1. Creating a Personality Profile
This lesson will combine what you already know about your personality, interests and skills with your values, experiences, multiple intelligence's and passions, as well as the kinds of situations or people that might hold you back. Whew!
When you have completed this lesson, you will have developed a Personal Profile that will help you to make decisions, set goals and work towards a career direction.
To know yourself is a complex and involved process that changes as you move and grow through life. It is an effort that can be complicated by information that is available but sometimes hidden or not acknowledged. However, much information is available to you, including your past and present; and your dreams for the future.
It is important for you to consider your life up to the present, (the experiences you have had and the actions you have taken). It is important for you to reflect on your thoughts and ideas about a wide variety of topics. Think about the person you are today, but also consider the thoughts you may have about the person you would like to be in the future.
This is a time to think about the many qualities that you already possess. It is important for you to consider a wide variety of interests, abilities, skills, personality traits, beliefs, limitations, and strengths. Also, it is important for you not to limit your thoughts. You have many characteristics and traits; it's your advantage to consider them all.
Useful self-assessment does not just happen; careful thought and effort are needed. As well, assessing oneself once is not enough. Just as the process of living is ongoing, so is the process of self-assessment. Reflection and thought about oneself is a continuing experience that can be both informative and enjoyable.
Part of building a Personal Profile requires you to consider different aspects of who you are. One way of reflecting on these aspects is collect information on your learning and personality styles using self assessments. The online quizzes you are about to complete are designed to help you find out more about yourself. The information you collect helps you build a profile. Like a chain link fence, you will find the information from the different assessments can be connected together.
Please be reassured that your self-assessments are meant to serve as a guide to help you discover yourself. If you disagree with the results, that's okay. It's quite possible, that the questions are not always valid. When you receive what you perceive as a negative message, it is important to remind yourself that a negative message is an opportunity for improvement. In addition, there are positive sides to most negative messages. For example, if the results says you are shy, the positive side of shyness is the ability to be a good listener.
In addition to the quizzes done together in class, there are six self assessments to complete on your own. Be sure to keep track of your results as you go along so that you can complete the upcoming Personal Profile assignment.
1. Personality Style
Easy going, outgoing, shy, disgruntled, a good listener, a loner - who are these people? Or could it be just one person in a variety of situations, one person with many personality traits?
Each person has individual, non-physical qualities that make his or her personality unique. While there is no single definition of personality, it will:
o be the outward sign of an inner self;
o affect how one relates to, interacts with, and reacts to other people;
o affect one's view of oneself;
o be different from any other person's personality; and
o be developed over a lifetime, and will continue to develop.
Personality is a result of heredity, environment, and other factors. Heredity is the unique genetic information which you are born. It affects physical appearance, gender, ability to learn, emotional tendencies, and other characteristics. Environment, or the surrounding conditions that affect a person's development, is influenced by family, home life, friends, culture, school and the media.
A Metaphor for Personality "True Colors" is a metaphor for understanding human characteristics. It helps you see and use different ways of rewarding and supporting people's natural behaviours and values. Behind it, driving it, are these fundamental beliefs and guiding principles: people are intrinsically different. They strive to achieve a sense of self-worth from very different perspectives. Identification with these differences can be accomplished through the use of metaphors such as "characters" and "colour."
The "True Colors" metaphor has been developed from the work of Keirsey. According to Keirsey, there are four different colour types (Gold, Blue, Yellow and Green). A ll colours types are different in fundamental ways and they all want different things. They have different motives, needs, and drives. They analyze, conceptualize, understand, and learn differently. These differences create natural barriers to interpersonal communication, making understanding between people of different types difficult.
It is important to keep in mind that all people have all four colors as part of their personalities, although one will predominate. For instance, Orange is my first Color, with Green and Blue about equal as my second Color, and least like me is Gold. It is good for me to learn about all the colors, but to pay special attention to the characteristics of Golds if I am to understand and work well with them.
Take the True Colour Personality Quiz
Are you a thinker, always analyzing, like a GREEN? Do you prefer inspiring people and building their self-esteem as a BLUE? Are you the responsible one who is always on time and keeping everyone else on time like a GOLD? Or do you thrive on entertaining and persuading people, like an ORANGE? Take the quiz now and find out what color you are.
2. Learning Style
For you, knowing about learning styles is valuable because it allows them to explore ways to learn beyond your preferred style, therefore expanding the variety of ways you can use to learn. Such knowledge can help you learn better in situations where only less-preferred learning styles are presented.
