University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga

Claro M. Recto Highway, CSEZ, Pampanga

A.Y 2013-2014

Clarissa T. Sapnu

2012 29261

Prof. Nerissa Calma

Personality
Personality, as we know it, is defined as the characteristics or qualities of a person that makes
him different from other people. We usually use personality to describe ourselves or others. It could
refer to a persons physical, mental or social aspects. A major way to know and understand ourselves is
to determine what kind of personality we possess. Typically, we form personality judgments about the
people we know and they do the same for us. In this way, we get to know more about ourselves through
how they perceive or know us. It seems that personality is just a simple concept, but in reality it is very
complex. Hence, defining and understanding it is not easy as it appears.
Our personality can be traced from different determinants. The major determinant is heredity.
There are some studies telling us that our personality is inherited from our parents. This is quite true
because normally, we acquire some of our parents traits like our physical appearance. However,
heredity is not the only determinant of our personality. There are other external factors that could
contribute to the development of our personality. Some of these factors are our physical environment,
culture and sometimes even our experiences could affect our personality.
Determining our personality is very important. When we apply for jobs, our personality is an
essential factor that affects the possibility that we will be hired on the job that we are applying for.
Managers and employers uses different tools to measure our personalities. One direct way to measure
are personality is simply through observation. Various personality tests are also use to measure our
personality. Another tool is popularly known as the Myers-Briggs Type indicator which focuses on the
five major dimensions of personality extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to
experience, and neuroticism. The managers and employers then uses the information they collected to
determine if we are compatible with the job that we are applying for.
Personality has five dimensions, popularly known as the Big Five Model. As we mentioned
earlier, one of the tools in measuring personality focuses on these five dimensions. The first dimension is
extraversion. Extraversion is the behavior wherein a person prefers being around people rather than
being alone. You are an extrovert if of course, you like being surrounded by people. Extroverts also

prefer outdoor activities and tend to be very social. These people are generally good leaders and can
adapt easily to their environment. The next dimension is agreeableness. It is the tendency to be
cooperative and compassionate. People with this personality are perceived to be kind, trusting,
sympathetic and considerate. The third dimension would be conscientiousness. It is a trait wherein a
person is being careful or vigilant. Conscientious people are known to be efficient and organized. The
fourth dimension is openness to experience. It is the trait most associated with creativity. It indicates
the extent to which a person is curious and imaginative. And last but not the least, neuroticism. It
measures how a person handles negative emotions and stress. It is also referred to as emotional
stability.
Learning these five dimensions tells us how relevant personality is in our daily lives. There will
come a time wherein we will be performing multiple roles in our society. These roles will require
different sets of skills and aptitudes, which are tied up to our personality. Knowing our personality can
significantly help us know what kind of jobs will be compatible for us. It will also help us efficiently
perform and fulfill our duties and responsibilities.
However, personality is developed throughout a persons lifetime, so it cannot be easily
changed. There are times that we find it difficult to adapt with certain situations because of our
personality. Additionally, understanding the concept of personality is not enough in making us better
individuals. It is only one of the factors that will contribute to our success. Sometimes, even if we are
fully aware of our personality, we are still unable to choose the correct career paths since there are
other external factors that can limit our decisions.
The role of personality is important in our organizational life because the way we think and
behave can affect many aspects in our workplace. Our personality can influence our behavior in groups,
and our ability to make decisions. When a problem arises, we naturally face it based upon our personal
values, beliefs and traits. Placing individuals in jobs that are most compatible to them raises their level
of satisfaction and motivation. It can also improve the overall performance of the organization because
the employees are happy and satisfied on what they are doing. For example, a person who is sociable,
friendly and prefers activities that involves helping others will want to work as a social worker, counselor,
teacher or other jobs that are compatible with his/her personality. As the saying goes, find a job you
love and youll never work a day in your life.