Personality Traits and Personal Values: Case Study - Book Report/Review Example

 Personality Traits and Personal Values: Case Study Executive Summary Different researchers have put in a lot to studying values and personalities under certain occupational settings, which is the reason behind the multiple theories and perceptions; nonetheless, this is understandable since areas such as anthropology and corporate governance vary in acuities of most matters. All the same, both values and personalities play very significant parts in a person’s especially concerning the course that one takes and actions; however, under figuring what is right and wrong, values play a greater role. This report is an evaluation of the different frameworks and theories in the analysis of the different decisions in the ‘Sick Leave’ case study. Evidently, the common evaluation procedures for personality and values revolve around most of the social aspects but most people focus on the present and recent actions due to lack of consistency. However, if evaluated the patterns in the consistency are a key aspect of the results and contribute equally like the rest of the factors. Additionally, some people’s values vary depending on their environment i.e. there is a variation between how they make decisions when they are in groups and when there are just one or a few people around (Dietrich 2010). Introduction A person’s actions outline, understanding and sentiment make up their personality; however, different people have varying perceptions regarding this due to the many theories available. Another common phrase, under the topic is the character attribute, used to refer to persistent physiognomies discovered only in certain situations; essentially, this is among the most consequential variations in any ones personality. Relatively, an individual value refers to an utter and moral value, this being the foundation of everyone’s proper activities; moreover, a person’s constant standards and actions make up their value system (Briggs 2012). Essentially, other principles and actions (inconsistent) base on one’s principle value; for instance, in difficult situations or a dilemma, people will act according to their instinct or according to what they know best. This is among the reasons under the notion that a person’s psychological stature determines most of these values with some of them being objectives that assist one to evade agony or search for preference in difficult situation (Musek 2007). Decisively, this academic report is an evaluation of Kelly’s case study drawing on personality and values as the key disciplinary perspectives; moreover, the identification of decision-making techniques bases on these perspectives. Kelly is the key character in the case study where, together with her working colleagues they find themselves in an unfair and difficult condition. Mr. Highashi is their supervisor who has a ‘lukewarm’ personality and very few people understand; however, he is the key facilitator of the difficult situation. There is the use of relevant literature in the construction and support of arguments that emanate from the application of critical judgment, analytical and logical reasoning, strategic thinking and creative problem solving skills to decision-making (Munoz 2013). Finally, academic theories, models and frameworks apply in the identification of relevant decision-making issues in the case study, for the recommendations part of the report. Analysis and Discussion Kelly’s Personality and other Characters on Sick Leave There are different ways to evaluate one’s personality but the most common and utter way is using the self-report portfolio that involves a questionnaire. The answers provided on this questionnaire involve a number of testimonials that precisely define a person’s general conduct and psychological stature (Ackerman 1997 &2003). Significantly, one can trace the study of personality few years back to the ‘four humors’, they are many theories set out to explain a human’s personality based on aspects such as humors, levels of blood and so on; nonetheless, establishing or analyzing the personality of a person bases mainly on their actions and way of thinking (Reynolds 1980). In the case study, Kelly has a different way of perceiving things especially when it comes to making decisions from the moment that she decides to stay in Japan and join JET, one can certainly tell that she is determined to make the best out of every situation. Her core workers and fellow ATLs, Andrea, Mark and Suzanne, differ in many things i.e. perception of things, ways of handling matters and their association with everyone else. Personality Theory Assessment The personality theory takes a consideration that a person’s integral features reveal themselves through the behavior of that person over certain durations of time hence one can easily note these things out if they are keen. However, sometimes the societal models, peripheral circumstances or remuneration schemes affect the consistency making someone to reveal varying traits (McLeod 2014). A good example of the aspect of establishing ones true personality over time from the case study is the situation of Mr. Highashi who in the beginning pretended to be like a father to Kelly but in the end, everything changed when he turned her sick leave to a paid leave. In this situation, one does not need a self-report survey or any other test to recognize that Mr. Highashi is duplicitous and when need be he will definitely put his needs before any of the ATLs. From this theory, one is also able to establish the personalities of most of the characters in the case study; definitely, Kelly’s is the easiest with a high level of uncertainty. Suzanne believes in standing up for herself and her principles too, which has led to a lot of friction with Mr. Highashi who likes pushing people around; however, her way of tackling things is not right as she opts using abusive language such as the situation where she calls Mr. Highashi a lunatic. For Mark, his quietness and less involvement in the social setting makes it hard to establish his stand because there are no actions that one can use except when he decides not to argue with his supervisor on the issue of paid and sick leave. Kelly’s way of handling difficult situations is very civilized as depicted by several approaches in the case study and her interactions with people. For instance, Mr. Highashi offers a sick leave but demands that she come with a letter from the doctor, which to most people is degrading