A man without character examples. The manifestation of negative qualities of people in various situations. Positive character traits of a person

Character- this is a unique set of qualities that determine the originality and uniqueness of each individual person, his personality and behavior. Understanding character facilitates the process of communication between people and helps to avoid controversial or conflict situations. The very concept of “character” is of Greek origin and denotes the characteristics of the psycho-emotional manifestation and expression of an individual.

Character traits

Each of us, without much thinking, can easily and quickly name various character traits. This list can be very capacious. But in order to determine the characteristic type of a particular individual, one should know not only its main features, but also be able to indicate which of them are defining and which are only complementary. In modern psychology there are:

• leading traits, which in fact are the determinants of character as a whole;
• secondary traits that complement and individualize a particular personality.

Knowing the leading features allows you to determine the essence of all character, its “backbone”.

The presence of two identical traits in two people does not indicate the identity of their character. So, both have a love of truth and timidity at the same time. If the first one has fearfulness leading feature, then, most likely, he will not outwardly express his disapproval of the actions or behavior of others that contradict his internal beliefs. He would rather remain silent, arguing in his heart about the wrongness of those around him. And vice versa, if another’s leading quality is love of truth, and the secondary one is timidity, then he will not fail to point out to others that they are wrong, fearing only in the depths of his soul the consequences of his statements.

The characteristic features are divided into the following main groups in relation to various everyday aspects:

• attitude towards other people (tactfulness, friendliness, rudeness, sociability, isolation, sincerity, truthfulness, deceit, etc.);
• attitude to work, activity (responsibility, hard work, dishonesty, laziness, irresponsibility, etc.);
• attitude towards oneself (self-criticism, narcissism, modesty, arrogance, self-confidence, pride, vanity, etc.);
• attitude towards property and property (generosity, frugality, accuracy, carelessness, sloppiness, etc.).

The dominant group is the first (i.e., attitude towards others), since man is a social being, the main features of his behavior are formed and manifested in society. The assessment of behavior by others influences the formation and understanding of character as a whole.

Character Structure

The structure highlights features of both individual properties and those common to a certain group of people: national, age or professional. The image and way of life, features of everyday life, even language and national structure influence the formation of common features for groups and even entire nations. Thus, people of one nationality differ from another in their lifestyle, habits, type of thinking, etc. At the everyday level, typical common features create certain stereotypes. Most of us have our own idea about the inhabitants of a particular country, their habits and morals: the Italians, the French, the Japanese, etc.

All this is true to some extent: character is not an innate or hereditary trait, it formed in the process of personality development as a representative of a certain group or community. It is a product of society, which can explain similar or different traits in the morals of people of different groups.

Accentuation- this is the increased development of certain traits characteristic of an individual. Thus, a distinction is made between extroverts (open and sociable people) and introverts (closed and unsociable).

There is the following classification of character by accentuation, according to which the following types of character are distinguished:

1. Hyperthymic. The defining properties of this type are: talkativeness, sociability, such people have well-developed facial expressions. Along with this, such people are often irritable and frivolous, but at the same time they are very energetic and proactive.
2. Disthymic. The traits that define this type are isolation and pessimism. Such people avoid noisy companies, but highly value friendship; they have a heightened sense of injustice. When making important decisions, they are often slow and clumsy.
3. Cycloid. For this type of accentuation, the defining feature is the frequent change of mood, depending on which they are either withdrawn into themselves, or, on the contrary, sociable beyond measure.
4. Excitable. A distinctive feature of this type of accentuation is conflict. Such people are difficult to communicate with, are often authoritarian in the family, and are difficult to get along with in groups. They are neat and attentive when they are calm, but in a bad mood they are often irritable and hot-tempered.
5. Stuck. These are very intractable individuals who love to teach everyone. They often cause various conflicts to arise. The demands they place on others (as well as on themselves) are very high.
6. Pedantic. The defining feature of this type is increased (sometimes excessive) attention to detail. Such people do not strive for leadership; they are conscientious, but they like to grumble about any reason.
7. Anxious. Individuals with this type are insecure. They strive to avoid conflict situations, and in cases of such they seek support from others. Friendliness and self-criticism are also defining features of their character, but their lack of willpower often makes them the subject of jokes or ridicule.
8. Demonstrative. Representatives of this type of character easily make contact, can adapt to any situation, and are prone to intrigue. One of their defining properties is self-confidence, which often becomes the cause of disputes and conflicts. People with this character are artistic and courteous, they have unconventional thinking. They can often be boastful, hypocritical and selfish.

