For this assignment, I chose to interact with a friend of mine, who is known to me for many years now. I thought it will help me in two ways. First, I will be able to perform better personality analysis, and second, thanks to the studies I’ve undertaken, I will be able to know her still better. Some of the info which I could gather by interviewing my friend is;
Does the interviewee remember information more accurately if he/she observes the behavior being performed or does he/she prefer to read how the behavior is performed?
Yes indeed, the interviewee remembers information more accurately by observing the behavior while some action is being performed. Her inner instinct seems to provide the uncanny ability to judge people while they are busy doing some action. Instead of reading about the action and then analyzing it, she finds it more convenient to record all the details of the behavior while watching it happen.
Does the interviewee prefer studying in a library, or at home where there are background noises and some distractions?
Though she thinks that the silence of the library helps in better concentration on one’s studies, but at the same time, the sense of loneliness inside the library hall, creates a kind of insecurity feeling in her. She appears more of a social person and instead of going to a library, she prefers to study at home surrounded by the normal noises of TV or music while interacting with other family members periodically. She prefers the study sessions interspersed by refreshing interactions with family members.
Has the person you are interviewing taken the Myers-Briggs test? Report the results
Yes, she did undertake the Myers-Briggs test. With the help of around 50 questions, the MBTI test helps in providing relevant information about the personality of the individual. In this case, as well, she was asked to opt for a score ranging from ‘very inaccurate’ to ‘very accurate’ in response to questions like ‘I tend to keep working on something until it’s done; I avoid unnecessary interaction; I focus far more on possibilities than present reality’ etc. and the results were summarized. The results are of course dependent on the truthfulness of the responses. But I am sure she has been truthful in her responses all through the test. Results of the test are summarized as below;
Her personality, therefore, comes out as ESFJ
Does your interviewee feel these results are accurate? Why or why not?
She feels the results are fairly accurate because I also found her more pronounced in her expressions about her feelings and her curiosity to know more about people around her.
Which experiences does this person feel contributed most to the development of his/her personality?
The experiences of her childhood, particularly the childhood interactions with her mother, seem to have a deep impact on her personality. For example, she grew up in an environment, where elders were not only showered all their love and affection for the children but respecting elders was also considered a solemn duty by the people. She seems to have picked up the threads from there as a way of life. Her helpful and caring nature expresses it all. The elementary things learned from her affectionate mother have shaped her personality.
Does this person feel that he/she is self-monitoring in regards to his/her attitudes? How or How not?
The interviewee felt that self-monitoring affects her attitude. She stated that at times if she observes something going wrong with friends, family members, etc. say, for want of a communication gap or misunderstanding she prefers to keep the matter to herself initially, as she feels spreading it out might further complicate the matters. She opines that in such matters time and patience are the best healing elements. But in cases where expressing oneself becomes crucial like in matters where it comes down to right or wrong, self-monitoring might not come into play.
What does the interviewee feel was the strongest influence on his/her attitudes?
It is said that ‘values are caught, not taught. This statement in a way sums up the learning process of values and ethics. Therefore, the values and attitudes of a personality happen to be the outcome of the influences that a person undergoes during her developing years. In this case, as well, the strongest influence on her attitude is the way she was taught to deal with certain situations and beliefs.
What role does your interviewee feel a person’s race, gender, or ethnicity play when forming that person’s personality and attitudes?
She feels that we are all fast becoming citizens of a global village, where the distances are no more a hindrance in interacting with each other across the globe. She opined that even the MNCs and other companies have also started realizing this fact and these corporate houses have also initiated efforts to harness this diversity to realize optimum benefits. She states that “Diversity not only comes in the form of culture and values, but it also consists of several other visible and non-visible factors, which include personal characteristics such as sex, race, age, background, culture, disability, personality and work-style.
Harnessing these differences is bound to create a productive environment in which everybody feels valued, their talents are fully utilized and goals are met.” She feels that in principle everyone is entitled to his or her feeling regarding race, gender, or ethnicity provided it doesn’t harm anyone. She attributes childhood value education to be a strong influence in shaping the personality or attitude as far as respecting diversity is concerned.
Does this person feel he/she is better at tasks when intrinsically motivated or extrinsically motivated?
She felt that intrinsic motivation, in general, helps in developing a personality and preparing a long-lasting attitude for doing something constructive. When the desire comes from within instead of someone else pushing us for doing something, there are more chances of getting the work completed within the stipulated time with the requisite amount of perfection needs for the job. The interviewee, therefore, felt that she is better at intrinsic motivation because she is doing something for enjoyment rather than rewards.
She believes that human behavior takes shape from the internal psychological structures called personality, which is instrumental in motivating the person for or against some particular action. Motivational factors arouse a need, propelling a person to channelize her efforts and energies in the direction of fulfilling those needs.
While for a student the need for better marks is aroused by the class teacher to improve the results of the school, class, and the teacher himself; it is the student whose inner voice has a crucial role to play in channelizing the efforts. Her contention is once the intrinsic motivation provides the momentum; the rewards are not far behind. But at the same time, she feels that rewards can be a motivation for a job well done, but certainly not as a demand to perform.