CHAPTER III

THEORETICAL CHAPTER

Introduction

Meaning of Adjustment

Factors Influencing Adjustment

'Meaning of Personality

Adjustment and Personality

Role of School In Pupils Adjustment

 CHAPTER III

THEORETICAL CHAPTER

INTRODUCTION

Man Is a unique product of evolution. In contrast to

other forms of animal life one of the unique attributes of man

Is his self awareness and capacity to understand himself.

Social existence has produced physical dangers such as war,

there are important psychological problems uniquely associated

with living in Society. There are also questions of attainment

of basic satisfaction from competence in interpersonal relations

and through some degree of inner harmony. Thus, as l^azarus has

said '*man has accordingly become increasingly Interested in psy

chological adjustment and nature of personality".^

When man has accordingly become increasingly interested

in adjustment a separate discipline called by various names as

"psychology of adjustment, "Mental Hygiene", "personality adjust

ment" is developing. Such a discipline although an Infant disci

pline is growing In its breadth and depth. The goals of such a

discipline can be explained by quoting Bernard:

The goals of mental hygiene have been expressed

as "the attainment of a fuller, happier, more
harmonious and more effective emissence". This
is not the same as saying that to be mentally
healthy one must live a full, happy life which
entails no conflict or failure. The mentally

i, Richard S,Lazarus, Qp.cit., p.2,

 63

healthy person will, however, engage In the

heterostatic processes of getting closer to
a full, happy and harmonious existence.^

Such a discipline takes into account hoth the persona

lity of the individual and his adjustment. Psychology of adjust

ment being an infant discipline has very many dilemmas. As Smith

has said one of the great dilemmas in the psychology of persona

lity is the development of a person should somehow go wrong

and adjustive failure occur'. One major reason may he that the

stress producing experiences of life interfere or disrupt the

learning of appropriate adjustment mechanisms.

The discussion so for can be summarized as follow:

1. Man has recently began to understand more about himself,

2. Such an attempt has lead to the development of a new dis

cipline psychology of adjustment', and

3. Such a discipline studies humanes both from the point of

view otihii personality and adjustment.

hile, it is the fashion of the day to apply the

science of psychology in various aspects of human life, both

individual and social educationists must also apply this know

ledge to their field so as to attain a better achievement of

1, Harold W.Bernard.: Mental health in the Class room (New York:

McGraw-Ilill Book Company, , p'.'l9
2. H.C.Smith. Opi,cit.. p.353.
 64

their alms and objectives. The concept of school has changed

and today schools are not considered as merely information

mangers shops hut as places where conditions are evolved so as

to develop balanced personalities with good adjustment, less

conflicts and frustrations and to face the realitjres of life

confidently. When educationists try to understand their pupils

they must look at them from two points. One is the aspects of

the pupils personality and other one is his conditions physical,

social and emotional, his level of adjustment and the conflict

ing situations an Individual is facing. In the light of this

discussion it is worthwhile here to consider the meaning of

adjustment, meaning of personality, the definitions of adjust

ment and personality, the different factors influencing adjust

ment.

As an educationist any one must recognise the role

of schools in adjustment of its students. All these aspects

are dealt one by one. First the aspects of adjustment will be

dealt with and latter the aspects about personality will be

dealt. Much literature in the forms of Books, articles in

journals, journals have came about these aspects. But an

attempt is mside to discuss a few aspects of these two concepts

of adjustmwt and personality so as to yield a basis for under

standing of pupils in the school.

 65

MEANING OF ADJUSTMENT

In every daylife, frequent use is made of the word

"adjustment eventhough many are unaware of the different

meanings this word may have. For exam)leto some adjustment

cannotes happiness andfreedom from personal prol'leras. To

others it means an unhappy conformity to group demands and ex

pectations. Psychologists, too, think and write ahout adjust-

Ksent in different ways and donot always agree on which way Is

more meaningful. Before considering the definitions of adjust

ment the concept of adjustment must he understood.

a) Concept of adjustmenti

The concept of adjustment was originally a hiological

one and was a c o m e r stone in Darwins theory of evolution (1859)

In Biology the term usually employed was adaptation, mrwin

maintained that only those organisms most fitted to adopt to the

hazards of the physical world survive. Biologists have conti

nued to he concerned witli the problem of physical adup tat ions and

many human illness are to he based on the process of adaptation

to the stress of life.

