Prelim-CharacterFormation
Character Formation
General Concepts of Character
The term "character" is derived from the Greek word "charassein," meaning an engraving instrument or a mark impressed upon a coin.
Each individual's unique mark is referred to as their characteristics (Bartemeir, 2009).
Character is equivalent to personality, encompassing social, emotional, and intellectual manifestations, denoted as personality.
What is Character?
Defined as a psychological notion that represents the habitual ways of feeling and reacting that distinguish one individual from another.
Describes individual personality and attributes; it signifies a pattern of behavior.
Character comprises relatively fixed attributes that depict a person’s characteristic pattern of behavior and personality traits.
What is Character Formation?
Character formation is a process as defined by Donald (2006), whereby individuals develop stable patterns of functioning, thinking, and feeling through interactions between biologically transmitted predispositions and their environment.
This includes internalized values and attitudes established from precognitive early life experiences (e.g., nursing, weaning, toilet training, sibling birth, early relationships).
Contributing Factors for Character Formation
Parental Influence
Most significant factor responsible for personality development, affecting mental growth.
Young children adopt their parents' mannerisms during their early years.
Home Environment
The home is called the cradle of character and personality, which significantly contributes to character formation.
Parents play a crucial educational role, providing guidance that fosters positive emotions while helping children minimize negative emotions.
Both parents are essential for the optimal personality development of a child.
School Environment
The second influential institution where children learn formal curriculum and hidden curriculum.
Interactions with peers, teachers, and compliance with institutional rules shape personality.
Culture
Diverse cultures provide various values that influence character development, leading children to absorb cultural values subconsciously.
Determining Character or Personality Types
Openness:
Appreciation for varied experiences.
Conscientiousness:
Planning ahead instead of being spontaneous.
Extraversion:
Sociability, energy, and talkativeness.
Agreeableness:
Kindness, sympathy, and willingness to help.
Neuroticism:
Tendency to worry, being vulnerable or temperamental.
Types of Characters
Self-Realized Character:
Enthusiastic individuals who acknowledge their potential and limitations; valuable to family and society.
Covetous Character:
Jealous or acquisitive individuals driven by greed to fulfill selfish ambitions, often crossing moral boundaries.
Superstitious Character:
Individuals who are overly superstitious, causing unpredictability negatively affecting others.
Egoistic Character:
Overbearing individuals who expect respect and operate under the belief that the world revolves around them; difficult to please.
Anti-Social Character:
Individuals indifferent to societal norms and moral values, often leading lives disconnected from their communities.
Insincere Character:
Individuals who express gratitude but lack genuine sincerity in their interactions with others.
Complacent Character:
Confidence is necessary but can become problematic when it leads to complacency.
General Types of Characters
Positive Character/Good Character/Positive Trait:
Attributes include integrity, honesty, courage, loyalty, and fortitude aiding good behavior.
Qualities of a positive character:
Honesty and accountability are admirable.
Adaptability and compatibility promote relationship management.
Drive and determination are essential for perseverance.
Compassion and understanding enhance connections.
Patience is a virtue and beneficial quality.
Courage empowers doing what is right amidst difficulty.
Loyalty fosters trustworthiness.
Negative Character/Negative Trait:
Linked with predispositions towards negative behaviors, such as:
Lying to evade responsibility.
Rigidity and selfishness.
Laziness and constant excuses.
Hot-tempered behavior impairing empathy.
Disloyalty, gossiping, and betrayal for personal gain.
Neutral Character/Neutral Trait:
Describes non-partisan individuals; examples include:
Judges remaining impartial during cases.
Maintaining neutrality on sensitive topics like politics and religion.
Boxers using neutral corners in matches as a strategy.
Negative Traits Associated with Character Formation
Fatalism ("bahala na" or "come what may" attitude):
Belief that events are predetermined; exemplified by resignation in difficult situations.
Manana Habit (procrastination):
Tendency to delay tasks, often saying, "I'll do it tomorrow."
Crab Mentality:
Jealousy-driven behavior undermining the success of others, demonstrated through workplace gossip.
Hypocrisy:
Pretending to uphold certain virtues while acting contrary, as seen in public versus private behaviors.
Ningas Cogon:
Begins tasks with enthusiasm but fails to maintain focus, e.g., hobbies started and quickly abandoned.
