way all are superstitious but when we're over superstitious then problem starts. It is not merely bad for the individual concerned but also for those who come in contact with this unpredictable person, who may change his tag any moment thus leaving everybody around in the lurch. Too much reliance on superstitions also robs us of scientific temper and forward looking approach in our life .But we should not compare superstitious and traditionalists

 Egoistic

The person who thinks that world runs due to him and everything and everybody should respect him as such. His overbearing and bossy disposition puts him in the category of hard-to-please (fastidious).This person learns his lesson after sometimes. This fellow with 1-DAMN-CARE- ATTITUDE' hardlycares for others. This sort of egocentric character is the bane of any society, irrespective of their status in the society.

Anti-social Character

A person who neither cares for the norms set by the society nor cares for the moral or ethical values is an anti-social character. This character is both a sinner and a criminal. He could also be termed as an offensive character. This like character resorts to offense besides being abusive on even a pettiest pretext. This anti-social behaviour cuts him off from the community in which he is living and has to fend for himself ultimately for his acts of omissions and commissions.

Insincere Character

a person who thinks others is therefor serving him and is without any warmth in the feeling for others. This like person is not only insincere to his own family, society and even to the Creator who had created him!

Complacent Character

We all should have confidence on ourselves. It is good for day to day functioning of our society. But when we cross the threshold of confidence and step into the realm of complacency then problem starts. A person who consumes this trait too much finally faces ignoble or shameful defeat for being so and learns a lesson.

1. TRUSTWORTHINESS

This is the pillar of good character that is considered the most complicated of the six core ethical values and concerns a variety of qualities like honesty, integrity, reliability and loyalty.

  When a person is trusted he is given a greater leeway and no need to be monitored just to assure that they meet their obligations. When they are trusted, we develop in them higher esteem which may be satisfying to them. They must constantly live up to the expectations of others and refrain from even small lies or self-serving behaviour that can quickly destroy relationship.

a. Honesty

  There is no more fundamental ethical value than honesty. Honesty is associated with honor. Thus, a person of honesty is a person of  honor and he is admired and trusted because of his being straightforward.

  A person of good character must be a person of honesty in both communications and conduct. Honesty in communications is expressing the truth as best we know it and Honesty in communications not conveying it in a way likely to mislead or deceive.

Truthfulness

Presenting the facts to the best of our knowledge. Take note that, intent is the crucial distinction between truthfulness and truth itself. Being wrong is not the same thing as lying, although honest mistakes can still damage trust insofar as they may show sloppy judgment.

Sincerity

One must observe genuineness, being without trickery or duplicity for it precludes all acts, including half-truths, out-of-context statements, and even silence, that are intended to create beliefs or leave impressions that are untrue or misleading.

Candor

In relationships involving legitimate expectations of trust, honesty may also require and frankness, candor, forthrightness imposing the obligation to volunteer information that another person needs to know.

Integrity

Persons of integrity are those who acts according to his beliefs, not according to his advantage. He is also consistent. There is no makes decisions from difference in the way situation to situation; his principles don't varyat work or at home, in public or alone.

Reliability

persons are those who keep their promises for he believe that doing so create legitimate basis for another person to rely on him, and that he undertake special moral duties. They accept the responsibility of making all reasonable efforts to fulfill their commitments. Because promise-keeping is such an important aspect of trustworthiness.

1. Avoid Bad-Faith Excuses

Interpret your promises fairly and honestly. Don't try to rationalize non-compliance.

2. Avoid Unwise Commitments

Before making a promise consider carefully whether you are willing and likely to keep it. Think about unknown or future events that could make it difficult, undesirable or impossible. Sometimes, all we can promise is to do our best.

3. Avoid Unclear Commitments

Be sure that when you make a promise, the other person understands what you are committing to do.

Loyalty

To be trusted one must be loyal to his or husband or wife, friends, employer, employee, organization, citizen, and country.

  Our relationships with other people creates an expectation of allegiance, fidelity and devotion. Hence, loyalty is a responsibility that each one should develop and maintain to promote the interests of certain people, organizations or affiliations. This duty goes beyond the normal obligation we all share to care for others.