Richard S. Lazarus writes*

The Biological concept of adaptation has been

borrowed by the psychologist and renamed adjust
ment. The psychologist is luore concerned with
what may be called 'psychological survival" than
 66

physical survival. As in tbe case of the

biological concept of adaptation, huoan
behaviour is interpreted as adjustments to
demands or pressures. These demands are
primary social or interpersonal and they
influence the psychological structure and
functioning of the person.^

b) Definitions of Adjustment;

Different authors have defined adjustment in their

own vra.ys. Some of them are given in the following paragraphs:

Symondst
*i\djusttiaent can be defined as a satisfac-
2
tory relationship of an organism to its environment". Accord

ing to him environment consists of all surrovmding Influences

or forces which may influence the organism in its efforts to

wards maintainance. Thus, it is a process through which an

organism moulds itself in response to conditions it faces.

Traxlert "The most desirable state of adjustment is

one in wiiich the individual is perfectly aappy inti satisfied

with all aspects of life

McKinneys "Adjustment is in essence the buildiU^

of attitudes or the changing of the environment so as to meet

u
the thwarted or unsatisfied motives".

1. Richard S.Lazarus, Op.cit., p.5.

2 . Percival li.Sjmonds,; The dynamics of human adjustment (New
York: Appleton-Century-Crofts Inc., i94'(S), p.
A.E, Traxler.: Techniques of Guidance (New York: Harper,
1966 ), p.S03,3oz^,.
k, F.Mckinney,: Psychology of Personal Adjustment (New York:
Wiley and Sons,19^9)7 P ^^9
 67

Shaffer: "Adjustment Is the relationship which becomes

established among biological heritage or organism, the environ

ment and personality",^

Skinner: "Adjustment involves the organization of per

sonality. This organization leads to the stability that is an

active adjustment of injiividual to his social and physical en-

2
vironment"

Smith; "A good adjustment is one which is both rea

listic and satisfying. At least in the long run, it reduces to

the minimum the frustrations, the tensions, and anxieties wlich

a person must endure. It provides an evenness of satisfaction

of the whole person, rather than the satisfaction of the one

intense drive at the expense of others",^

Munn: "Adjustment is accomiaodating or fitting oneself

to circumstances, as when we say that a student is adjusted to

4
or gets along well, with the group in which he finds himself".

1. L.F.Shaffer.: The Psychology of Adjustment (New York: Wiley

md Sons, 19^9)# pp.3-^.

2. iJkinner.: Educational Psychology (London: Staples Press Ltd.,

1952), p.1175:

3. P.A.Smith.: Personality and Adjustment (New York: Mcgraw-nill

Book Co., 19^1), p^25. ^
k, H .L.Munn.: The Fundamentals of Human Adjustment (loa/j>oa<
George I?arp"Vn5 to., lid., p.ei.
 68

Arkofft Adjustment can be defined as a persons in

teraction with his environment. Interaction neans mutual

bearing or influence. Environment refers to everything exter

nal to the person with which he is in some relation",^

Samuel Ashcrofts "Adjustment is a continuous process

of maintaining harmony among the attributes of the individual

and the envlroimental conditions which surround him. It involves

the fulfilment of potential for a personally and socially satis

factory 11fe",^

Dewey and Humber? "if a persons experiences have so

shaped his personality that he is well prepared to play roles

which are expected of the status assigned to him within a given

environment. If his basic needs are met by playing such roles

then he is well adjusted. On the other hand. If experience

has not prepared him to plag^ the roles of his assigned status

or if the environment is such that he is denied the normal

status for which his experience prepared him and his fundamental

needs are not met and then he is maladjusted'.^

1. ABE, Arkoff: Adjustment and Mental Health (New York: Mc-Graw

III11 Book Company, 19<)8), p,(t,

2. L.M.Dunn (fid.).: Exceptional Children in the Schools (New

York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1963).

