How is our personality is build up?

Assalamualaikum.

Untuk entry ni, aku nak kongsikan tentang mcm mana personaliti kita dibina. I'm sharing this based on what i have learned in my personality class with Prof. Nik Hisham from INSTED, IIUM.

If you are aware, everything have its own theory. And yes, of course, there are many theories in personality. There are many school of thought, such as, Freud, Carl Jung, Erik Erikson, Hans Eysenck and many more. You can just google up if you are curious about them and their theories in personality.

I'm going to share about traits theory.
So, what is traits? In Malay we call it sifat.

Traits refers to consistent pattern in which an individual behaves, feels and think, over time and across situation.
That's the definition of traits.

Basically, traits are fundamental building block of human personality.
What is building block then? It means that. your personality is build up by many elements.

Here is the picture to make you understand

This is what we call building blocks.

To simplify it, we are build our building block based on our environment through our senses. Then, it build our liking, habits, traits and super trait.

Let me give you an example.

Based on our environment we are living, we are build our liking through our senses. 

Such as I like book. (Liking)

Then, because I like book, I love to read (habit)

I rather to read book, than to socialize with people (traits)

It makes me an introvert (super trait)   

Is it clear?

Basically, our super trait are build up based on our liking, habit and trait. This is one of trait theory, explain how our personality is build up. 

And those building block could collapse if your environment change. 

For instance, you have faced traumatize event. And your building block collapse and it build new building block, thus you may build new personality. 

So, environment plays an important role of our personality beside our nature traits. 

I try to write up my understanding about this topic since it will come up in our final exam. ehe.

Hopefully I will share more about psychology stuff that I have been learned in my classes because I'm battling with times right now.

Until next time!

What You See Is Not What Your Brain Gets

Can you read this?:

Aoccdrnig to reserach at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, the oredr of lteetrs in a wrod is nto vrey iprmoetnt. Waht mttaers is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The ohter letetrs can be a ttoal mses and you can sitll raed wthuot mcuh probelm. Tihs is bcauseae yuor brian deos not raed ervey lteter, but raeds wrods and gruops of wrods.

I came across a similar paragraph in a book on Cognitive Psychology (Solso, 2005).

What our eyes see is not what our brain ends up with – We think that we are walking around looking at the world around us with our eyes, and that our eyes are sending information to the brain which processes it and gives us a realistic experience of “what’s out there”. But the truth is that what our brain comes up with is not exactly what our eyes are actually seeing.

The great interpreter – Our brain is constantly interpreting everything it sees. Take, for example, the picture below:

What do you see? Your first reaction is probably that you are looking at a triangle with a black border in the background, and a white triangle upside down on top of it. Of course that’s not really what is there, is it? What’s there are some partial lines and some partial circles. Your brain creates the shape of an upside down triangle out of blank space, because that is what it is expecting to see. This particular illusion is called a Kanizsa triangle, named after an Italian psychologist (G. Kanizsa) that first came up with it in 1955.

Shortcuts to the world – Our brains create these shortcuts in order to try and quickly make sense out of the world around us. There are so many (millions) of sensory inputs coming into our brain every second, that it has to try to make it all make sense. So it uses rules of thumb, and extrapolates what it has experience with, to make guesses about what it is seeing. Most of the time that works, but sometimes it causes errors.

What you design may not be what people see – The take-away is that what we think people are going to see may not be what they do see. It might depend on their background, knowledge, familiarity with what they are looking at, and expectations. Conversely, we might be able to persuade people to see things in a certain way, depending on how they are presented. Here’s another example from the Solso book:

By using different colored backgrounds we can draw attention and change the meaning of the sign.

What do you think? Do you think designers use these principles to draw attention on purpose? If you are a designer do you use these ideas? If we can read so well with all these misspellings, are typos even a problem?

Here’s the Solso book reference: Cognitive Psychology, edited by Solso, 7th edition, Allyn and Bacon, 2005.

By: http://www.businessinsider.com/100-things-you-should-know-about-people-part-2#what-you-see-is-not-what-your-brain-gets-1

#4 Question on Freud's theory on iceberg

"What does it mean if all of the things that Freud classified as unconscious in the mental iceberg drawing are very conscious to me and I constantly think about them?"

It means that you’re more ‘in-touch’ with your thoughts, actions and emotions and that other ‘things’ will be within your unconscious. 