In modern psychology there are many classifications.

Types of temperament

Temperament has a huge influence on the formation of this or that type of character, which has been noted since the times of the Ancient World. Thus, Hippocrates divided all temperaments into four main types:

1. – a cheerful, cheerful, balanced person who soberly assesses the situation and acts thoughtfully.
2. Choleric– a person who reacts quickly to external events; he can often be unreasonably harsh and inclined to commit rash acts. As a rule, choleric people are hot-tempered and unbalanced.
3. – a person characterized by emotional stability and endurance. It is almost impossible to bring him out of a state of mental balance and peace.
4. Melancholic– an individual with increased nervous sensitivity; nervous stress and shock are strictly contraindicated for people of this type.

It should be noted, however, that in their so-called pure form these types of temperaments are extremely rare. As a rule, the temperament is of a mixed type (one type may have some traits of both phlegmatic and sanguine, both choleric and melancholic).

The relationship between temperament and human character

The words “character” and “temperament” are often compared with each other; they often replace each other.

In psychology, there are four fundamental views on the relationship between them:

1. unity of temperament and character, their identification (according to the teachings of E. Kretschmer and A. Ruzicki);
2. opposition of temperament and character, their antagonism (teachings of P. Viktorov, V. Virenius);
3. recognition of a person’s temperament as the core or element of his character (according to S. Rubinstein, S. Gorodetsky);
4. recognition of temperament as the natural basis of the entire character (according to L. Vygotsky, B. Ananyev).

Both the types of temperament and the types of a person’s character depend on the characteristics of his physiology and the type of nervous system. A person's character is formed when his temperament is quite developed. Temperament is the basis of character, but does not predetermine it. People with the same type of temperament may have different character traits. The type of temperament can influence whether it helps or hinders the development of certain character traits. For example, it is much more difficult for a phlegmatic person to cultivate sociability than a sanguine person, and a choleric person requires much more effort to become balanced than a phlegmatic person, etc.

The character and temperament of a person are closely interrelated with each other; together they constitute a person’s individuality, the foundations and description of his behavior.

Surely you have heard the phrase: “There are as many characters as there are people.” From a psychological point of view, this statement is correct, because no two people are the same. We are distinguished by our principles, favorite hobbies, reactions to various events and stimuli. It is the types of human character, the individual combination of personal qualities that determine people’s actions.

Temperament - features and classification

The definition of character is a set of persistent, relatively constant characteristics that determine a person’s attitude to the world around him and his behavior. Experts identify several criteria by which temperaments are classified.

It should be noted that psychologists consider temperament and character as two complementary concepts. The formation of personality occurs under the influence of individual behavioral characteristics. It should be understood that character traits are formed and manifested under the influence of temperament.

Understanding the terminology

Before moving on to the topic - personality education - it is necessary to understand the basic concepts, namely, temperament and character - what are the differences.

• – human behavior in various situations. This is a combination of individual qualities that a person acquires throughout life. Personality characteristics are determined by the social environment in which the personality develops.
• Temperament is an emotional response to external stimuli. These are innate human properties, determined by the biological and mental characteristics of the individual.

It is important! Certain character traits are revealed depending on the social environment and environment where a person finds himself. Temperament does not change and remains constant regardless of the conditions and accompanying circumstances.

In psychology, it is customary to evaluate only the traits and types of individual qualities of a person. We can say that a person has a good, bad or strong character, but such assessments do not apply to temperament. Based on value judgments, the specialist identifies personal shortcomings and selects a strategy to eliminate them.

Various typologies of individual qualities

The most popular is the typology proposed by the German psychologist Kretschmer. In his opinion, a person’s character types depend on the characteristics of his figure and physique.