3. Richard Dewey and . J.r>iiaber.: The Peveloptnent of Ht^an

Behaviour (New York: Macmillan Company, 1901), p.136 .
 69

Kli9n: "Mental health or adjustment is seen as a con

dition where there is a fairly harmonious and consistent pattern

of motivation with a minimun of friction between noble and igno

ble impulses, between momentary desires and long range purposes

and between personal ideals and the facts of accomplishment***^

From the series of definitions quoted above the follow

ing observations can be made about the concept of adjustment:

1. The above definitions are complementary to each other

rather than contradictory,

2, Adjustment is defined in two ways,

(i) Adjustment by some is considered as a process,

(ii) Adjustment by some is considered as a level which

a person has attained (a product), and

3 Adjustment is both individual and social. The individual

aspect tells how an individual is free from internal con

flicts and tensions or inconsistencies and how he is skil

ful to adapt to new situations. The social aspect reveals

how an individual has established a satisfactory relation

ship between himself and his environment, between his needs

and desires and those of other people.

1. D.B.Klein.: Mental Hygiene (New York: Holt, Rinhhart and

Winston, 196^), p.5.

Uf-f'/ERSITY LIBRAHt
M V o e-o
 70

c) procesB of Adjustmentt

It is said above that adjustment can be considered as

a pzx>cess. The process of adjustment if analysed consists of

the following components:^

1. A Motivating Condition: A need or motive in the fora of a

strong persistent stimulus.

For exsunple: a bodily need, a wish, an anticipatory goal.

2. An environment or mental condition that thwarts or con

flicts with the motive resulting into a state of tension.

For example: absence of food, fear physical defect,

3. Trial and error behaviour.

For example: the individual reacts positively or negatively

to a number of stimuli; reaches, withdraws, sliows over

a'Tgressive behaviour.

a) The discovery of stimuli which bring out a response

that satisfies the motivating condition

For example; eating, removal of feared object, success.

b) Emotional maladjustment due to; failure to find stimuli,

to satisfy motivating situations

For example; continued hunger, continued fear, persis

tent worry over physical condition.

1. Fred McKinney, Op.cit.. p*13*

 71

Satisfaction of motivating condition by responses that

conflict with other motivating conditions.

For example: eoting too rapidly and becoming ill, re

moving object which is feared but also cherished, over

aggressive behaviour which results in unpopularity.

5. ileadjustment to emotional disequilibrium through understand

ing of the problem (as analysed In this outline) in order

to learn new responses or to find a new environment.

For example: to learn how or where to obtain food, to become

accumstoned to the feared object or to move away from it to

find success in a field that does not require physical per

fection, or to have the defect remedied.

FACTORS INFl.UiiNCING ADJUSTMENT*

The process of adjustment then involves certain steps

through which an individual must move. While an individual is

moving through such steps for the establishment of a cardial re

lationship with the world around him various factors affect the

process.

Life consists of a series of such sequences in which

needs are aroused and then satisfied by which srni itai iance of

equilibrium level is achieved. All huma-nbeings tsnd to vary in

their activities In response to conditions in their environment.

* Since there are numerous factors influencing adjusl^ent, only

some factors are discussed very briefly
 72

Even In the same environment each individual differs at least

in degree in his activities to conditions in their environment.

This depends on the conditions of an individual, what sort of a

person he is. Even when seviere harrier situations arise some

individuals repeat their trial and error behaviour and finally

succeed in their attempt. Some others may withdraw from their

attempt and can unoppose the harrier situation and suffer from

conflicts, frustrations and die out. Thus the attainment of

such a level of adjustimnt which can he called good adjustment

depends on the nature of the individual. What sort of a person

he is or in other words what type of personality he has.

Apart from the individual as such there may he other

factors which influence his adjustment. They are the factors

which are in the environment. Since, environment implies every

thing external to the individual it may be the environment of

the home, school, society and the people with whom he works,

A good adjustment of the individual therefore implies a balanced

relationship between himself and with the members of his family,

his school mates, the social group in which he lives.

