You can often hear the assertion that character is given from birth. What if a person was born this way? Actually this is a myth. Character traits are formed throughout life from the very beginning. early childhood. The content and combination of these features are influenced by the social environment, life circumstances, culture and traditions of society.

Congenital features of the psyche or also affect the temperament, but this influence is not absolute, but is mediated by the interaction of man and society. Human nature is, as it were, polished by society. Therefore, with age, the character can change - some features become brighter, more distinct, while others seem to be muffled, go into the shadows.

About a person whose character traits appear brightly and leave an imprint on all his behavior, they say that he has strong character. Weakness manifests itself in inconstancy, instability personal qualities that make up the stock of character. For example, when at home a person manifests himself as a narcissistic tyrant, and at work as a coward and sycophant.

Thus, the character is a multi-colored mosaic, from the individual elements of which a unique image of the personality is formed. Speaking about the formation and development of character, they mean its individual features, important, significant for the existence of a person in society. And in every society in different historical eras it can be completely different personality traits.

Character traits and their classification

Any person has many qualities and properties, features of the nervous system, physiology, emotional and motor spheres. We are all very different, but not all manifestations of our nature are related to character.

What is a character trait

A character trait is not just one of the many qualities of a person, it is characterized by a number of features:

• stability, constancy;
• manifestation in various types activities and spheres of life;
• connection with the motives and values ​​of the individual;
• influence on the formation of stereotypes of behavior and habits;
• social conditioning, that is, the connection with the norms of behavior in society.

The presence of such stable traits makes it possible to predict human behavior. Knowing the character of your partner, you can say with confidence how he will act in this or that case. This greatly facilitates communication between people.

Trait classification

There are a huge number of personality traits that make up the warehouse of her character, and a simple enumeration of them would take too much time and space. Therefore, since the time of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, they have been trying to classify these qualities, highlighting the main ones.

For example, an Austrian physician and naturalist early XIX century F. Gall, developing phrenology (a science that allows you to describe the character of a person according to the structure of his skull), identified 27 basic properties that make up the warehouse of personality. These included the instinct of reproduction, the need for self-defense, love for offspring, etc. At present, neither innate instincts nor physiological characteristics of a person have anything to do with character, although they can to a certain extent influence his stock.

After Gall, attempts to compile a classification of character traits were made repeatedly, but all the time it turned out that some traits did not fit into this classification.

At present, it is customary to divide into types not character traits, but the spheres of their manifestation. Traditionally, 4 groups of such personality traits are distinguished:

• Manifested in relation to other people: individualism and collectivism, indifference and sensitivity, politeness and rudeness, goodwill and, deceit and truthfulness, etc.
• Manifested in relation to oneself: exactingness, self-criticism, self-respect, etc.
• Manifested in relation to the case: initiative and passivity, laziness and diligence, organization and disorganization, perfectionism, etc.
• : perseverance, perseverance, determination, independence, willingness to overcome obstacles and own weakness.

But this classification is also not complete, since it does not include such individual characteristics of a person that characterize his attitude to things: accuracy and carelessness, thrift, stinginess, etc.

Excessive emphasis on individual character traits

A variety of character traits, mixing, form that unique alloy, which is called a unique personality. If some features or a group of similar qualities dominate excessively, as if they stick out to the fore, breaking the harmony of the image, then they talk about. For example, a pronounced need to be always in sight, love for "window dressing", obsessive sociability and the desire to openly violate generally accepted norms of behavior speak of a demonstrative type of accentuation. And excessive aggressiveness, incontinence, a tendency to scandals and tantrums are signs of an excitable type of accentuation.

Psychologists evaluate accentuation as a kind of "ugliness" of character. Even if positive traits are highlighted, a person's behavior often becomes unacceptable, inconvenient for others. So, it is difficult to coexist with an excessively accurate person, to the point of fanaticism, and exaggerated cheerfulness and sociability can be very tiring.