Nobodies unconscious are the same. It’s made up of memories, desires, fears and motives that we’re unaware of. They ‘drive’/influence our behavior and are usually accessible with the help of therapy.

Please note that the unconscious is a theory and has never been tested as ‘real’. The diagram is to explain Freud’s idea of consciousness and someone has added those feelings/emotions to give an example of what’s in there. 

Don’t believe everything on the internet as fact.

#3 Question on tests to tell which intelligence we exhibit most of

"Do you know any good tests to tell which intelligence we exhibit most of?"

A quick search has found these two. They’re based on Gardner’s (1983) multiple intelligence.

1. Scroll down here to find the free tests, and to read all about his theory.

(http://www.businessballs.com/howardgardnermultipleintelligences.htm#multipleintelligences tests)

2. Fill this one in online (http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-assessment)

Just be aware that these tests won’t be 100% and little things like your current mood and state (fatigue, stress, hunger etc.), or interpretation of the statement will alter the results daily.

#2 Question on how neuroplasticity works

“I was wondering if you could explain how neuroplasticity works”

Neuroplasticity or plasticity is about neural pathways and our ability to create new ones. Essentially, the idea that the brain was rigid and unable to change is untrue. Our brain is like plastic and can change and learn new things easily.

Information creates a neural pathway through the brain when it travels from one neuron to the next. When we learn new information, new pathways begin to form. The more we repeat the information, the stronger those pathways become, the less we repeat, the weaker they become and eventually ‘die’ - this is called synaptic pruning.

-Plasticity occurs throughout your life, but is more frequent during childhood.

-Information can be anything from learning to ride a bike/a language, to changing our mindset (mindfulness).

There’s loads of evidence to support it, for example:

1) People who have an area of expertise - London taxi drivers have to pass a knowledge test which requires them to learn 25,000 street names in a 6 mile radius, including the locations of tubes, hospitals etc.

2) People who recover from trauma injuries (Car accidents/stroke victims) are able to return to a fully functioning lifestyle after their trauma. The brain would rewire itself and rebuild neural pathways again (Learning how to walk again).

#1 Question about why people can be independent?

“What psychological research had been discovered about why people can be independent?”

Well, independence is a subjective term and I imagine it’s quite difficult to research. What I consider to be independent may not be the same for you, or different situations may encourage people to behave differently. Humans are also horrible at judging themselves.

From the top of my head, there’s been studies into ‘Locus of Control’ which is how much personal control you believe to have in a situation. You can either have internal (You take full responsibility/control for your behaviour and actions) or external (You don’t take responsibility and believe other people control actions or behaviour in your life, or that it was all luck).

or Erikson devised life stages in which we all progress through in our own time. During each stage we have to ‘resolve’ the current conflict. 

Eg; The adolescence stage deals with Identity Vs Confusion. Independence could form here as you could experience the complexity of life and would learn about different types of perception (sensory, logical and aesthetic).

Have a look on [scholar.google.co.uk] and search the term autonomy/autonomous as well.

Do you know that our hormones help us sleep?

When it comes to motives for getting a good night’s sleep we don’t usually think about our body’s hormones. But sleep allows many of our hormones to replenish so we have the optimal energy, immunity, appetite and coping ability to face the day’s highs and lows.

The activities we do during the day – from having a fight with a partner, using our iPhones at night, running in a race, to travelling overseas – also affect our hormone levels and, in turn, our quality of sleep.

For both men and women, changes in our levels of sex hormones can affect how well we sleep. These differences also change with age.

Understanding the connections between hormones and sleep may help improve your own sleep and well-being.

What are hormones?

Our body’s hormones are like chemical messages in the bloodstream which cause a change in a particular cell or organ and surrounding tissues. The hormone adrenaline, for example, is produced by the adrenal glands (on top of the kidneys) and helps prepare the body’s “fight or flight” response during times of stress.

Hormones control many of the body’s processes, including growth, development, reproduction, responding to stress, metabolism and energy balance.

Hormones are linked with sleep in a number of ways.

Hormones affect sleep through our stress levels

Some hormones, such as adrenaline, make us feel more alert and prepared for action. This then makes it hard for us to go to sleep. To prevent this effect, it’s best to do relaxing activities before bedtime, rather than stressful work tasks or intense exercise.

When stress is long lasting, adrenocorticotrophic hormone within the pituitary gland (attached to the base of the brain) triggers the release of cortisone and cortisol from the adrenal glands.