Thus, the processes of individuals adjustment vary

from situation to situation. Based on this certain areas of

adjustment can be recognized. For example, a child born in a

family upto certain age lives only in home and latter after

attaining certain age goes to school. Even before going to

 73

school he is adjusting to his parents, his friends and also peo

ple around his hone (society) (neighbours). After leaving school

he may Join for a Job and he must make adjustment to his vocation

and his colleagues, while he is in a vocation he may set up his

own family by marrying which implies that he must be adjusted to

his marital status. Thus based on this there are areas of adjust

ment. Each area implies certain factors which influence the

adjustment of the individual for that area. Some major areas of

adjustment with the factors influencing them are discussed in the

followiiiii linoB.

a) Factors influencing home Adjustment;

perhaps the one social institution which influences an

individual more is his home. The adjustment which is established

by the individual in his home is called home adjustment. The

main factors which influence an adolescents home adjustment are

briefly discussed below:

(1) Parent-child relationshipss

Relationship between a parent and child play a vital

role In an individuals mental health. A well balanced persona

lity which is an individuals ideal can be achieved only through

a good life in home. One of the basic important emotional needs

is the need for securing. Such emotional security can be given

only by parents. Since dilferents parents adopt different

 74

methods for providing the basic emotional needs. Variety of

parent child relationships exist. One of the earliest, scholarly,

authoritarian vroxlc on parent child relationships was reported as

early as 1939 l>y Syiaonds.^ Symonds emphasize two main factors

that operate in parent child relations. They are:

i) Acceptance Rejection, and

ii) Dominmice submission.

The parents will have a relationship with a child rang

ing from complete acceptance to a complete rejection trhough a

average. Same is the case with dominance submission. Many

parents will be having inconsistency in parent children relation

ships. This according to Symonds is the result of a third factor

operating ie., amlivale ace". Thus there are three conditions or

extreme beliavlours wJiich give rise to 9 combinations. They are:

1. Dominance - Acceptance,

2. Dominance - ReJ ection.

3. Dominance - Ambivalence

k. Submissive - Acceptence,

5. Submissive - iiejection.

6. Submissive - Ambivalonce,

7. Inconsistent - Acceptance,

8. Inconsistent - li e Jection.

9. Inconsistent - Ambivalence.

1. P.M.Symonds.: Psychology of Parent child Relationships (New

York: Appj^eton-Century^rofis, i939) p.is,
^ f-H S,yvrio-nci.i'^ d>p- c,l4 f Rfi,.
 75

As Symonds has said such classification refers to both

the Ijehavioural and feeling aspects of parents.

There are three major factors that Influence parent-

child relationships and ultimately the home adjustment of child

ren, They are;

1, Over protection of the child,

2, Rejection of the child, and

3, Domination over the child

1, Behaviour indicating over acceptance on the part of a

parent according to Symonds are:

- parent indulges child cannot refuse Interests,

cares for chllds physical needs to an unusual degree,

- sleeps in same bed with the child,

- spenas all possible tlcie with the child,

- gives money, toys, special previliges,

- does not want child to leave for recreation,

- spends time with child, playing with or mmsing child,

- execuses child - defends him,

- is proud of child - praise him,

- secs fev; faults if any in the child, etc,,^

1, P.M-rbymonds. ; Op.cit., p.sfo.

 76

2. Behaviour indicating llejectlon the past of a parent:

- parent sees mostly short comings,

- uses seviere punishments,

- deserts and avicts child,

- puts child in institution, reform, boarding school,

convent,

- does not provide financial support,

ci'iticizes child,

- deliberately frightens child,

- looks child away,

- threatens to report child to authority,

> parents does not pay attention to the child,

- does not spend time with child,

- neglects child, movements unsupervised,

- compares child unfavourably, etc,,^

3, Behaviour indicating dominant hostility and aggressiveness;

- parent pushes child,

- threatens punishment,

- nags child,

1. P.M. Symonds, Qp.Cit., p.e,5

 77

- s spanks, vhips child,

- Is hard on child - holds him to standard which are not

suited,

criticizes child,

- deliberately frightens diild,

- uses severe punishments,

- turns child over to an authority,

plans for child,

1
carss for childs needs to an unusual degree.

Many studies have been done on the relationship bet

ween attitudes of parents and behaviours of chiltren.