As already mentioned, each era leaves its mark on socially significant character traits. So, in a society focused on individual success, the most important positive qualities will be considered purposefulness, initiative, diligence, independence, self-sufficiency up to individualism. And in a society where collectivism and the ability to subordinate one's desires to the requirements of the collective are considered the main values, individualism is rejected and condemned. But nevertheless, undoubtedly, there are also common positive features associated with universal human values. These include the following:

For example, in certain situations, each person can experience, but this does not mean his cowardice, if he is able to overcome this fear and indecision. Everyone from time to time experiences a tendency to laziness, the question is how much laziness prevents a person from living and developing normally. The same can be said about misanthropy. It is impossible to love all people en masse and indiscriminately, but if this trait is strongly expressed, a person can turn into a real monster. Generosity - good quality, but this does not mean that a person should give away all his property.

There are qualities that can be assessed as both positive and negative, depending on the degree of expression. And it is not always noticeable when, for example, perseverance turns into stubbornness, and the desire to protect oneself and loved ones turns into aggressiveness.

The main criterion for determining the ratio of negative and positive traits in your character, is the attitude of the people around you. Society is a mirror that reflects your true appearance, and you should take a closer look at it.

Each person has a unique set of qualities that define his personality. Interestingly, what are the traits of character, what are the types of qualities and how do they affect the character of a person?

What are the character traits?

Why deal with what character traits exist? In order to be able to determine the type of character of the interlocutor. And knowing what type of character a person has, it is easier to predict his actions, and this will help to avoid various unpleasant situations.

Even without being familiar with the topic, you can name many character traits, how can you understand which of them are decisive for a particular person? In psychology, there are concepts of leading and secondary character traits. That is, not every trait will manifest itself with equal force in human behavior. For example, a truth-loving and timid person will constantly endure ridicule from those around him, arguing alone with himself how wrong they are, if timidity is leading in him. But if truthfulness prevails, then he will tell everyone who they really are, deep down fearing the consequences.

Therefore, character traits are classified in relation to various aspects of life.

1. Attitude towards other people: rudeness, truthfulness, tact, deceit, isolation, sociability, friendliness.
2. Attitude to business: conscientiousness, responsibility, diligence, laziness.
3. Attitude towards oneself: narcissism, self-criticism, modesty, pride, self-confidence.
4. Attitude to property: greed, frugality, generosity, extravagance, carelessness, accuracy.

The main group is the attitude towards other people, because it is in society that the main character traits are formed, without assessing behavior with other people, a person’s character cannot be understood. If a person has some specific character traits overdeveloped, then this is called accentuation.

What is the character of a person with accentuation?

The most famous division into introverts and extroverts, closed and sociable people, respectively. But there is also such a classification of types of human character with accentuation.

4 types of character

It is not easy to figure out what kind of character a person has, because there are many classifications. From school, we know the concepts of choleric, sanguine, melancholic, phlegmatic - these are types of temperament, but they are often confused with types of human character. Temperament really has a huge impact on character. Therefore, in order to understand what types of character are, it is imperative to take into account the temperament of a person.

Properties, or personality traits, are characteristics that most accurately describe the deepest characteristics of a person, something that gives an idea of ​​​​his manner of communicating with society, responding to certain situations, not only at this particular moment, but also during long-term contact with others.

Personality traits can be of a social nature and be innate characteristics of a particular individual.

Classification of personality traits

The main character traits are usually divided into three groups:

1. The attitude of the individual to society, the surrounding people (in other words, the attitude to the external environment).
2. Attitude towards oneself.
3. Attitude to learning and work, that is, to activity.

Emotional character traits, such as apathy or cheerfulness, aggressiveness or good nature, impulsiveness or isolation, lovingness, capriciousness, irascibility, melancholy, and so on, are formed on early stage the formation of the psyche, that is, in early childhood.

intellectual character traits ( prudence, insight, independence, etc.) and strong-willed(masculinity, assertiveness, prudence, pedantry, etc.) character traits, on the contrary, are acquired during life, being formed under the influence of various external situations.

Characteristics such as the following are not personality traits:

In the formation of a person's personality, natural predisposition will be of great importance, as well as the influence of temperament and hereditary genes on it.

However, one should not underestimate the role played by the environment of the child in the formation of his character. It is no less important than innate features. The kid will know the world and learning to act different situations one way or another. At first, this process occurs reflexively, and then becomes the result of a conscious choice. It is this choice that determines further development personality, growth.

