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Introduction to Social Work
integration of traits or harmony among them, and (d) the over all pattern of traits, which we call personality. Variation within a definite range is considered normal; it is abnormal only when it becomes extreme enough to impair one’s adaptive capacities seriously. A number of factors are significant which affect a particular trait. The traits play a very important role in the development of an individual, if his position is very much above or below the average. The significance of a given trait depends on the pattern of all the traits.
Personality as the External Appearance and Behaviour of the Individual The external appearance of personality is related with the biological part of the human being. The bodily system is composed of fluids, bones, skin and musclar, connective and neural tissues. These components constitute the physiology of the organism. There is plenty of evidence which shows the interdependence between ‘mind’ and ‘body’. When the brain is injured or when small portions of it are removed, there is some disturbance in personality though often less than what one might expect. In addition to external appearance there is also a desire to create a favourable first impression on others. The first impression of a person gives others a clue to the personality of the observed individual. In addition, the first impression determines what others will expect of the individual, and their expectations, in turn, influence his behaviour. A person’s first impression may be based on physical appearence, facial features or expression, gestures, dress, name, nationality, race, what the person says