It seens generally agreed that over protected children

manifest emotional immaturity, shyness and withdrawal from dif-

fftrult situation. Having developed no confidence in their own

abilities, they are likely to leen on adults or stronger play

mates for advice and control. An over Indulged child frequently

becomes the tyrant of the family. He is likely to feel secure,

protected and comfortable, TTe soon leams to give an outer

conformance to parental desires at the same time getting his own

way by being loving, cute, wheedling, disappointed, hurt or

2
amusing as the occasion demands.

1. P.Ki.Symonds, Op.eit., p,s7.

2, Luella Cole and I,N, Ilall.: Psychology of Adolescence (rew
York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1970), pp.3$^-393.
 78

Children from homes with submissive parents are rated

by the teachers as being disobedient, irresponsible, disorderly,

lazy, selfish, stubborn, sulky, aggressive, self confident,

talkative, independent and antagonistic.^

The rejected child may react in many ways. Studies

have shown that the worst type of parent child relationships

are those concerned with rejection. Rejection of the children

by their parents either passive by or actively result in the

disintegration of the adolescent personality. The child who

has been actually resulted by his parents is passive towards

authority, docile, outwardly, decorous since by only such be

haviour can be escape their nagging and punishment, but he is

also hostile, withdrawn, fearful, frustrated insecure, stubborn

2
and passively re sistent.

Adolescent from an authoritarian home becomes sub

missive and is afraid to take responsibility. He is not only

anxirous and shy, but he also feels helplessly unable to solve

his problems without adult intervention. He will obey the

parental dictates, even when they are against peer standards.

There will be a tendency to feel guilt, anxious and shame which

come in the way of a good adjustment.

1. Shaffer, L,F, The Psychology of Adjustment (] oston: Roughton

Mifflin, 1936 ), P.ASJ8.
2, Luella Cole.: The Psycliology of Adolescence (New York: Holt,
Rinehart and Winston, Inc., I963 ), pp.436-437,
 79

(2) Broken Homes;

A home is said to be broken when a parent is absent

by either by desertion, death or divorce. Boys and girls from

the Broken ho||es have appreciably more problems than from nor

mal homes. They are under BKire tensions and their adjustments

are poorer. They rate lower on the personality scales than the

boys and girls from the complete homes and they have more social

and emotional problems,

(3) Sibling Relationships^

The terra Siblings* refers to brothers and sisters.

The Sibling relationship Is an Intimate one. Much research has

been done to determine the effect of sibling relationships on

adjustment. In a family with more than a child the elder whilA

over protected the younger will be in many oases spoiled due to

the elders imaginary autliorlty over him resulting in poor adjust

ment. In some other cases since the status of a teenager depends

on ago, the younger one will be denied a chance for various acti

vities with elders and as such it may lead to maladjustment.

Home adjustment is also affected by the size of the family and the

age of the parents.

(4) ficonoaic Factors;

The role of socio-economic status in an individuals

adjustment is an undeniable fact. The socio-economic status of

 80

parents influence the parental attitude and ultimately the home

adjustment of children,

A nufflher of studies shov that, lower class parents

give their children greater physical and social freedom than

the children from the middle class family enjoy,^ The middle

class children, are expected to assume responsibility early,

to confirm to group matters and are more closely supervised

than those of the lowQr cltiss.^ Upper class parents provide a

democratic environment in the home so that adolescents can

feel secure and they will be better adjusted.

So, far various factors influencing the home adjust

ment of an adolescent were studied,

Pftotors influencing School Adjustment;

The type and degiee of adjustment an adolescent makes

in a home influences his later adjustment in schools.

C.V.Good defines school adjustment as 'the act or

process of fitting the school environment to the needs of the

pupil,^

1, R,Benedict,: "Child rearing in certain European Countries",

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1938, Vol.19, pp.3^2-350,
2, M.C.aricson Child rearing and Social Stitus*, American
Journal of Sociology, 19^6, Vol.52, pp,190-192,

3, Carter V.Good (Ed,), Dictionary of fiducation (:ew York:

McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1959), II Sdn, p,12.
 81

It is known that the present educational theory and

practice or far from the needs of the pupils. As Bernard has

said "some school practices, widespread If not prevalent, con

stitute hazards to the mental health of students",^ A set of

curriculum Interferes with the need to he independent and to

develop ones own purposes. The set curriculum Interferes with

the pupils fulfilling the need to manipulate and satisfy his

curiosity. It attempts to force children into the same mold

regardless of their unique backgrounds, proclivities, and ex

periences.

