Project manager works to consider:

Describe examples of observable behaviors (e.g., communication or working styles) of introverts and extroverts in a workplace or school setting. Include the following in your response:

o   Do you think people can exhibit both introverted and extroverted traits, depending on the situation? Justify your response.

I have more experience in the workplace so I will write on my observations there. I will say both are very much needed in the workplace. Eysenck says “Extroversion (E) is characterized by talkativeness, positive emotions, and the need to seek external sources of stimulation.” (Personality, Eric Shiraev) Extroverts in the workplace are easily identified in a office setting they comment in meetings, crack jokes by the water cooler and for the most part everyone knows what their name is, they’re not just “the guy in permitting that has a beard”. Introverts on the other hand slide into work, and I think are more organized by bringing with them what they need to enjoy so they can get through the day. Easy way to identify the difference between them. The introvert brings lunch to work, has a set list of things to do during break (surf Amazon, TikTok, or an ongoing puzzle or book). An extrovert asks where everybody is going to lunch, floats on breaks typically to other extroverts and usually has some sprots facts or an opinion on the latest show people are watching.  I think some of the most valuable workers are/have a combination of both. Extroverts/Introverts get their task, analyze it to try to see the most efficient way of completing the job with in-house resources and online research. That part is extrovert. Once they are done with that and they have their bucket of info. The Introvert kicks in. back to their desk and prepare for execution of plan including outlining details to reach goals and forward to the Boss so they can see progress but mostly to leave them alone.

  Describe a benefit of using emotional intelligence skills in the workplace or classroom. Consider the following in your response:

o   When would you need to use these skills and why?

o   How do they empower you to navigate stressful situations?

o   How do these skills influence your mindset?

I would say that emotional intelligence skills need to be used every day. Regardless of if you are conscious of them or not you are using them every day. Focusing on how and when to alter them I think is the real question here. Theres the obvious answer, you want to use EIS when the crap hits the fan. You need to settle yourself, change you tone and demeanor to bring the temperature of your hora down. Gustav Le Bon believed that “aggressiveness as an individual gets stronger in crowd”. I believe this can also go the other way if one exudes control, calmness and positive moral judgement in a difficult time you could really help your team to focus on matters smaller than any overall problem. Changing your own mindset to do as described, it will calm yourself. Helping others get through their stress helps you get rid of yours as well. The number one thought being injected into any stressful situation should be acceptance, safety and togetherness (Safety in numbers)

Identify one trait from the Big Five that you would like to improve and explain why. Your response should be 2 to 5 sentences in length. Consider the following in your response:

o   Where do you see evidence of this trait in your behaviors?

o   What behavior would you like to see?

I have to say that working on my conscientiousness is needed. I would like to have a little more passion and self-discipline in what I do and what I commit to doing. Don’t get me wrong If I say I’m going to do something I will do it and It will be done correctly. I do carry a strong sense of pride with anything attached to my name; it’s the manner in which it gets done where I feel I need improvement. I apparently have a personality trait of “Distractibility “ as defined by Michigan State University

Distractibility is a personality trait characterized by the tendency to become easily sidetracked or lose focus on a particular task or goal. It encompasses behaviors such as daydreaming, becoming preoccupied with irrelevant stimuli, and struggling to sustain attention (Ryamanowicz, 2018).

The organizational part of my brain needs some real help, especially when it comes to focus. I’ve been told since I was a kid that I live in the clouds “Fernando is always daydreaming” my teachers would tell my mom. Theres a lack of focus. A couple years ago I brought it up to my doctor because I noticed a significant loss of focus while reading. He ended up diagnosing me with ADD. Who knew? 42 years old and barely getting the news. Where were you in Highschool!! Geez. I often start a project on the right track. If I’m going to be working on my car, I set up my table, my tools, my magnetic bowls and potential lubes and degreasers. Before I know it, the torque wrench is in the bathroom, the nuts to be re-used are in random spots strewn close to where they belong but not in the bowl. And don’t even get me started on how my phone grows legs and ends up in the fridge…..I would like if I could, have 2 guys in my head. 1 to do the deep thinking (which is where I excell) and another guy to do the little stuff, put the nuts in the bowl. Put the phone back in my pocket. Leave the torque wrench near the nuts.

Consider topics related to social justice issues, such as gender and atavism.