especially when one only has a fever. Most people would refrain from getting the doctor’s letter but Kelly decided to do it as a sign of respect to her supervisor and protocol too. Additionally, when the supervisor misuses his power by giving Kelly, Suzanne and Mark forms to fill that their sick leave was a paid leave she keeps calm and decides to contact CLAIR instead of confronting Mr. Highashi with abusive words. Generally, actions offer a clear description of one’s personality especially for a specific duration of time where patterns and attributes play the main role. The Big Five Model The Big Five model is a paramount aspect of evaluating the human personality through the focus of extraversion, agreeableness, emotional stability, openness to experience and conscientiousness (Roccass 2002). Using this as a tool for evaluation in the case study would put some of the characters in an awkward position. In terms of extraversion and agreeableness, Kelly is equally social with everyone and thorough in activities such as learning Japanese; however, the Japanese workers in their office renounce from associating with the ATLs due to their perception of them, but they are exceeding committed to their work as shown by the overtime and going there even on weekends. Almost everyone in the case study is involved in activities with the group at work and in other settings such as sports but for Mark, not so much, though being an ATL from a foreign country portrays a certain aspect of him. Evidently, the decisions that most of these people make base on their personalities, especially in difficult situations that come with a lot of pressure. Personal Values in the Case Study Values are essential to a person’s stand in any social setting because when one defines them they are sure of what they really want in a certain situation. There are different ways of evaluating one’s values but the most common entails reminiscing about their past life choices so that they can know what decision to make in the present and the future. When a person uses this technique it is effective as they get to reflect on instances they made correct decisions and use this situations to make the right ones. In the case study, there are instances where Kelly makes crucial decisions and from the context, one can tell that she really thought and evaluated these situations before coming up with a final decision. For instance, before she decided to contact CLAIR on the sick leave matter she first tried to consult the supervisor who did not act accordingly then meditated on the next best action. This is among the clear indications that she has defined her values, which assist her in the decision-making processes. A person’s personal values take three periods of their life for utter molding and development (when they are a toddler, period before being a teenager, during teen-age and youth). These periods hold many significant events for every person especially on a social aspect where they get to interact and figure themselves out (Hirschi 2008). In reference to this theory, Kelly’s determination about learning the Japanese and its culture began when she was a teenager, which is a clear indication that at that age she had defined her interests and values too (Oliver 2003). When a person has clearly defined their values, it is easy for them differentiate over respectable, valuable, imperative, appropriate, productive and generally, the right and wrong; moreover, acute examination of behavior and solutions for different problems can give out the stand for a person’s values in the aspect of the reason behind their actions and their criteria. For instance, there is a big variation between how Mark, Kelly and Suzanne reacted to the issue of the sick leave turned into a paid leave. Evidently, Suzanne over reacted about it while Mark was the direct opposite, he did not do much; however, Kelly seems to be the best problem solver out of all three because her behavior was ethical and she stayed calm. Moreover, the criterion of her reasoning is remarkable; from telling the accountant there was a mistake; to consulting Mr. Highashi personally and then contacting CLAIR the next level of authority. The way people express themselves in a group is different from among individuals creating a variation in the personal values, which is of great significance as it shows that communication is a key aspect of values. In the case study, the way that that the Japanese view Mr. Highasi is different from how the ATLs perceive them because he addresses both groups dissimilarly. For the long period that he has stayed with the Japanese he has had the chance to interact with them individually but the ATLs are not there for long so the chances of knowing him better are limited. Conclusion Assertively, thorough analysis, the case study establishes that a personality and values differ depending on different factors with social aspects playing a major role. Essentially, evaluation of one’s personality requires taking aspects such sociability, openness and friendliness into consideration; moreover, for values, their definition is the only way out to making utter and correct decisions. Additionally, the development of a person’s values require a lot of attention during the key growth periods of their lives since it is during this time that they are able to differentiate right from wrong (Burnkrant 2009). Recommendations Generally, the board of Education office at Soto has a crude way of making its decisions with only a few of its members having an estimate on what to do during difficult situations. Mr. Highashi, as the supervisor, needs to respect the regulations put by the people above him and his decisions should solely base on what is right according to the laws (Katrin 2011). Moreover, ATLs like Mark and Kelly need to assess their ways of reacting to critical matters and look upon colleagues like Kelly for advise on behavior since their actions portray a lot about their values and personality. This is a good foundation for the welfare of everyone in the office and it will encourage interaction between the Japanese staff and the ALTs creating a conducive and exciting work environment (Chang 2001). REFERENCES Ackerman, P (2003). Intelligence, Personality and interests in the career choice process: Journal of Career Assessment, 11: 205-218 Ackerman, P. (1997). Intelligence, Personality and interests- Evidence for overlapping traits: Psychological Bulletin, 121: 219-245 Barrick, M (2003). 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