Uniform grading Interferes with the need to be recog

nized for what one is rather than for what other think one should

be. It tends to destroy feelings of personal worth eusong those

who cannot fill the academic requirements for passing or gradua

tion.

The practice of failing students tends to bring forth

feelings of shame, inferiority and insecurity. It tends to pre

vent the child from engaging in social intercourse with his phy

sical peers. Failures frequently result in behaviour manifesta

tion of truai^, destruction, seclusiveness, bullying, and shift

lessness.

Ifome work. Instead of bringing a <diild upto standard,

tends to widen individual differences. Neither physical nor

1. Bernard, Op.clt., p.318.

 82

mental exercise must be allowed to assume undue proportions of

the Childs life.

Some schools follow authoritarianism in dealing with

students with worst effects on pupils individuality.^

Thus even in school area there are threats to the

pupil adjustment which results in extreme in mental disorders.

Since, the function of schools is not merely pouring knowledge

on pupils all concerned with the cause of right education must

try to remove these hazards of mental health of pupils. The

role of school in pupils adjustment will be deali with latter.

c) Factors Influencing Vocational Adjustment;

While an adolescent enters a vocation he must make

adaptations with his colleagues and with his vocation. Voca

tional adjustment as defined by Good is "the degree to which a

person is suited by personality, interests and training to his

occupation or 'the degree to wliicli the individuals vocational

or vocational aspirations perriit him to achieve basic life

satisfactions such as tiiose in the economic, social, emotional

2
and familiar areas*.

1, Bernard, Op.cit., p.319.

2. Carter V.Good (Ed.), Qp.clt., p.12.

 83

Various factors vAiioh influence vocational adjustment

are:

1, Previous experience,

2 Work related to capacities,

3, Vocational security,

k. Opportunities for Advanceaent,

5* Glajaour and prestige,

6, Nature of work,

7. Degree of career orientation,

8, Reasons for vocational choices,

9. Favourable ioxiElng conditions, and

10, Attitudes of significant people.

d) Factors influencing Social Adjustment?

Good defines social adjustaient as the processes whereby

the individual attempts to maintain or further security, comfort,

status, or creative inclinations in the face of the everchanglng

conditions and pressures of his social environment, or the state

or condition attained through such efforts,^

Such an adjustment is influenced by various factors

such as,

1, The early home experiences,

2, \ttltude of the member towards his group,

1. Ibid.
 8k

3* His popularity In the group.

4. Physical appearance and personal habits.

This concludes the discussion of the factors influ

encing major areas of adjustment. However the basis for all

these is the individual and an individuals personality has more

effects on his adjustment* Thus the meaning and definitions of

personality are worthy of consideration.

MEANING OF PERSONiVLITY

a) Concept of Personality:

The history of the word personality reflects the pro

blems encountered by any thoughtful attempt to define its mean

ing. First used among the ancients for the dramatic mask, it

soon became the name for the individual role. It was when the

church fathers wanted to suggest the nature of God who expressed

himself in three roles that the metaphysical meaning of the term

came into being . The w>rd personality and person have invari

ably referred to that quality of self hood. Which was capable

of self conscious rationality and ideals... when the psycho

logist - philosopher Villiam James suggested that a man's empi

rical self could be considered **the sum total of all that he

can call his, not only his body and his psychic powers, but his

clothes and his house...- he was opening the way to the

 85

psychological description of personality.^

P^fi^ltions of Personalityt

There is no agreement what so ever as to the defini

tion of pwsonality either within academic halls or psychologi

cal climics. Various authors define the term in so many ways

and each of them of course are influenced by the methodological

presuppositions each one has. But it would not be possible

here to enter into a detailed discussion of all these connota

tions* However, some of the more important definitions may be

considered briefly for a better understanding of the meaning.

