Initial Self Assessment According To The American Psychology

Initial Self Assessmentaccording To The American Psychological Associa

Initial Self-Assessment According to the American Psychological Association: Personality refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. The study of personality focuses on two broad areas: One is understanding individual differences in particular personality characteristics, such as sociability or irritability. The other is understanding how the various parts of a person come together as a whole. (para 1) In this course, you will explore seven well-known models that explain the development of personality. However, you probably already have some ideas and opinions about how personalities develop based on your prior learning and life experiences. This first assignment is meant to provide you with a baseline of your thinking about personality that you can compare and contrast to the theories we will be studying.

This paper will also be integrated into a section of your final assignment. This is not a research paper; that will come later. In this assignment, you will reflect on your current assumptions defining personality as they relate to your understanding of your own behaviors. Describe your personality, including your typical style, your main traits, the way you interact with others, and how you handle stress. Explain what it is that makes you uniquely “you,” and how you think you became the person you are today.

Describe the social and/or psychological factors you can point to that help support your explanation as well as any genetic factors you believe affect your unique personality. The assignment: Must be three to four double-spaced pages in length (not including the title page and references page) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Must include a separate title page with the following: Title of paper, Student’s name, Course name and number, Instructor’s name, Date submitted. Must document any sources used in this assignment in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center if sources are used.

Paper For Above instruction

This self-assessment is an introspective exploration of my personality, aiming to understand my unique traits, behaviors, and the factors that have contributed to shaping who I am today. Drawing from psychological theories and personal experiences, I will analyze my typical style, main traits, social interactions, stress management techniques, and the underlying influences—both genetic and environmental—that have played a role in my personality development.

Personality Description and Main Traits

My personality can be characterized as a blend of extroversion, conscientiousness, and emotional stability. I tend to be sociable, enjoying engaging with others and seeking meaningful connections. This extroverted tendency is complemented by a conscientious streak that makes me organized, responsible, and goal-oriented. I value structure and discipline, which helps me stay focused on my objectives. Emotionally, I strive for stability; I am generally calm and resilient in the face of challenges, though I can occasionally experience anxiety when faced with uncertain situations.

My typical style involves proactive communication and a collaborative approach in social settings. I enjoy working in team environments, contributing ideas, and listening attentively to others. My interactions with others are often characterized by empathy and a desire to foster positive relationships. I am sensitive to others’ feelings and tend to avoid conflicts, preferring harmony and understanding.

Handling Stress

When it comes to stress management, I rely on a combination of mindfulness practices, physical activity, and time management strategies. During stressful periods, I find that engaging in exercise, such as jogging or yoga, helps clear my mind and reduce anxiety. Additionally, I practice mindfulness meditation to stay grounded and focused. Proper planning and breaking down tasks into manageable steps enable me to avoid feeling overwhelmed. These techniques collectively help me maintain emotional equilibrium during stressful times.

Factors Influencing My Personality

Social and psychological factors have significantly contributed to my personality. My family environment fostered a sense of independence and responsibility, emphasizing the importance of education and perseverance. Growing up in a supportive setting, I received encouragement to develop my social skills, which enhanced my extroverted tendencies.

Peer interactions and academic experiences also played roles in shaping my traits. Positive feedback from teachers and friends reinforced my self-confidence and motivated me to pursue leadership roles, further developing my conscientiousness and extraversion.

From a psychological perspective, my resilience and emotional stability may be partly attributed to early experiences of overcoming challenges and learning effective coping strategies. These experiences have fortified my ability to remain composed under pressure.

Regarding genetic factors, research suggests that traits such as extraversion and neuroticism have hereditary components (Loehlin, 1996). I believe genetics have contributed to my calm demeanor and social inclinations, as these tendencies appear consistent across my family members. However, environmental influences have shaped the expression and development of these genetic predispositions.

In summary, my personality is a dynamic interplay of innate traits and life experiences. The social environment, family support, personal experiences, and genetic predispositions all interact to produce the person I am today. Recognizing these influences allows me to understand my behaviors better and set goals for personal growth and development.

References

• Loehlin, J. C. (1996). Heredity, environment, and psychological traits: A twin study. American Psychologist, 51(10), 1199-1209.
• McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T. (1997). Personality trait structure as a human universal. American Psychologist, 52(5), 509–516.
• Roberts, B. W., & DelVecchio, W. F. (2000). The rank-order consistency of personality traits from childhood to old age: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 126(1), 3–25.
• Watson, D., & Clark, L. A. (1994). The PANAS-X: Manual for the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Expanded Form. University of Iowa.
• Neisser, U. (1998). The rising curve: Long-term gains in IQ and related measures. American Psychologist, 53(1), 5-16.
• John, O. P., & Srivastava, S. (1999). The Big Five trait taxonomy: History, measurement, and theoretical perspectives. In L. A. Pervin & O. P. John (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 102–138). Guilford Press.
• Geen, R. G. (1991). Human motivation: A social psychological perspective. Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.
• Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. E. (2006). Gene–environment interactions in mental disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(10), 1678–1688.
• Roberts, B. W., Kuncel, N. R., et al. (2007). The Power of Personality: The Impact of Big Five Traits on Life Outcomes. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2(4), 315-337.
• Ebstein, R. P., et al. (2010). The Genetics of Personality: A Review and Future Directions. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 34(5), 657-674.