RESPECT

  The Golden Rule in Human Relation, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, "perfectly illustrates "respect.“  When respect is observed we would prevent and pre -empt violence, a humiliation, manipulation and exploitation. It reflects notions such as civility, courtesy, decency, dignity, autonomy, tolerance and acceptance.  

Ability to Listen

When somebody is talking he is attentively listening.

2. Treats Others With Consideration

Respectful person doesn’t resort to intimidation, coercion or violence except in extraordinary and limited situations to defend others, teach discipline, maintain order or achieve social justice. They allow all individuals, including maturing children, to have a say in the decisions that affect them.

Capable of Accepting Individual differences and beliefs

Respectful individuals without prejudice openly accepts principles and ideologies of others. They judge others only on their negative character, abilities and conduct.

RESPONSIBILITY

  It is understood that life is full of choices and everyone has its own judgement and decisions to take in life. However, we are expected to be responsible for our actions and behaviours as rational being. Being responsible means to take charge and be accountable of the consequences of what we think and do. Our capacity to reason and our freedom to choose make us morally autonomous and, therefore, answerable for whether we honor or degrade the ethical principles that give life meaning and purpose. Thus, an individual must be responsible and accountable, pursue excellence and exercise self-restraint. They exhibit the ability to respond to expectations.

A. Sense of Accountability

  An accountable person leads by example and doesn't shift blame or claim credit for the work of others. He considers the likely consequences of his behaviour and associations. He recognizes the common complicity in the triumph of evil when nothing is done to stop it.

b. Pursuit of Excellence

  Responsible person shows diligence what he is doing, careful in his actions, prepared and informed. They finish what they started, overcoming rather than surrendering to obstacles. They avoid excuses such as, "That's just the way I am," or "It’s not my job," or "It was legal," and always look for ways to do their work better.

Self-Restraint

Responsible people exercise self-control, restraining passions and appetites (such as lust, hatred, gluttony, greed and fear) for the sake of longer-term vision and better judgment. They delay gratification if necessary and never feel it’s necessary to "win at any cost." They realize they are as they choose to be, every day.

FAIRNESS

  This pillar of good character involves issues of equality, impartiality, proportionality, openness and due process. It is unfair to handle similar matters inconsistently, and to impose punishment that is not commensurate with the offense.

CARING

  Caring is the heart of ethics, and ethical decision-making. It is scarcely possible to be truly ethical and yet unconcerned with the welfare of others. That is because ethics is ultimately about good relations with other people.

CITIZENSHIP

  This pillar of good character includes civic virtues and duties that prescribe how we ought to behave as part of a community. The good citizen knows the laws and obeys them. He volunteers and stays informed on the issues of the day, the better to execute his duties and privileges as a member of a self-governing democratic society.

Alertness

Being aware of what is taking place around

Attentiveness

Showing the worth of a person or task by giving undivided concentration.

Availability

Making own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those being served.

Benevolence-

Giving to others basic needs without the motivation for acquiring personal rewards.

Boldness-

Confidence that what is say or do is true, right, and just.

Cautiousness-

Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions

Compassion

Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others

Contentment-

Realizing that true happiness does not depend on material conditions.

Creativity

Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective.

Decisiveness

The ability to recognize key factors and finalize difficult decisions.

Hospitality

  A trait displayed by every Filipino characterized by heart-warming generosity and friendliness exhibited to foreigners and locals alike.

Respect

  This is often observed- not just by younger people- but also by people of all ages. In the Philippines, respect for one’s elders is a tradition.

3. Strong Family Ties and Religious

  Filipinos value their families so much that they tend to keep families intact through the generations. Families go to church and pray together. Filipinos believe in only one God and majority are catholics.

4. Generosity and Helpfulness

  Aside from being hospitable, Filipinos are also known for being generous. They share what they have to the people around them even when they only have little.

5. Strong Work Ethics

  Filipinos are also hardworking people. They always willing to work almost the whole day to provide the needs of their families. Filipino farmers though earning so little but they work harder with not much compensation.