Morton Prin defines personality as "the sum total of

all the biological innate dispositions, impulses, tendencies,

appetites, and instincts of the individual and the acquired dis-

2
positions and tendencies acquired by experience. This concep

tion of personality as a mere sum total of all the dispositions

and tendencies which are acquired is criticized by latter workers,

H.C.Warren and L.Carmichael emphasize the integrative

aspect when they write:^

1, Philip Lawrence Harriman (Ed.), Kncyclopeadia of Psychology

(New York: Philosophical Library", , pp.455^5^
2* M,Prince.: The Unconscious (end ed,), 192^, p,532. As quoted
by Harrlanan. Op.cit., p.4?7.

3. barren and Camiichael.; Elements of Human Psychology, 1930*

p.333. As quoted by Harriman. Op,cit., p.4^7.
 86

Personality Is the entire mental organization

of a human lielng at any stage of his develop
ment, It embraces every phase of hiiman cha
racter, intellect, temperment, skill, morali
ty and every attitude that has been built up
in the course of ones life.

The social type of definition, stresses the cultural

setting of personal development* Tims L,Marcuse writes:^

"Personality is the convergence of all essential cul

tural tendencies in one mind. The more culture one has, the

harder It is to be a single personality. However it is impos

sible in a culture for all people to be similar and to act simi

larly.

The above definitions conceive of personality as a

product of learning. R.S, Woodworth was led to deny personality

any substantive intent and give it a purely adverbial meaning,

thus, personality refers not to any particular sort of activity

such as talking, remembering, thinking or loving but an indivi

dual can reveal his personality in the way he does any of these
2
things.

According to Munn personality is the overall pattern,

ori Integration, of his structures, modes of behaviour, interests,

attitudes, intellectual abilities, aptitudes and many other

1, Quoted from MacKinnon The Structure of Personality in J.McV.

Hunt, Personality and Behaviour disorde'rs, 19^^ I P5. As
quoted by Harriman, Qp.cit., p.^57.

2. R.S.Woodworth and Marquis, Qp.cit., p.553.

 87

distinguishable characteristics. Thus the terw personality re

fers to the whole indivllual

A personalitic definition vhich synthesizes the

hiearohial, integrative, adjustive and social contributions,

while stressing uniqueness, is that of G.V.Allport,

Persond.ity is the dynaisdc organization within the

individual of those psychophyeical systems that determine his

2
unique adjustaents to his environnent.

The aliove definitions show how each psychologist

differs from other in giving a definition.

The discussion above can be sutaniarised as;

(i) personality is a dynastic and moving froce. If

is never fixed or rigid whatever the personality is it changes

from day to day.

(ii) Personality is of a structure tmture, Whatever

the dlraonsions it nay be, it consists of soaie thing.

(iii) personality is a behavinp; and reacting thing-

it does r>t t^iualn dovainant jmd

1, W,L,Munn.: Introduction to Psyciiologgr ( Caiouttaj India

Book House, ^969 ), p.235 .
2, r . ,Ailfjort, Fers^malityi a i'sychological interyrotation
(New Yorks iioTt and CompMny,
 88

(Iv) personality consists of more than what we see

on the surface. Wliether this Is called the unconscious or the

persona or the Image, the evidence would indicate that not

all of what man possesses as a personality is apparent on the

surface of his physiognomy or actions.

As Bernard has said:

The foregoing framework is highly acceptable because

of the preference shown for a dynamic, moving, evolving concept

of personality Oid the fact that it can be forward looking.^

ADJUSTMENT AND PBUSONALITY

People differ greatly In their tolerance of frustra

tions and conflicts, and in the types of adjustment mechanisms

that they habitually employ. Such differences according to

Shaffer and Shoben are variations in personality. They define

personality of an individual as "his persistent tendencies to

2
make certain qualities and kinds of adjustment. According

to them a more complete understanding of the origins of indi

vidual differences in adjustlve behaviour may be obtained by

distinguishing between precipitating factors and predisi>osing

factors. By precipitating factors it is meant the immeillate

situation that a person faces in his adjustlve process. The

1. Bernard, Opi^cit., p,156.

2, Shaffer and Shoben, Op.clt., p.310'

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predisposing causes of a person's behaviour lie further back

In his history. This is an individuals personality how he

varies in his adjustment mechanisiBS.