One commonly used method of describing learning styles is to group the ways students prefer to perceive information:
o Kinesthetic/tactual learners attempt to feel, touch, manipulate, and "try things out". They learn best by "doing" and need direct involvement in what they are learning. These students may be physically demonstrative-for example, speaking and gesturing-but may be poorer listeners than other students.
o Auditory learners need to talk about what they are learning and how they are learning or how to use what they have learned. They are better listeners than some, but also need an opportunity to talk or participate in the discussion. They relate most effectively to the spoken word. Information may not mean much to them unless it has been heard; they may benefit by reading aloud to themselves.
o Visual learners need to see it. They respond to pictures, demonstrations, and learning that requires a good imagination. They relate to written information, notes, and diagrams. They often need to take notes, even if printed notes are provided during a lecture. Do not misinterpret this as not listening. Taking notes allows them to listen better!
Now, it's time to take the Learning Style Quiz. Discover your unique style of learning.
Again, think about registering to save your results. This will allow you to combine all your quiz results and give you a better idea of the type of work you would enjoy the most.
3. Multiple Intelligences
Multiple Intelligence Theory was developed by Harvard developmental psychologist, Dr. Howard Gardner, and focuses on different "intelligences" or learning styles. According to the theory, learners use most of these styles to some degree, but that each person has dominant styles and less-used styles in the learning process.
o Verbal/Linguist (word smart) - Able to use words and language by producing something with them (i.e., writers and public speakers), as well as listening and reading; may enjoy crossword puzzles and telling stories.
o Logical/Mathematical (number smart) - Able to work with numbers and their relationships to each other, and use abstract concepts and inductive or deductive reasoning to solve problems; includes the ability to make connections between pieces of information; may enjoy strategy games and experiments.
o Visual/Spatial (picture smart) - Able to picture an object in one's mind, to create mental images; think in images and pictures (i.e., painters, sculptors, navigators, architects); may enjoy chess or other games which require being able to imagine pieces in different positions before they are moved.
o Bodily/Kinesthetic (body smart) - Able to process knowledge through bodily sensations, understand one's physical movement and functions of the body, effectively use the body to express emotions, interpret body language of other people, play games or do other physical activities, such as building or making something; may enjoy athletics, dancing, or crafts.
o Musical/Rhythmic (music smart) - Able to recognize patterns in tone, rhythm, and beat, as well as create such patterns; includes sounds in the environment, the human voice, and music; often are discriminating listeners; may notice sounds that others may miss; may enjoy humming and singing.
o Interpersonal (people smart) - Able to communicate and interact easily with other people, and understand and empathize with their moods and feelings; may often be the leader among their peers; includes the abilities of a counsellor or teacher.
o Intrapersonal (self smart) - Able to understand oneself and one's own feelings and emotional responses, self-reflect (i.e., to "think about thinking" and other questions and ideas that cannot be answered by facts, such as philosophy); may appear shy; self motivated.
o Naturalist (nature smart) - Able to observe, understand, collect, and categorize (organize patterns) in the natural and human environment; may enjoy collecting and organizing collections, or keeping notes about a collection.
Take the Multiple Intelligence Quiz
The quizzes from the JobsEtc.ca (Government of Canada) are designed as a starting point in self discovery. Through the Career Quizzes you can explore your abilities, interests and preferences as part of making a career decision. The Multiple Intelligence Quiz can be used to make any learning situation work for you.
Register to save your results. This will allow you to combine all your quiz results and give you a better idea of the type of work you would enjoy the most.
4. Myers - Briggs
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test is based on the work of Carl Jung in the early 1900s and has been developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers. It is one of the most widely used personality assessment tool and can help to understand how and why we feel and think the way we do. The theory is based on four personality preferences:
Extroversion (E) - (I) Introversion
Sensing (S) - (N) Intuition
Thinking (T) - (F) Feeling
Judgement (J) - (P) Perception
The four preferences in more detail Where, primarily, do you prefer to direct your energy?
o If you prefer to direct your energy to deal with people, things, situations, or "the outer world", then your preference is for Extraversion. This is denoted by the letter "E".
o If you prefer to direct your energy to deal with ideas, information, explanations or beliefs, or "the inner world", then your preference is for Introversion. This is denoted by the letter "I".
How do you prefer to process information?
o If you prefer to deal with facts, what you know, to have clarity, or to describe what you see, then your preference is for Sensing. This is denoted by the letter "S".
o If you prefer to deal with ideas, look into the unknown, to generate new possi2bilities or to anticipate what isn't obvious, then your preference is forIntuition. This is denoted by the letter "N" (the letter I has already been used for Introversion).