6. Loving and Caring

  Because of their generosity, hospitality and religiosity, Filipinos are found to be the sweetest and most loving people in the world.

Fatalism

  When Filipinos are facing difficulties and shortcomings they have this attitude of leaving it up to God to sort things out. This have that strong confidence that everything will work out in his interest without doing anything.

. Mañana Habit

  True blooded Filipinos have the attitude of causing delays in accomplishing things or making transactions. When not interested or not in the mood, they wait or reserve until tomorrow or the next day to finish what they are doing or meeting their transactions. However, there are some Filipinos nowadays who take their time in doing things or in making decisions promptly.

3. Crab Mentality

  This is an attitude of some Filipinos where they tend to push each other other down to clear the way for their own gain. Filipino people with this kind of mentality or attitude try their best to ruin each other, either by making issues against the other for him to turn out bad to the public or to the company or organization so that people will gradually put distance and loss their confidence and trust that eventually result to their replacement.

Hypocrisy

  This is a trait of the Filipino where criticisms to others’ failure to live with the moral standards of the society are inevitable. In the Philippines morality is highly valued, most of us try to live up to the standards set by the traditional society. However, as no one is perfect, many of us are not actually able to sustain these standards.

5. Ningas Cogon

  Most Filipinos are very good at the start when doing something. Nevertheless,  after a few hours or days, that excitement to do or accomplish something is lost and we become too lazy to finish what we have started.

Tardiness

  When the invitation says the program will start at 7pm, it is expected to begin at 9om. Only in the Philippines that we have the so-called “Filipino Time” but not exactly referring to the Philippine standard time, but then again we use it to refer to the “tardiness” of the person.

Gossiping

  Filipinos are fond talking about others’ business. It is not true that only women are into gossiping. Even men can also be nosy on other people’s lives. Secrets are brought out; failures and flaws are emphasized; and relationships are destroyed. Worse, as gossips are passed around, they tend to be twisted until the final story becomes too far from the original- thus, causing more damage.

8. Blaming

  Filipinos can sometimes be too sef-righteous. When mistakes happen, we do not want to take the blame, we lack humility to accept our failures, and instead we point at others. This shows how irresponsible we are on our actions. This attitude destroys team work, and reliability becomes an issue.

9. Selfishness

  Most Filipinos are insensitive to the needs and situation of others. This could be an outcome of having too many problems that Filipinos are facing and the tendency is to focus on their own needs first before others.

10. Disobedience to Simple Rules and Instructions

  Some Filipinos, despite of the understanding of the purpose of laws and ordinances have inability to observe and follow them Consequently, crime victimization and accident rate in the Philippines are constantly rising, poverty is getting more rampant and lifestyle development is relaced.

11. Attention Taker

  Filipinos are fun and people loving race. Thus attracting attention is natural for them. Nevertheless, it is a different thing to be an “epal” or “kapalmuks”- simply, being an attention grabber.

12. Being onion-skinned or too sensitive

  Another habit or attitude that we need to change is our being too proud which usually results to being oversensitive. If we think highly of ourselves, then we have the tendency to put a wall around us and that a signboard on our forehead saying. “I must be respected”. Therefore, when someone makes a joke or a not so positive comment about us, we feel like we are not respected and we get offended.

13. Living beyond their means(social climbing)

  One of the reasons why a lot of Filipinos live in poverty is because of overspending. Since most people want to live an elite lifestyle, many resort to social climbing or living beyond their means.

14. Passivity (Lack of leadership)

  Filipinos lack of initiative for change is also one reason why our country does not progress. We keep on complaining against the government and other societal issues. However, we do not do anything about them. One of our excuses is the lack of faith that our small actions can bring change. If you can notice, in classrooms, churches, meeting rooms, most of us don’t like to sit in the front seat.

15. Other Negative Traits

  Some filipino women give birth at an early age 16 (Teenage Pregnancy). Some just don’t mind their own business. Some have many bad habits, like drinking, smoking, etc. Some poor teenagers engage in prostitution. There are many broken families.