Tardiness ("Filipino time"):
Regularly arriving late, such as 30 minutes late for appointments.
Gossiping:
Spreading rumors or private details about others, showcasing a lack of respect.
Blaming:
Shifting responsibility onto others instead of accepting one's own mistakes.
Selfishness:
Indifference to others' needs, illustrated by actions like cutting in line.
Disobedience to Simple Rules:
Ignoring rules such as jaywalking or littering, reflecting disregard for social norms.
Attention Taker:
Constantly seeking validation or recognition, e.g., bragging about achievements.
Being Onion-Skinned or Too Sensitive:
Overreacting to light-hearted jokes or constructive criticism.
Living Beyond Their Means (social climbing):
Spending excessively to appear wealthy, often leading to financial strain.
Passivity (lack of initiative):
Waiting for others to take action; refraining from pursuing opportunities.
Well-Known Positive Traits and Attitudes of Filipinos
Hospitality:
A long-standing valued tradition characterized by warm welcomes and ensuring guests are well-fed and comfortable.
Examples include offering meals and warm seats to visitors.
Respect:
A cultural imperative observed across age groups, with specific practices including using honorifics (Po and Opo), rituals like "Pagmamano," and showing deference to authority figures.
Strong Family Ties and Religiosity:
Deep family values creating strong bonds; family units worship together, underscoring the importance of religion in daily life.
Generosity and Helpfulness:
Filipinos share resources generously, often prioritizing others' needs even when they have little to give.
Strong Work Ethic:
A common trait where Filipinos show diligence and commitment to their jobs, frequently working long hours for family support.
Loving and Caring Nature:
Warmth and kindness stemming from Filipino hospitality, friendliness, and deep-rooted faith.
Different Good Character Traits
Alertness: Awareness of the surroundings and happenings.
Attentiveness: Valuing individuals or tasks through undivided focus.
Availability: Prioritizing others' needs beyond personal schedules.
Benevolence: Providing for others without expecting rewards.
Boldness: Acting with confidence and certainty.
Cautiousness: Understanding proper timing for actions.
Compassion: Investing effort to heal others' pain.
Contentment: Recognizing that true happiness isn’t tied to material possessions.
Creativity: Approaching tasks from innovative perspectives.
Decisiveness: Ability to identify priorities and make tough choices.
Deference: Restraining one's freedom to avoid offending others' tastes.
Dependability: Fulfilling commitments, even at personal cost.
Determination: Committing to achieving goals in the face of opposition.
Diligence: Devoting time and effort to tasks at hand.
Discernment: Understanding deeper reasons behind events.
Discretion: Steering clear of actions that could provoke negative repercussions.
Endurance: Inner strength to manage stress and keep striving.
Enthusiasm: Exhibiting joy in tasks and accomplishments.
Faith: Belief that good character leads to positive outcomes.
Flexibility: Willingness to adapt plans as needed.
Forgiveness: Clearing grudges and releasing wrongdoings.
Generosity: Managing resources to provide help to those in need.
Gentleness: Showing consideration and concern for others.
Gratefulness: Acknowledging the impact others have on one’s life.
Honor: Respecting authority figures due to their position.
Hospitality: Cheerfully providing food and shelter to benefit others.
Humility: Recognizing that achievements are often collective, not just individual.
Initiative: Taking proactive measures without waiting for prompts.
Joyfulness: Maintaining a positive attitude despite difficulties.
Justice: Upholding truth and righteousness in decisions.
Loyalty: Seeking to support others in challenging circumstances.
Meekness: Yielding personal rights for the sake of service.
Obedience: Promptly following directions from superiors.
Orderliness: Organizing oneself and surroundings for efficiency.
Patience: Accepting situations without impatience or urgency.
Persuasiveness: Helping others navigate mental hurdles.
Punctuality: Showing respect for others by being timely.
Resourcefulness: Finding innovative uses for overlooked items.
Responsibility: Recognizing and fulfilling one's expected roles.
Security: Building a life around enduring values and principles.
Self-Control: Rejecting wrongful urges and adhering to proper conduct.
Sensitivity: Perceiving others' genuine emotions.
Sincerity: Acting with genuine intentions and openness.
Thoroughness: Being aware of factors that can undermine work or communication efficacy.
Thriftiness: Spending wisely, avoiding unnecessary expenses.