How do you prefer to make decisions?
o If you prefer to decide on the basis of objective logic, using an analytic and detached approach, then your preference is for Thinking. This is denoted by the letter "T".
o If you prefer to decide using values and/or personal beliefs, on the basis of what you believe is important or what you or others care about, then your preference is for Feeling. This is denoted by the letter "F".
How do you prefer to organise your life?
o If you prefer your life to be planned, stable and organised then your preference is for Judging (not to be confused with 'Judgmental', which is quite different). This is denoted by the letter "J".
o If you prefer to go with the flow, to maintain flexibility and respond to things as they arise, then your preference is for Perception. This is denoted by the letter "P".
Myers Briggs Types
When you put these four letters together, you get your personality type code, and there are sixteen combinations. For example, INTJ indicates that you prefer Introversion, iNtuition, Thinking and Judging (remember, this indicates preferences only - an INTJ also uses Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling and Perception).
This unique profile can be used in a number of ways, such as finding an appropriate career or identifying your natural leadership style.
Your personality preference is translated into a combination of these letters and indicates parts of your personality. Take the Myers Briggs and find out which one you are. An explanation of your type will follow after the test.
5. Work Style
This quiz will assist you in determining your areas of interest by helping you identify the degree to which you enjoy working with data/information, people or things.
The Work Value Quiz will outline values that are important clues to what kind of work and work conditions you would like. Hopefully, the quiz can help you determine your work motivations, your preferred work setting, how you like to interact with others, and your work style.
Assignment: Building Your Personal Summary
From your work in the personality self assessments, complete the following assignment.
Summary: In a question and answer format, complete the following information, labeling each question carefully. Make sure you answereverything the question is asking you.
1. Top three intelligences: As identified by the quiz. What did each intelligence mean, and suggest two careers or occupations for each of your top three intelligences.
2. Learning Style: Your preferred learning style with three strategies that will help you learn
3. Colour: From the True Colours quiz, state which colour is most like you. If you have difficulty deciding between two colours, ask a friend, a teacher, or a parent/guardian for his or her opinion. List your characteristics, strengths, and needs for that colour.
4. Work Style: Your preferred work style
5. Personality Type: Which personality type you are and 5 characteristics of that type as indicated in the Myers-Briggs.
6. Common Themes: What themes did you notice about yourself among the various quizzes.
7. Occupations: Two occupations that may have appeared more than once.
8. Surprises: Anything that came up in the quizzes that surprised you (both positive and negative)
9. Final Assessment: Do you agree with the results of all your quizzes? Why or Why not?
This assignment is worth 27 marks.
When you have completed this lesson, you will have developed a Personal Profile that will help you to make decisions, set goals and work towards a career direction.
To know yourself is a complex and involved process that changes as you move and grow through life. It is an effort that can be complicated by information that is available but sometimes hidden or not acknowledged. However, much information is available to you, including your past and present; and your dreams for the future.
It is important for you to consider your life up to the present, (the experiences you have had and the actions you have taken). It is important for you to reflect on your thoughts and ideas about a wide variety of topics. Think about the person you are today, but also consider the thoughts you may have about the person you would like to be in the future.
This is a time to think about the many qualities that you already possess. It is important for you to consider a wide variety of interests, abilities, skills, personality traits, beliefs, limitations, and strengths. Also, it is important for you not to limit your thoughts. You have many characteristics and traits; it's your advantage to consider them all.
Useful self-assessment does not just happen; careful thought and effort are needed. As well, assessing oneself once is not enough. Just as the process of living is ongoing, so is the process of self-assessment. Reflection and thought about oneself is a continuing experience that can be both informative and enjoyable.
Part of building a Personal Profile requires you to consider different aspects of who you are. One way of reflecting on these aspects is collect information on your learning and personality styles using self assessments. The online quizzes you are about to complete are designed to help you find out more about yourself. The information you collect helps you build a profile. Like a chain link fence, you will find the information from the different assessments can be connected together.
Please be reassured that your self-assessments are meant to serve as a guide to help you discover yourself. If you disagree with the results, that's okay. It's quite possible, that the questions are not always valid. When you receive what you perceive as a negative message, it is important to remind yourself that a negative message is an opportunity for improvement. In addition, there are positive sides to most negative messages. For example, if the results says you are shy, the positive side of shyness is the ability to be a good listener.
In addition to the quizzes done together in class, there are six self assessments to complete on your own. Be sure to keep track of your results as you go along so that you can complete the upcoming Personal Profile assignment.
1. Personality Style
Easy going, outgoing, shy, disgruntled, a good listener, a loner - who are these people? Or could it be just one person in a variety of situations, one person with many personality traits?