Main character traits

In any person, you can find an interweaving of a wide variety of personality traits, both positive and negative. While it is impossible to say with absolute certainty that a particular character trait is positive or negative, for example, a propensity for all sorts of adventures can both help in prosperity and create huge problems, depending on how deliberately a person participates in adventures.

Envy, for example, is usually referred to as an extremely negative personal property, however, it can encourage the envious person to move forward and achieve much more than others. In general, it can be said that the determining role is played not so much by a specific character trait as by the ability to apply it correctly, as well as its combination with other personality traits. But from a moral point of view, the most character traits personalities are usually divided into negative and positive.

Negative Traits

Positive features

The list of positive character traits can be very long, but the most significant include:

Of course, all of the above is not an axiom, and it is almost impossible to predict how a particular person will react to a particular situation, how he will behave in it, even knowing him closely. Besides, negative character traits can be:

• decrease,
• turn into positive.

However, this is achieved by long and hard work on oneself, and, unfortunately, not many people can do this.

Personal qualities of a personare complex, biologically and socially determined components of personality. By bringing together all the personal qualities of a person, you can get a complete psychological portrait of him.

Personal qualities are usually divided intopositive and negative. What are these qualities and can a person consist of only positive qualities?

What are personality traits

personality traitsexpressfeatures of mental processes, states and properties of an individual, his character traits, temperament, specifics of behavior, interaction with other people, the environment, himself, that is, all individual psychological characteristics of a person. In addition, the personality traitsincludehis knowledge, skills and abilities.

There are many classifications of personality traits and even more personality typologies based on these classifications. Psychologists have always been interested in the mystery of the human personality and they tried to sort it out “on the shelves”.

But why would an ordinary person (not professional psychologist) to know what personal qualities are? The fact is that knowledge generates self-awareness, increasesawareness. A person who knows what personality traits exist candefine them for yourself, and then indicate the paths and directionswork on yourself.

Also, knowing about personality traits, you can understand more aboutsurrounding peoplelearn how to build and maintain relationships.

The first stage of a relationship of any kind involves getting to know each other, which in essence is the clarification of personal qualities. When two people meet for the first time (be it a job interview or a first date between a man and a woman), there is alwaysneed to knowWhat kind of person is in front of you. It is not for nothing that in the resume it is required to indicate not only your work experience and basic data, but also list personal qualities, knowledge, skills and abilities.

So, if you need to know your personal qualities in order to understand how to further develop your personality, then knowledge personality traits another person is important insofar as it allows you to determine compatibility with him and suggest what kind of relationship can develop.

Positive personality traits are usually supported, reinforced and developed, while negative people try to correct, change or eradicate.

But the division of personality traits into positive and negativeconditional! It is based on generally accepted rules and norms of morality and ethics. You need to understand that such subtle matter as a person's personality, in fact, cannot be decomposed into “black” and “white”.

Personal qualities, which are usually called negative, are not absolute, butrelativelynegative as well as positive qualities. For example, in a situation where you need to stand up for yourself, aggressiveness (which is usually considered a negative trait) becomes necessary and simply necessary.

Personal qualities of a person can becongenital, and acquired. Certain personality traits are developed either under the influence of environment and society (upbringing) or are a consequenceself-education.

Many qualities, traits, features of behavior, abilities, skills a person can develop in himself,work out, so eradicate.

Of course, there are such personality traits that are practically not amenable to change, but still you shouldn’t hang up “labels” (both on yourself and on others)!

A person can always, if not radically change, then at least learn to compensate for some of his qualities at the expense of the development of others.

Negative qualities of a person, which are undesirable and require correction, all together would have formed not just a large, but a huge list. Therefore, here are just a few of them:

All these personality traits give rise to the correspondingbehaviorSo, a deceitful person lies all the time and to everyone, a lazy and negligent person is in no hurry to do the work, and an irresponsible person constantly lets himself and others down.

The presence of this or that negative quality spoils the life of the person himself and / or other people, but in any case, thisnot a sentence. By working on yourself, you can improve the quality of your life, relationships with others, and become happier.

