Personality is the result of interaction between the individual with his/her factors within and outside the body and mind. "Personality consists of some distinctive patterns of set of behaviors including thoughts and emotions which characterize the individual’s adaptation to the situations of his or her life". All in all, what we are is determined by situations surrounding us. In this article, let`s focus on personality development over different age-groups.
Personality from 0 - 2 years
Most often, many of us think that personality is all about the physical outlook that we acquire as we grow. People also assume that personality is not anything to do at the early babyhood (infancy and toddlerhood). In fact, it is not true, instead, early childhood such as infancy is the true foundation of the personality. This is because many behavioral patterns, attitudes and emotional expressions are being firmly established when we are young. The influences that a child undergoes creates a strong and long-lasting impressions therefore, this is a right age to create the most significant social values. Any behavior acquired at this phase have a lifelong influence on the child's adaptations to the crisis. The term 'infant' means an extreme helplessness as infant is completely dependent .Nevertheless, it is a time of rapid growth and development surrounded by a number of radical adjustments. The infant’s personality is the aggregation of a number of physical, social and emotional factors. An average infant weighs 7 lbs and measures 18-19 inches. He or she demonstrates spontaneous eye movements, yawning, and turning and lifting the head, as the growth progresses, child can gradually learn bowel and bladder control. At this phase common skills such as self-feeding, self-dressing, walking alone and climbing stairs can indicate that the child is normal. Infant`s vocalization such as cooing, gurgling, crying, can gradually develop into babbling, and the unclear speech. The baby can express emotional reactions in an intense and sudden manner for whatever the stimulus. These reactions may be comprehended as the states of pleasantness characterized by relaxing of the body and the state of unpleasantness characterized by tensing of the body. At the later phase, child can express emotions such as anger, fear, curiosity, joy, affection. Most important to note here is, babies who undergoes more of pleasant emotions tend to lay the foundation for good personal and social adjustments later on in life. The infant can develop self-trust by trusting in what he or she sees and hears. Feelings of distrust develop if the baby's needs are unmet which leads to personality issues such as clinging, greed, giving up easily, and demanding behavior, taking rather than giving, etc.
Personality in early childhood (2-6 years)
At this phase growth proceeds at a slow rate as compared with the rapid rate of Personality Traits . The most important psychosocial accomplishment at this stage is the development of autonomy or independence. If trust and security do not develop at this stage , a child fails attain autonomy . This is the phase in which the child begins to know the difference between right and wrong, which can therefore lay down standards of behavior and rules of conscience that can guide much of his or her behavior. During this phase, specific crisis is between initiative and guilt. If the child successfully passes through these behaviors, it leads to internalization of values which can make him or her to be able to differentiate between right and wrong. Anything that is taught wrongly at this phase can seriously hamper his moral and ethical behaviors in the elater stage. A child with faulty autonomy traits exhibits clinging and dependent. He may develop characteristics such as stubbornness, compulsive cleanliness and extreme self-control, intense anxiety or guilt or an antisocial personality.
Personality in late Childhood (6-11 years)
This phase is characterized by a slow and uniform growth growing at annual rate of 2-3 inches, and the average annual weight increase to 3-5 lbs. Child expresses pleasant expressions, although outbursts of anger, anxiety and frustration tend to continue occasionally. This is the stage child has increased ego control over basic drives. Behavioral characteristics including sympathy and concern for others, cleanliness, modesty, co-operation and willingness to share things can develop. The child now understands beyond the family and begins to interact with the social system. It is during this phase, the developmental tasks such as acquisition of social skills, incorporating social values and patterns, and competition and interaction with peers develops slowly. Failure in mastery of the tasks may end up with emotional instability, low self-esteem, inferiority and lack of confidence.
Personality in adolescence (12-19 years)
It is a period of adventure, storm and stress, action-oriented and highly unstable in many interests. The important vital changes that can occur during this phase include changes in body size and proportion and most importantly the primary and secondary sexual traits. A fundamental change at this phase can be the development of self-consciousness. Adolescents becomes more concerned about how others see them and react to them. This can result in making them apprehensive and extremely self-conscious. This is a significant phase where there is consolidation of personality .Adolescents are characterized by gaining independence from the family, sexual maturity, establishing meaningful relationships with peers of both genders, and ability to take decisions about life, career, and work. Adolescents try to avoid parents and they tend to conflict with them very often. The approval of their own age group is much more important than the approval of adults. Intense conflicts can occur if the values of the group conflict with those of the parents. Being a member of the peer group has a strong influence on the self-identity and self-esteem of the adolescent. Adolescents tend to behave in a way very similar to responsible adults but not stable always. Some of the problems that adolescent can face are identity-crisis, psychosis, neurosis, breaking rules of society.
Personality in early adulthood (20-40 years)
The term' adult' came from the Latin word 'adulius', -meaning grown to full size and strength. Theya re . At this phase, the individuals completed their growth and are ready to assume social status in the society. Adult’s physical and psychological changes accompany the beginning of reproductive capacity but their Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) comedown gradually. The 4 significant social expectations include choice of career, choosing a life partner, generativity and child-rearing capacity. If the young adult are being pampered by their parents, difficulties arise in forming intimate relationships with others.
Personality in middle adulthood (41-60 years)
Middle aged adults tend to decline in their physical development however, social maturity and tolerance grows slowly. Faulty lifestyles and social freedom may lead to diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer. A number of physical discomforts and mood changes may accompany. Women may enter menopause, and they may become depressed, hostile and self-critical with tendency to have mood swings but these can disappear once endocrine balance is restored. During this phase people are occupied with lot of responsibilities of work and family. Failure to gain appraisal and responsibilities may lead to marital, social or occupational conflicts which can eventually push them to addiction and substance abuse.
Personality in late Adulthood (60years and above)
This is the phase of ageing characterized by the wrinkling of skin, stooped posture, weakness, anemia, flabbiness of muscles, diminishing vision and hearing as well as loss of immunity. The elderly people are characterized by the loss of physical abilities, intellectual processes, and occupation and work roles, intimate ties (due to death of spouse). The main adjustments to be made at this stage are, adjustment to job loss, retirement, health, loss of spouse and loss of friends. If favorable factors such as retention of old friendships, satisfaction of needs, better social attitudes are gained, they foster their self-esteem and respect, nevertheless, without adequate support to sustain and bear the losses the older adult is vulnerable to a profound sense of insecurity. Despair and disgust can take over the person, including the feeling, time is running out and there are no alternatives possible at this late date.