1.Personalism

  Filipinos valued interpersonal relationship. It is firmly believed that harmonious personal relationship is the key to successful endeavours. Amicable settlement of dispute is the primary means of restoring broken relationships and face-to-face open forum is considered once conflict is recognized in an organization or the community.

2. Familialism

  Filipinos are family-oriented. Development programs and projects in the community are concentrated on the family. Decision on matters is centered on the welfare and best interest of the family rather than on the betterment and interest of some individuals. The mistakes committed by one member of the family affects all.

Particularism

Displayed behaviour by the individuals may it be good or bad is blamed against the family. It is based on the principle that home is the cradle of human personality and character that is, the product of goodness is always good and those who are moulded in wickedness, will always show off badness.

Values Orientation-

Is the approach that may influence work or social relationships by persons relating to objects, events and ideas.

Pakikiramay

It is in the Filipino value of going out of the way to help, without being asked

Pakikisama

Regardless whether someone’s views are agreeable or not, Filipinos are capable of getting along with it. Camaraderie, trust, confidence, and loyalty are enhanced and developed by this Filipino value.

Bayanihan

  Filipinos are able to render services and generous enough to extend help without compensation.

Galang

  Filipinos are basically oriented to respect to the opinions of elders, peers, or those in authority, during important discussions during social encounters. Verbal clash or any sign of extreme familiarity in public meetings is a sign of disrespect to elders or persons in authority.

Nationalism

Loyalty to one Country

An ideology and movement defined by promoting the interests of a particular nation, in particular with the aim of acquiring and maintaining the nation’s sovereignty over its country of origin.

  It aims to build and maintain a single national identity, based on shared social characteristics such as culture, language, religion, politics and belief in history, and to promote national unity and solidarity.

  It is therefore seeks to preserve and encourage a nation’s traditional culture.

Ethnic Nationalism

The country is described from prior generations in terms of ethnicity and descent

Civic Nationalism

The state derives political legitimacy from its citizen’s active involvement and the extent to which it reflects the “will of the individual”.

Expansionist Nationalism

A radical form of imperialism that includes independent, patriotic feelings with a faith in expansionism, generally through military aggression.

Romantic Nationalism

Otherwise known as organic nationalism and identity nationalism. Is the form of ethnic nationalism in which the estate derives political legitimacy as a result and expression of the nation’s natural. It is based on the presence of historical ethnic culture that meets the romantic ideal.

Cultural Nationalism

The country is described by shared culture, not solely civic or ethnic. Chinese nationalism is an instance of cultural nationalism, partially due to China’s many national minorities.

Third Nationalism

Nationalist feelings are the outcome of opposition to colonial rule to survive and maintain a domestic identity.

. Liberal Nationalism

Is a kind of nationalism lately defended by political philosophers who think that a non-xenophobic form of nationalism compatible with liberal values of liberty, tolerance, equality and individual rights can exist.  It is asserted that in order to lead meaningful, independent life, people need a national identity and those liberal democracies need domestic identity to work correctly.

Religious Nationalism

Nationalism’s connection to a specific religious faith, church, or affiliation. A shared religion contributes to a sense of domestic unity and a mutual bond between the nation’s people.

Pan- Nationalism

Ethnic or cultural nationalism refers to a country that is itself a cluster of associated ethnic and cultural communities (such as Turkish people)

Diaspora Nationalism

an ethnic population residing outside their traditional homelands. In this type of nationalism, there is a nationalist sense e.g. the Irish in the United States, the Jews in the United States and elsewhere, etc.

Stateless Nationalism

On nationalist basis, an ethnic or cultural minority within a nation-state aims independence.

Nationalism Conservatism

A political term, mainly used in Europe, to describe a version of conservatism that focuses more on domestic interests than conventional conservatism, while not being unduly nationalist or pursuing a far-right agenda.

Revolutionary nationalism

an ideological theory that calls for a domestic group united by a shared sense of intent and destiny, also known as radical nationalism.

Left- Wing Nationalism

Left-wing nationalism, also sometimes referred to socialist nationalism, relates to any political movement combining left-wing or socialism with nationalism.