I think the biggest limitation to trait theory are the variables put fourth in any given situation and environment that will cloud the data. Location such as home or work, the people present, and a person’s state of mind will all affect the traits that are expressed by an individual in varied situations. While this is addressed with the second trait. I think when the second trait is introduced it has the opportunity to take over the stable trait therefore leaving a gray area. Let me try to explain. I’ll stem from the solid trait of kind. At home when everyone is happy a father is giving and kind when he asks the kids to clean up before bed. The kids start to make a bigger mess and whine about cleaning it up, the father changes to kind and stern. The kids keep complaining, he turns to stern and demanding. They continue to complain, the father turns demanding and frustrated all within 5 minutes or less. So, which is the father’s actual trait? A kind man like the beginning of the situation or a frustrated man with no patience at the end? There is room for both but which is dominant if he spent the same amount of time exuding both? Theres the limitation.   

Therapist works to consider:

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Identify one trait from the Big Five that you think is particularly important for your current or desired profession and justify your response. Your response should be 2 to 5 sentences in length.

Moving forward I think Openness is a definite trait that will be required. I consider myself a very open person so this trait will be difficult for me to refine. I need to learn how to be open in certain ways, in certain situations, and with certain people instead of just vomiting my story as it relates to any conversation. I would like to pursue counseling for alcoholics and addicts. Openness and vulnerability are what addicts and alcoholics respond to. In my limited experience they are a very “you show me yours I’ll show you mine” when it comes to sharing emotions and pasts.

o   Describe how humanism differs from the personality theories you have studied so far.

Personality theories focus on the way people react in situations and try to connect them to their unconscious self. Its studies rely on a persons past experiences (mainly in childhood) and primal urges. Humanism looks deep into the emotions a person is feeling at the moment of any given experience, what choices are consciously made and how they may deal with similar situations moving forward.

o   Explain the role of nature and nurture in the humanistic approach.

I think the humanistic opinion on nature is pretty well summed up in table 8.1 Views of happiness in chapter 8. Where it states "If you believe that you have been “born” unhappy, adjust and work on yourself." Theres really no fat on that. Humanistic approach is all nurture. A person is molded by their environment, relationships, and above all, experiences both positive and negative. The 5 levels of hierarchy are about things under our control. There is no control when it comes to human nature.

o   Describe the role of emotional intelligence in the humanistic approach.

The humanistic approach I would say revolves around Emotional Intelligence. People must be in tune with their emotions or at the minimum aware that their emotions have the ability to bloom into decisions that shape their life. The ability to have your conscious take emotions into account and then react in a specific manner because of those emotions is what makes a personality.

Applying Theory to Self

o   Thinking about the top of Maslow’s hierarchy, explain what self-actualization means for you. You can focus your answer as narrowly or holistically to your life experience as you would like. Consider what role school or your career has on your answer. Does success in those areas help you achieve self-actualization? Is it something else?

Maslow’s hierarchy can be interpreted in several ways, and I think it is a little vague in some areas for that reason. The way I choose to see it is as a guide or check boxes to achieve self-actualization that is subject to interpretation. Some guides are formed that way so that they apply to the masses and can be used as a base. It is meant to be refined by an individual in accordance with their circumstances and surroundings. I would say even the order of the hierarchy can be dabbled with in some instances. When I read over the hierarchy, I noticed that I was lacking in a few areas, but I still feel that I have achieved self-actualization. I will add that in retrospect it did take me a good amount of time to get here. And while a cannot give you a specific age I achieved it I can tell you that it was within the last 5 years. Please don’t forget I’m 44. I’ve had a pretty good dose of life. I also believe that the hierarchy can be split into various areas of life. I think we can all agree that our professional selves are different from our personal selves. In my personal life I feel that I currently have self-actualization. I can check off all the boxes that I put on myself when I was a young man about to graduate high school. I had an order in which I wanted to do things. Graduate, go to college, get a career, buy a house, find a wife, have children, be a good father (good fatherhood is still in progress). In my personal life I feel a level of contentment that I think can only come from self-actualization. Now if I shift this hierarchy to my professional life, I would say that it is never ending, because the variables are many, while I have been indispensable in the past there is always someone that wanted my job, thus security, friendship and respect from others has to be taken with a grain of salt. I will say that maintaining self-actualization in my professional life is far more time consuming and draining. However, the personal far exceeds the importance from the professional. That statement in itself I think holds merit as to my overall opinion of my self-actualization.