What is individuality?
What is group behaviour?
What is the real personality?
Personality Development is in fashion these days. Every small town is also full of many such institutes that claim to bring a total turn around in the personality of its students. But are they able to define the word personality in a sense acceptable to all? I doubt.
One definition is SWOT. As everybody must have read, this acronym represents strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The first two are individual variables while the other two are environmental variables. Some experts opine that SWOT is the personality while personality development includes the conversion of weaknesses into strengths and threats into opportunities.
Another definition is Mask Theory. Believers of this camp say that everyone has two personalities - the real one and the explicit one. They also say that no one, absolutely no one in the world today, can afford to be totally transparent. We have some animal instincts which are hidden in the garb of a social smile. Let us have an example. When you are just about to go to bed at the end of a hectic day and some relative or friend turns up, how do you react? The real one would be a frank reminder of the time and the social etiquette of seeking appointment before visiting someone, but in all probability, the explicit one would be to welcome them with a broad smile.
The third definition is based on the reaction to a stimulus. We all react to many things available around us. But this reaction depends on our personality. Same stimulus may evoke different responses from different people. Slapping to a staunch believer of Jesus may result in getting the second cheek offered while the same action may possibly bring a violent reaction from other people.
Which theory appeals to you most? What is the real personality? I am confused. I find some essence and practical wisdom in all of them. While the SWOT theory tells me what to do (convert weaknesses into strengths and threats into opportunities) while the mask theory tells me how to do the same. And the third theory gives me some tips to judge other people by observing their reactions to different situations.
One thing is very sure. Individuality and group behaviour are very different things. While in a group, one tends to sacrifice his very personal set of beliefs which may not be a very wise thing to do.
I must not allow my individuality to get lost in a crowd, or to use a better word, a mob!
