Taking a Look at Personality

Initially, in this country Americans have been raised with strong morals. Sit up straight, get your elbows off the table, act like a human being! In the American society most people are raised on proper etiquette. Follow the rules you will get far, break them no one will care who you are, where you came from, let alone what you're doing with your life. In the American society

ln our western culture today, society is not as strict about manners or proper etiquette. This is

Culture and personality are key concepts as well. Unlike personality, “culture is created by the individuals within the culture” (Colander 138). “Personality is the total organization of the inherited and acquired characteristics of an individual as evidence by the individual’s behavior” (Colander 138). In other word, the culture is already created and the person must now obey and learn the rules and practices. With a person’s

Etiquette is a hot topic in both of our countries. We both try to be as polite, kind, and as courteous as possible. In reality, most of the things Americans do cross French people as odd or estranged. In both countries, it is considered common courtesy to wait for the host of the dinner to tell you that it is okay to begin eating. One thing I did not know is that in France, it is improper to eat with your hands. In America, we have “finger” foods such as chicken, hot dogs, and hamburgers. In European countries, it is typical to see people greeting one another with a kiss on the cheek. However, in America, this is not the case. We do not go around kissing someone on the cheek in fear of not knowing how the other person will take this gesture. We do hug people to greet them, however. We hug, pat on the back, smile, and ask about health and family. In France, personal space is not as big of an issue as it is in America. The French only use about an arm’s length of personal space. In America, we typically ask for about two to three feet of space in our “personal bubble.” What is considered rude to do in public? Well, in France, it is rude to sniffle or pick your nose, spit, and yawn. Here in America these actions are considered fairly normal. When I walk down the street I hear people sniffling because of the flu, parents yelling at their children to get their fingers out of their noses, and

Chinese families are highly misunderstood and stereotyped in the United States. It is important to understand a different culture before one makes the assumptions produced by these stereotypes. In order to find a better understanding about Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans, one must do research on that countries heritage, traditions, and other customs before submerging one-self into a Chinese families home. I chose to experience and observe a Chinese family who was kind enough to let me be a guest in their home to share dinner.

Psychomythology is defined by Lilienfeld as psychological information that is false, inaccurate and includes a plethora of misunderstood stories and myths (2010). In 1955 George Kelly stated that members of society are constantly trying to explain and interpret each others innate goals and characteristics (Lilienfeld, 2010). The Oxford Dictionary Pro (2012) defines personality traits as specified personal attributes. Lex Borghans who studied personality traits as it pertains to psychology defines these traits not as temperament, morals or passion but as habitual responsiveness,

Leigh Anne Touhy is the fictional representation of the real life Leigh Anne, famed adoptive mother of Michael Oher from the 2009 film The Blind Side. Leigh Anne is a white interior designer, living in the south with her husband and two children. The family is considered to be part of the upper class, and made their money from owning a string of fast food chains. Leigh Anne and her family take in a black homeless boy, Michael, and throughout the film experience a growing love and bond. They eventually adopt Michael and the Leigh Anne becomes a fiercely protective mother. Very little is revealed about her upbringing

The personality is what makes every human being on the planet exceptional in his or her own way. To go even further, a lot of people are extroverts, some are just introverts, amusing, or just simply quiet. "The word personality derives from the Latin term persona, which means to mask. Those that are describing personality as a mask, view character as an individual that is their true self, when they are in public. It is that feature of ourselves we choose to show to the world"(Comstock, 2008). Numerous different philosophers out there trust that they have the greatest theory about personalities. Some really have the belief that genetics,

I am an international student from Dongying, Shandong Province, China. Dongying is a beautiful city with the Yellow River running through. It is named one of the six most beautiful wetlands in China. As is known, Confucianism is an important part of Chinese culture. I grew up in a traditional Chinese family and my father taught me lots of etiquette. For example, I am not allowed to address elder members disrespectfully by their names or eat before the elder members start eating. Taking back is considered impolite and is forbidden. The Doctrine of Mean teaches me to value moderation, sincerity, and propriety. As far as I am concerned, it is my culture that makes me the person I am. If I were not a Chinese, I would not have develop such habits and values.

In one culture, what may be excellent etiquette, may be shocking in another. Etiquette evolves within culture. For example, in Hausa culture, eating while standing is seen as offensively casual and ill-mannered, insulting the host ad showing lack of respect for the food is known as "eating with the devil." In China, taking the last item of food without offering it to others first is insulting to the host's generosity.

Through her writing citizens of the Western culture get some insight about the Eastern culture. They get to learn the experience of moving to a new socioeconomic culture, the language as well as being seen as different. Through her honest yet naïve nature, she critiques the Western way of being polite which she describes as superficial. She does not condone hypocrisy; to her being polite goes beyond words. The Eastern culture portrays manners as something that borders class and goes beyond the verbal ritual (Guo, 2008, 256).

Some key cultural differences between my American status and Thai culture is our greeting. In Thai I, would have to be aware that a simple, “Hello” is not an appropriate gesture, rather I should notice when I am speaking with someone of higher statue that myself and greet them with a “wai” or a sign of respect when greeting someone. This does not mean the person must be a king or a noble but rather anyone older than I. In return, they should give me a wai back. The same goes for children, they greet me with a wai and I return one as well.,

As an understanding of personality, it is said that the essential paradigms of a personality are defined by individual’s characteristics and behaviour. However over a period of time an individual’s personality can change due to genetics and the altering nature of the environment they are placed within. Personality is in reference to individuals variances in their patterns of feeling, thinking and behaving (Encyclopedia of Psychology: 8 Volume Set, 2000). This essay will be focusing on the basic dimensions of a personality and also the factors influencing personality change. This then will be contrasted against a study that develops that personality does not change over time.

Engaging in social topics and politeness rituals is viewed differently and might be confusing to a foreigner.

Chinese people pay special attention to modesty. When they communicate with others, they often respect others but look down upon themselves. They think this is a virtue and this is a polite phenomenon with Chinese characteristics. When others praise