Each person has individual, non-physical qualities that make his or her personality unique. While there is no single definition of personality, it will:
o be the outward sign of an inner self;
o affect how one relates to, interacts with, and reacts to other people;
o affect one's view of oneself;
o be different from any other person's personality; and
o be developed over a lifetime, and will continue to develop.
Personality is a result of heredity, environment, and other factors. Heredity is the unique genetic information which you are born. It affects physical appearance, gender, ability to learn, emotional tendencies, and other characteristics. Environment, or the surrounding conditions that affect a person's development, is influenced by family, home life, friends, culture, school and the media.
A Metaphor for Personality "True Colors" is a metaphor for understanding human characteristics. It helps you see and use different ways of rewarding and supporting people's natural behaviours and values. Behind it, driving it, are these fundamental beliefs and guiding principles: people are intrinsically different. They strive to achieve a sense of self-worth from very different perspectives. Identification with these differences can be accomplished through the use of metaphors such as "characters" and "colour."
The "True Colors" metaphor has been developed from the work of Keirsey. According to Keirsey, there are four different colour types (Gold, Blue, Yellow and Green). A ll colours types are different in fundamental ways and they all want different things. They have different motives, needs, and drives. They analyze, conceptualize, understand, and learn differently. These differences create natural barriers to interpersonal communication, making understanding between people of different types difficult.
It is important to keep in mind that all people have all four colors as part of their personalities, although one will predominate. For instance, Orange is my first Color, with Green and Blue about equal as my second Color, and least like me is Gold. It is good for me to learn about all the colors, but to pay special attention to the characteristics of Golds if I am to understand and work well with them.
Take the True Colour Personality Quiz
Are you a thinker, always analyzing, like a GREEN? Do you prefer inspiring people and building their self-esteem as a BLUE? Are you the responsible one who is always on time and keeping everyone else on time like a GOLD? Or do you thrive on entertaining and persuading people, like an ORANGE? Take the quiz now and find out what color you are.
2. Learning Style
For you, knowing about learning styles is valuable because it allows them to explore ways to learn beyond your preferred style, therefore expanding the variety of ways you can use to learn. Such knowledge can help you learn better in situations where only less-preferred learning styles are presented.
One commonly used method of describing learning styles is to group the ways students prefer to perceive information:
o Kinesthetic/tactual learners attempt to feel, touch, manipulate, and "try things out". They learn best by "doing" and need direct involvement in what they are learning. These students may be physically demonstrative-for example, speaking and gesturing-but may be poorer listeners than other students.
o Auditory learners need to talk about what they are learning and how they are learning or how to use what they have learned. They are better listeners than some, but also need an opportunity to talk or participate in the discussion. They relate most effectively to the spoken word. Information may not mean much to them unless it has been heard; they may benefit by reading aloud to themselves.
o Visual learners need to see it. They respond to pictures, demonstrations, and learning that requires a good imagination. They relate to written information, notes, and diagrams. They often need to take notes, even if printed notes are provided during a lecture. Do not misinterpret this as not listening. Taking notes allows them to listen better!
Now, it's time to take the Learning Style Quiz. Discover your unique style of learning.
Again, think about registering to save your results. This will allow you to combine all your quiz results and give you a better idea of the type of work you would enjoy the most.
3. Multiple Intelligences
Multiple Intelligence Theory was developed by Harvard developmental psychologist, Dr. Howard Gardner, and focuses on different "intelligences" or learning styles. According to the theory, learners use most of these styles to some degree, but that each person has dominant styles and less-used styles in the learning process.
o Verbal/Linguist (word smart) - Able to use words and language by producing something with them (i.e., writers and public speakers), as well as listening and reading; may enjoy crossword puzzles and telling stories.
o Logical/Mathematical (number smart) - Able to work with numbers and their relationships to each other, and use abstract concepts and inductive or deductive reasoning to solve problems; includes the ability to make connections between pieces of information; may enjoy strategy games and experiments.
o Visual/Spatial (picture smart) - Able to picture an object in one's mind, to create mental images; think in images and pictures (i.e., painters, sculptors, navigators, architects); may enjoy chess or other games which require being able to imagine pieces in different positions before they are moved.
o Bodily/Kinesthetic (body smart) - Able to process knowledge through bodily sensations, understand one's physical movement and functions of the body, effectively use the body to express emotions, interpret body language of other people, play games or do other physical activities, such as building or making something; may enjoy athletics, dancing, or crafts.
o Musical/Rhythmic (music smart) - Able to recognize patterns in tone, rhythm, and beat, as well as create such patterns; includes sounds in the environment, the human voice, and music; often are discriminating listeners; may notice sounds that others may miss; may enjoy humming and singing.
o Interpersonal (people smart) - Able to communicate and interact easily with other people, and understand and empathize with their moods and feelings; may often be the leader among their peers; includes the abilities of a counsellor or teacher.
o Intrapersonal (self smart) - Able to understand oneself and one's own feelings and emotional responses, self-reflect (i.e., to "think about thinking" and other questions and ideas that cannot be answered by facts, such as philosophy); may appear shy; self motivated.
o Naturalist (nature smart) - Able to observe, understand, collect, and categorize (organize patterns) in the natural and human environment; may enjoy collecting and organizing collections, or keeping notes about a collection.