Positive qualities of a person

The list of positive human qualities is as endless as the list negative traits. Perhaps the most revered and welcomed suchpositive traits, how:

These positive qualities give rise to correspondingskills and abilities: the ability to make friends, love, learn, create, work, and so on.

As you can see, both the list of negative qualities of a person and the list of positive ones include not only those qualities that express the attitude of the individual to other people and society, but also to himself, work, things, the world as a whole. All because the personal qualities of a personappear in everything: from who he works to what colors he prefers in clothes.

It is rare to find a person in whose personality there are only positive human qualities. But there are many people in whose personality structuredominated such qualities.

In any person, there are always conditionally negative personality traits, those that are worth working on, but their presence should not be a problem, but an incentive for development and growth.

Make it so that there is less negative, and positive personality traits prevail,available to every person!

Looking forward to your evaluation

Everyone is aware that each of us has a different character, but not everyone uses this knowledge. This is completely in vain, because having knowledge of a person’s character in service, you can predict his behavior and correct it personally.

Moreover, in order to understand the character, it is not at all necessary to communicate with a person for a long time, it is enough just to look at him carefully. We assure you that you will be able to see a lot!

Most people think that it is intelligence that makes a great scientist.
They are wrong - it's character.

Albert Einstein

Character as a personality trait

Character is a set of stable properties of the psyche that determine the characteristic features of relationships and human behavior.

Speaking of character, they mean a complex of personality traits that significantly affects a person’s actions. Character is determined nervous system and its development by the environment.

There are 4 categories of character, which form:

1. Attitude towards members of the team, society as a whole- responsiveness, respect for others, contempt, callousness;
2. Features that demonstrate the attitude of a person to his work- integrity, responsibility, laziness, passivity;
3. Features that reflect the attitude of the individual to himself- self-criticism, pride, shyness, egocentrism.
4. Features that demonstrate the relationship of man to the material- carelessness, neatness.

Classification of a person's character according to E. Kretschmer

Psychologist E. Kretschmer put forward a theory that character is directly related to the physique of a person.

Kretschmer's theory describes 3 body types and 3 character types that correspond to them.

1. Asthenics

People with a practically undeveloped chest and weakened muscles. They are usually thin, have an elongated face, long arms and legs ().

The type of character that such people have schizothymic- closed, stubborn people who do not get used to changing conditions.

2. Athletics

Tall people with a developed chest, strong skeleton and muscles.

They correspond xotimics- calm and little impressionable people who do not tolerate change.

Mental disorders in these people can cause the development of epilepsy.

3. Picnics

People of short stature, prone to fullness, with a short neck, inexpressive features.

The type of character inherent in these people, cyclothymics- Contact people expressing their emotions. They are quite easy to adapt to new conditions.

Mental disorders in them lead to prolonged depression.

WikiReference:
Ernst Kretschmer (German: Ernst Kretschmer) (10/08/1888, Wüstenrot, near Heilbronn - 02/09/1964, Tübingen) - German psychiatrist and psychologist, creator of the typology of temperaments based on physique.

Character properties

There is another classification that provides for 4 main character properties:

1. emotional- cheerfulness, balance, cheerfulness, etc.
2. Volitional- self-control, the desire to achieve success.
3. intellectual- prudence, observation, thoughtfulness.
4. Moral- Responsibility, justice, kindness.

Knowing these properties of a person's character, one can predict and "edit" the intended actions and deeds.

Personal status

Character is adjusted throughout a person's life. Lifestyle includes how a person thinks, feels, acts in certain situations.

With the formation of a lifestyle, the person himself is formed. Equally important are the life circumstances and social conditions that take place in the life of each of us.

However, the formation of character is carried out in different groups (class, company of friends, team at work). The character will depend on the status of the individual in the team, as well as on what values ​​are supported by the reference group.

The team creates favorable conditions for the formation best features character, and since this is a mutual process, the collective itself is also modified due to the personality. The character itself determines life values and the person's position.

Conclusion

People with one or another orientation in character can choose completely different ways to achieve the goal, resorting to own ways and receptions.

At the same time, character traits are clearly displayed in a situation where a person must choose tactics of behavior.