Kretschmer classification

1. "Picnics" Outwardly, these are dense people who tend to be overweight, of short or medium height, with a large head, short neck and small facial features. From a psychological point of view, such people - cyclothymics - are emotional, easily make contact, and quickly adapt to new circumstances and living conditions. It is in this category that people prone to manic-depressive syndrome are most often found. Read about disharmonious personality development.
2. "Athletics". Outwardly, these are tall people with broad shoulders, strong muscles and chest. From a psychological point of view, people of the “ixothymic” type are practical and reserved. Character weaknesses - power, inability to show emotions and adapt to new circumstances. With complex psychological disorders, such people develop epilepsy.
3. "Asthenics". People of this type can be recognized by their thin physique, underdeveloped muscles, long legs, arms and elongated face. Psychological type - schizothymic - they are characterized by stubbornness, isolation and inability to adapt to life circumstances. People of this psychological group are prone to schizophrenia.

Character types in Jung's classification

Another classification was proposed by the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung. The dominant criterion of the typology is the dominant emotional functions - feelings, intuition, thinking and sensations. In his opinion, in every person, to a certain extent, the external or internal world prevails. In this regard, Jung classifies people into two types - introverts and extroverts.

Introverts are closed, focused on their inner world, and deliberately isolate themselves from external circumstances. They tend to analyze events, worry, listen to personal feelings, etc. It is difficult for such people to meet people and change habits.

Extroverts are direct, open to communication, and active. They have many friends, because the worst thing for an extrovert is loneliness. My favorite hobby is traveling, and my favorite way to relax is to spend time with friends, tell jokes and, of course, become the life of the party.

Personality by temperament

Another common classification is the comparison of a certain temperament with specific individual qualities. In this case, you need to take into account that in everyday life it is impossible to meet a person with pronounced traits of a particular temperament. People are more likely to have mixed types of temperaments.

1. Choleric - he is characterized by such manifestations as impetuosity, speed of decision-making, passion and imbalance. What character traits require correction - emotional imbalance and fatigue. Cholerics tend to quickly get carried away and waste their energy irrationally.
2. Phlegmatic - unhurried, emotionally stable, does not show emotions. What are the dominant qualities - perseverance, poise, productivity and diligence in work.
3. A melancholic person is a person who tends to worry about every even minor event. Character weaknesses - emotional vulnerability, excessive impressionability.
4. A sanguine person is an active, “alive” person with frequent mood changes. What character traits are dominant - reacts quickly to all events, easily experiences troubles. He has expressive facial expressions and high productivity in work, provided that the task at hand is interesting to him.

Many people are interested in the question of whether character changes. Indeed, personal qualities are formed and change throughout life. The process begins in early childhood. The first individual traits of a child appear already in preschool age; parents can identify a certain way of behavior and attitude towards the world.

If you want to raise your child with a strong personality, to develop perseverance, courage and endurance in your child, involve him in group games with a certain plot and rules.

How to build character and teach a child to work and responsibility? From childhood, assign simple tasks to your child, gradually complicating them. Thus, the child develops discipline, self-control, behavior is determined, and the baby learns to evaluate his actions and decisions. Thus, it happens.

A new stage begins when the child enters school, when his ability to communicate with classmates and perform new responsibilities is demonstrated. As a result of a change in environment and lifestyle, the child develops organization, accuracy, and hard work.

It is important! In childhood, the personality of the baby is influenced by the character of the parents and their habits. At school, the main role in character education is played by the school community - classmates, teachers.

A child’s character is revealed through the following areas during school:

• organization and systematicity;
• determination and perseverance;
• accuracy and hard work;
• discipline;
• consciousness of duty and responsibility to the school community;
• collectivism and camaraderie.

In adolescence, personal characteristics develop most actively, because at this age the child is attracted to adult life, and higher demands are placed on him. Feelings such as duty, responsibility, participation in the collective life of the class manifest themselves more consciously.

It is possible to change a child's character. Psychologists note that there are no children whose personal characteristics could not be re-educated. However, the process requires the participation of a specialist who can identify character flaws and select the most effective strategy for further action.

How to develop better personality characteristics

The best guide on the path to character improvement is a book David Brooks "The Path to Character". It talks about why many successful people say: “Yes, you can awaken your best personal qualities and fully realize yourself.”