HOI^ OF SCHOOL IN PUVILS ADJUSTMENT

The school shares vith the home the responsibility

of helping a young person achieve those behaviour characteristics

that can ensure for him the making of {satisfactory adjustments to

the demands on him of the various areas of his present and future

life activities. The degree of success he earns as a secondary

school studeint depends on factors such as;

- the appropriateness of the curriculum in the light of

his learning needs,

- the choice of major fields of study,

- his relationships with his teachers and fellow students,

- his participation in the social life of the school,

- the amount fuit- kind of guidance he receives and

- parental cunbitions for him.

Hence, those who are resijonsible for the education of

young people must have a sense of these various factors influ

encing their school adjustment and see that they are not in the

way of an adolescents attitudes towards school, riowever as

Crow and Crow have said.

 90

"It must l>e remembered by those who are responsible

for the education of young people that, although school life Is

eKtremely Important, teen-agers are living a homellfe and a

life with other gfoups In their conmunlty. Not only should they

toe guided toward effective school living, but care should be

exercised that all phases of their living receive just and

rightful coasideration. This interrelationship of tlie various

phases of adolescent life is sometimes forgotten by school peo

ple, with the result that students, unaided, may be unable to

synthesize their differing interests. The Pull of one or another

interest than interferes with the developaient of a well-balanc-

ed personality".^

In the light of the above discusf?ion the follwoing sug

gestions can be given for educationists to improve the lot of

stud nts who are influenced by them.

1, The admission of a student to a particular school should be

based on his choices amd not based on the opinions of others,

2. "A curriculum should be as broad as life itself. In a demo

cracy education should affect the physical, mental, emo

tional, ethical and social develoiment of every Individual,

2
no matter wliat his physical or mental capacity may be", so

the educators must provide as many variety of subjects as

1. Crow aad Crow, Op.cit., p.^09.

2. Ibid., p.^lti.
 91

possible which fit the needs, aspirations, likes, dislikes

of each pupil.

3 An individual student in high school or college does not

have sufficient background for the meking of wise selection

of courses to be selected. So an individual must be guided

in his chances for success in any study area and therefore

will sot his educational sauls in that direction.

each pupil is expected to be friendly with his classmates,

have better ralationships with his teachers. However such

ciiaracteristicsof an individual dei^ends upon each indivi

duals personality. Hence, teachers should help not only

the shy young person but also the one who by his aggressive

ness antagonizes other young people. A word of warning to

teachersis however necessary. They must never pick up one

student and give particular attention to him. Since to

gain the reputation of being "teachers pet" is the surest

way of earning the disapproval of the majority of students,

whatever a teacher does for a young person must be done

tactfully and individually. Adolesc^ts should be allowed

and encouraged to join the school clubs and various school

activities.

5. The relationship between a teacher f either sex and a

student of either sex shoHld always be friendly but digni

fied. Usually a student does not fear the teacher for

 92

the teacher actually does, but rather for what he fears

the teacher may do. A student must therefore be encourage<i

by his parents and teachers to learn to vork with, think

with, and get along with every teacher he may have,

6, Each individual brings to his high school certain definite

abilities, which are the result of his inherita^e and of

his training upto tlat time. Hence, a careful analysis of

the abilities of every boy and girl shovild be made to the

end that each one is given somethinfr, to do in school that

will allow him a reasonable degree of success,

7, The adolescent brings with him to the secondary school cer

tain habit patterns that were acquired during his earlier

home and school experiences. Such habit patterns may be

still too immature to direct their actions in the l i ^ t of

their own and others welfare. One of the important func

tions of a teacher is to motivate his students to develop

cm an attitude of personal responsibility for their beha

viour in the school, home and consaunity.

Misbehaviour must be recognized and corrected.

School people need to keep in mind that their purpose in

administering disciplinary procedures is not so much to

punish a single non-conforming act as it is to help a young

person to develop the habit of self-discipline.

 93

AS Crow and Crow have said "A school in tdileh the de

mocratic ideal is put into practice gives every student an

opportunity to reco^ize his role in school affairs. He is

thereby learning to control his own wants and Interests so that

he does not interfere with the rights of other people. Such

training can do much to help an adolescent achieve a self-dis-

ciplined personality pattern",^

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* * * * * * #
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1. Ibid., p.436 .