Take the Multiple Intelligence Quiz
The quizzes from the JobsEtc.ca (Government of Canada) are designed as a starting point in self discovery. Through the Career Quizzes you can explore your abilities, interests and preferences as part of making a career decision. The Multiple Intelligence Quiz can be used to make any learning situation work for you.
Register to save your results. This will allow you to combine all your quiz results and give you a better idea of the type of work you would enjoy the most.
4. Myers - Briggs
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test is based on the work of Carl Jung in the early 1900s and has been developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers. It is one of the most widely used personality assessment tool and can help to understand how and why we feel and think the way we do. The theory is based on four personality preferences:
Extroversion (E) - (I) Introversion
Sensing (S) - (N) Intuition
Thinking (T) - (F) Feeling
Judgement (J) - (P) Perception
The four preferences in more detail Where, primarily, do you prefer to direct your energy?
o If you prefer to direct your energy to deal with people, things, situations, or "the outer world", then your preference is for Extraversion. This is denoted by the letter "E".
o If you prefer to direct your energy to deal with ideas, information, explanations or beliefs, or "the inner world", then your preference is for Introversion. This is denoted by the letter "I".
How do you prefer to process information?
o If you prefer to deal with facts, what you know, to have clarity, or to describe what you see, then your preference is for Sensing. This is denoted by the letter "S".
o If you prefer to deal with ideas, look into the unknown, to generate new possi2bilities or to anticipate what isn't obvious, then your preference is forIntuition. This is denoted by the letter "N" (the letter I has already been used for Introversion).
How do you prefer to make decisions?
o If you prefer to decide on the basis of objective logic, using an analytic and detached approach, then your preference is for Thinking. This is denoted by the letter "T".
o If you prefer to decide using values and/or personal beliefs, on the basis of what you believe is important or what you or others care about, then your preference is for Feeling. This is denoted by the letter "F".
How do you prefer to organise your life?
o If you prefer your life to be planned, stable and organised then your preference is for Judging (not to be confused with 'Judgmental', which is quite different). This is denoted by the letter "J".
o If you prefer to go with the flow, to maintain flexibility and respond to things as they arise, then your preference is for Perception. This is denoted by the letter "P".
Myers Briggs Types
When you put these four letters together, you get your personality type code, and there are sixteen combinations. For example, INTJ indicates that you prefer Introversion, iNtuition, Thinking and Judging (remember, this indicates preferences only - an INTJ also uses Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling and Perception).
This unique profile can be used in a number of ways, such as finding an appropriate career or identifying your natural leadership style.
Your personality preference is translated into a combination of these letters and indicates parts of your personality. Take the Myers Briggs and find out which one you are. An explanation of your type will follow after the test.
5. Work Style
This quiz will assist you in determining your areas of interest by helping you identify the degree to which you enjoy working with data/information, people or things.
The Work Value Quiz will outline values that are important clues to what kind of work and work conditions you would like. Hopefully, the quiz can help you determine your work motivations, your preferred work setting, how you like to interact with others, and your work style.
Assignment: Building Your Personal Summary
From your work in the personality self assessments, complete the following assignment.
Summary: In a question and answer format, complete the following information, labeling each question carefully. Make sure you answereverything the question is asking you.
1. Top three intelligences: As identified by the quiz. What did each intelligence mean, and suggest two careers or occupations for each of your top three intelligences.
2. Learning Style: Your preferred learning style with three strategies that will help you learn
3. Colour: From the True Colours quiz, state which colour is most like you. If you have difficulty deciding between two colours, ask a friend, a teacher, or a parent/guardian for his or her opinion. List your characteristics, strengths, and needs for that colour.
4. Work Style: Your preferred work style
5. Personality Type: Which personality type you are and 5 characteristics of that type as indicated in the Myers-Briggs.
6. Common Themes: What themes did you notice about yourself among the various quizzes.
7. Occupations: Two occupations that may have appeared more than once.
8. Surprises: Anything that came up in the quizzes that surprised you (both positive and negative)
9. Final Assessment: Do you agree with the results of all your quizzes? Why or Why not?
This assignment is worth 27 marks.