First of all, a strong character requires education from an early age. The task of parents is to form in the child a certain worldview that determines behavior and actions. To do this, they use a certain system, which involves a combination of play, work and educational activities, in the process the child accumulates useful skills of correct behavior.

It is necessary to place the child in such conditions that the child’s activities fully comply with the instilled principles. You cannot develop strong character if you do not offer the child conditions in which he needs to show courage.

The most important means of developing a strong character is work. By entrusting your child with socially significant tasks that require overcoming difficulties, you develop in your child the following traits of a harmonious and successful personality:

• determination;
• persistence;
• collectivism.

It is important! One of the conditions for the competent organization of educational activities is the consistency of educational activities at school and parental education.

Self-education of character is the most important stage in the formation of personal qualities. Teach your child to read, because using the example of literary heroes he compares his behavior, learns to make decisions, and communicates with friends and adults. Another stage of successful self-education is the ability to restrain unwanted habits. Remember the expression - if you sow a habit, you reap a character. To avoid having to correct negative individual qualities in the future, pay attention to your children’s habits.

In order to promptly recognize and eliminate negative character traits, parents must interact with kindergarten teachers and school teachers. A child’s personal qualities are largely formed under the influence of the judgments and actions of adults.

About types of people and personal qualities - watch the video.

In the social life of society and in relationships.

Each person has special qualities and individual character traits. It is impossible to find two absolutely identical men or women. Descriptions of people's character are built from their actions, which affect their entire lives.

Character and dependence on body type

E. Kretschmer, a famous German psychologist, determined that a person’s behavior directly depends on his physique. He compiled a description of examples that fit into three main groups.

1. Asthenics are people with undeveloped muscles, quite thin with a small chest. They have an elongated face and long limbs. The psychologist united all such people into the group of schizothymics. These are often very stubborn people; it is difficult for them to adapt to changing environmental conditions. They are very withdrawn and prone to suffer from schizophrenia with severe mental disorders.
2. Picnics are people who tend to be overweight. They are characterized by a round face, short neck and small These people fall into the typological group of cyclothymic character. These are sociable people, very emotional and prone to quickly adapting to unfamiliar conditions. With psychological disorders they become depressed.
3. Athletics - have an athletic build, large chest and tall stature. Kretschmer classified athletes as ixothymics - unemotional individuals, domineering and not liking change. Severe psychological distress can easily lead to epilepsy.

This is the description given by a German psychologist. Now boldly approach the mirror and draw conclusions whether this theory applies to you or not.

The influence of temperament on character

Temperament is the characteristic vital energy of a person, which establishes one’s attitude towards life. It is often difficult to find a person who has only one temperamental indicator clearly expressed. As a rule, people have mixed temperaments, but knowing them, you can easily create a description of a person’s character, examples are given below:

• A sanguine person is an active person, characterized by regular mood changes. He reacts very quickly to all events that happen in his life. Failures and negative moments are perceived easily, without depression or frustration. Such a person has developed facial expressions, and he also completely devotes himself to work if it interests him.
• A choleric person is a very bright and excited person who reacts vividly to life events. He can quickly become angry and at the same time feel a loss of strength. Such a person quickly lights up with new ideas, but just as easily loses interest.
• A melancholic person is a person who takes everything to heart. At the same time, he is very impressionable and is easily brought to tears.
• Phlegmatic is a person who is stingy with emotions. The whole life of such a person is balanced and full of stability. Such people are valued in many companies, as they are distinguished by perseverance and high ability to work.

Formation of personality character

Many psychologists have written descriptions of people's character. But when is this character formed and is it possible to change it? Character manifests itself at a very early age. By the age of five, a child has established characteristics that are almost impossible to change.

Appearance and character of a person

And human character is an important stylistic device for writers. This gives us a complete picture of the hero. We see his positive and negative traits, a negative or positive character develops.

Describing the character of people is very important for solving serial crimes - specialists start from the repeated actions characteristic of a maniac. This creates an accurate portrait of the individual and even makes it possible to predict the actions of the criminal.

If it is important to make a detailed description of a person, character traits are a significant indicator. Especially in areas such as politics and journalism. You need to be able to characterize a person’s abilities by appearance, because real character does not always appear immediately.

