Chapter 1 Personal Development 5
You are a very unique person—one of a kind. There is no other person in
the world exactly like you with the same characteristics. Look around you to
see how different people look even though they may have similar features.
Even their voices and mannerisms are different.
How Personality Develops
One factor that makes you
unique is your personality. Your
personality is the combination of
traits that makes you the person
you are. It includes your habits
and feelings. Your personality
also includes how you think and
interact with others.
You have many personality
traits. Traits are qualities that
make you different from everyone
else. Certain personality traits are
desirable, while others are less
desirable. Some of your friends
may like your honesty, while
others may complain about your
laziness. Figure 1-1 lists some
typical personality traits.
Section 1-1
Your Personality
Objectives
After studying this section, you will be able to
• explain how heredity and environment affect personality development.
• formulate ways to enhance your personality.
• compare and contrast self-concept and self-esteem.
• identify suggestions for improving self-esteem.
personality
traits
heredity
inherited traits
environment
acquired traits
self-concept
self-esteem
self-confi dence
attitudes
optimists
pessimists
Key Terms
Personality Traits
Agreeable Easygoing Lazy
Aloof Excitable Loyal
Bashful Faithful Mature
Careful Flighty Moody
Cheerful Friendly Nervous
Confi dent Generous Responsible
Cooperative Grumpy Silly
Critical Happy Sincere
Delightful Kind Understanding
1-1 Which of these personality traits would your friends
use to describe you?
Vocabulary