Personality Assessment - Need for an Amalgamated Tool
Personality Assessment - Need for an Amalgamated Tool
Murali K.*
The uniqueness of an individual is most clearly reflected in her or his personality. It represents
characteristic patterns of behaviour, thought processes and emotional responses. One’s personality
determines the manner in which one responds to the world. Several factors contribute to its evolution,
among which genetics and environment are primary. Personality is relatively stable; hence, an
individual may broadly be associated with a particular type.
It is the distinct combination of traits that differentiates one person from another. Responses to
situations, including stress, are largely determined by personality. Interactions with others are
similarly influenced and reflected through personality.
Indeed, life itself is shaped by personality. Career choices and performance, relationships and social
life, physical and mental health, behavioural patterns and adaptability, and the ability to take risks
and make decisions are all influenced by personality. Susceptibility to physical or mental illness,
academic performance, and resilience during critical phases of life are also related to personality
traits.
There is no single term in ayurveda that exactly corresponds to the modern concept of personality.
Bodily constitution, represented by prakrti, and psychological temperaments such as saattvika,
raajasa and taamasa reflect different dimensions of individuality that together approximate
the concept of personality. Mind and body are inseparably related; their division is primarily for
observational clarity. Mental attributes are included among the indicators of prakrti, while physical
characteristics are also considered in descriptions of maanasa-prakrti. Indicators of sareera- prakrti
may even encompass certain socio-cultural and behavioural traits. Susruta’s postulations on kaaya
provide yet another perspective relevant to personality. These domains show areas of overlap and
conceptual convergence. Research may therefore be meaningfully directed along these lines. So far,
most studies have focused on correlating maanasa- prakrti with personality constructs. [1,2] Very few
have examined possible relationships between deha- prakrti and personality. However, to assess
personality in its true and comprehensive sense, an amalgamated tool that incorporates all these
dimensions of individuality is necessary.
An evolved ayurvedic assessment tool may be compared with conventional systems in terms of
validity and sensitivity. Such tools could be used by teachers to assess students, enabling the adoption
of tailored teaching strategies. The likelihood of pre-examination stress may be anticipated, and
appropriate remedial measures implemented. At a later stage, students themselves may be trained to
use such a scale. Through peer application and self-assessment, they may cultivate introspection and
monitor growth in terms of personality development.