As Victor Hugo used to say, a person has three characters: one is attributed to him by his environment, another he attributes to himself, and the third is real, objective.

There are more than five hundred human character traits, and not all of them are clearly positive or negative; much depends on the context.

Therefore, any personality that has collected certain qualities in individual proportions is unique.

A person’s character is a specific, unique combination of personal, ordered psychological traits, characteristics, and nuances. It is formed, however, throughout life and manifests itself during work and social interaction.

Soberly assessing and describing the character of the chosen person is not an easy task. After all, not all of its properties are demonstrated to the environment: some features (good and bad) remain in the shadows. And we seem to ourselves to be somewhat different than what we see in the mirror.

Is it possible? Yes, there is a version that this is possible. Through long efforts and training, you are able to assign yourself the qualities you love, becoming a little better.

A person's character is manifested in actions, in social behavior. It is visible in a person’s attitude to work, to things, to other people and in her self-esteem.

In addition, character qualities are divided into groups - “volitional”, “emotional”, “intellectual” and “social”.

We are not born with specific traits, but acquire them through the process of upbringing, education, exploration of the environment, and so on. Of course, the genotype also influences the formation of character: the apple often falls extremely close to the apple tree.

At its core, character is close to temperament, but they are not the same thing.

In order to relatively soberly assess yourself and your role in society, psychologists advise writing down your positive, neutral and negative traits on a piece of paper and analyzing them.

Try to do this too, you will find examples of character traits below.

Positive character traits (list)

Negative character traits (list)

At the same time, some qualities are difficult to classify as good or bad, and they cannot be called neutral. So, any mother wants her daughter to be shy, silent and bashful, but is this beneficial for the girl?

Again, a dreamy person may be cute, but completely unlucky because he always has his head in the clouds. An assertive individual looks stubborn to some, but obnoxious and pushy to others.

Is it bad to be gambling and carefree? How far has cunning gone from wisdom and resourcefulness? Do ambition, ambition, and determination lead to success or to loneliness? It will probably depend on the situation and context.

And what you want to be, you decide for yourself!

Every person is unique. He has his own unique appearance, interests, upbringing, predisposition to actions and character. Such features may be similar in different people, but the complete set of features will never be repeated. All this affects a person’s feelings when interacting with society. Understanding yourself can help

Character is a set of unique stable personality traits that reflect people’s attitude to the world around them through their behavior and actions.

An outstanding German psychiatrist divides into 12 types. Let's take a closer look at them.

Extroverted. People with this type are sociable and open, have many friends and acquaintances, are attentive listeners, but are frivolous and talkative, prone to gossip.

Introverted- the opposite of extroverts, the peculiarity lies in isolation, the desire to think, and adherence to principles.

Emotive- a kind person who knows how to empathize, but tends to keep grievances inside himself and has a small social circle.

Demonstrative type - people are polite, artistic, and interact with others without problems. However, they can be hypocritical, selfish, boastful, lazy, and will gladly accept power and praise.

Exalted. Very sociable, selfless and emotional people have this. The disadvantage lies in the tendency to excitement and falling in love.

Pedantic individuals strictly follow all the rules, are neat and reliable, conflict-free, but annoying and always dissatisfied with something.

Characters of people stuck type are typical for moderately sociable, fair, ambitious and leadership-seeking individuals. Their disadvantage is tediousness, touchiness, vindictiveness and jealousy.

Characters of people with hyperthymic They are optimistic, actively interact with others, are sociable, and have lively facial expressions. Their flaw is frivolity, irritability, irresponsibility, and a tendency to conflict.

Individualities dysthymic type - on the contrary, they are uncommunicative, friendly, serious and conscientious. The disadvantages include passivity, pessimism, slowness in movements.

TO cycloid include persons with frequent changes in mood and methods of communication.

Closely related to their temperament (that is, the mental manifestation of the nervous system). It is given to the individual from birth. With a strong desire or under the influence of the surrounding world, people’s character is corrected, but it is almost impossible to change their temperament. At best, this will only be possible by 20-25%. It is divided into four categories: choleric, phlegmatic, sanguine, melancholic. In their pure form they are not found in any person. Usually all groups are combined, but to varying degrees.