Levels of adrenocorticotrophic hormone tend be higher in people with insomnia than in good sleepers. This suggests that excessive arousal and ongoing stressors contribute to the insomnia.

Elite athletes can have difficulty getting to sleep because they tend to have high levels of cortisol throughout the day, including in the evening.

Hormones released during sleep boost our immune system and make us hungry

Sleep is a time when several of the body’s hormones are released into the bloodstream. These include growth hormone, which is essential for growth and tissue repair, including in adults.

Sleep helps to balance our appetite by maintaining optimal levels of the hormones ghrelin and leptin. So, when we get less sleep than normal we may feel an urge to eat more.

Sleep also controls levels of the hormones insulin and cortisol so that we wake up hungry, prompting us to eat breakfast, and we are prepared for facing daytime stress.

If we get less sleep than normal our levels of prolactin may get out of balance and we can end up with a weakened immune system, difficulty concentrating and carbohydrate cravings during the day.

Hormones stop us from having to get up in the night to go to the bathroom

Changes in hormonal levels during sleep, including higher levels of aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone, prevent us from needing to go to the toilet. In children, while the hormonal system is still developing, bedwetting may be partly influenced by low levels of antidiuretic hormone.

Hormones make us feel sleepy at night

Hormone levels also influence the timing of when we feel sleepy and awake – our body clock or sleep-wake cycle. The hormone melatonin is released with darkness and tells our body it’s time to sleep. This is why being around too much bright light before bed can affect our sleep as it can stop the release of melatonin. It’s also why it can be hard for night-time shift workers to sleep during the day.

While artificial melatonin is available, taking the wrong dosage and at the wrong time of day can make things worse, so it’s best used with the guidance of a medical doctor.

Hormones give us a wake-up call in the morning

Levels of the hormone cortisol dip at bedtime and increase during the night, peaking just before waking. This acts like a wake-up signal, turning on our appetite and energy.

When we travel long distances our body’s sleep-wake cycle takes a while to adjust. So increased cortisol levels and hunger may occur at inappropriate times of the day.

For women, changes in hormones affect sleep

The relationship between hormones and the sleep-wake cycle in women is further influenced by the menstrual cycle. Just before a woman’s period, hormonal changes, including the sudden drop in levels of progesterone, affect the body’s temperature control, which in turn can reduce the amount of “REM” sleep. This is the stage of sleep when most of our dreams occur.

For women with severe premenstrual symptoms reduced levels of melatonin before bedtime just before their menstrual period can cause poor sleep, including night-time awakenings or daytime sleepiness.

Changes in hormone levels also contribute to sleeping difficulties during pregnancy. Increased progesterone levels can cause daytime sleepiness, particularly in the first trimester. High levels of oestrogen and progesterone during pregnancy can also cause nasal swelling and lead to snoring.

During menopause, low levels of oestrogen may contribute to sleeping difficulties. Changes in hormone levels mean that body temperature is less stable and there may be increases in adrenaline levels, both of which can affect sleep.

The loss of oestrogen causes body fat to move more to the stomach area, which increases the chances of women having snoring and sleep apnoea.

For men, testosterone levels affect sleep

For men, levels of testosterone are highest during sleep and require at least three hours of sleep to reach this peak. Low levels of testosterone in men, which can occur with sleep deprivation, ageing and physical problems, have been associated with a reduction in sleep efficiency and changes to the stages of sleep men experience.

Testosterone can be taken as a drug but abuse of it can lead to other sleep problems.

Hormones influence our dreams

Finally, as we sleep, our hormones, including levels of oxytocin and cortisol, may influence the content of our dreams.

By doing things to promote good sleep, such as reducing stress, engaging in relaxing evening routines before bed, going to bed and getting up at regular times, or seeking professional help for sleeping difficulties, we can facilitate the replenishing activities of our hormones that help us make the most of our day and optimise our well-being.

Source: Chemical Messenger: How Hormones Help Us Sleep

p/s: How great Allah created us, right? Subhanallah.

Bagaimana ayah, begitulah anaknya.

"Siapa yang menjaminmu hidup sampai selepas waktu zuhur?

Pertanyaan itu terlontar daripada mulut seorang pemuda kepada Khalifah Umar bin Abdul Aziz, tokoh pemimpin bergelar kulafa' ar-rasyidin kelima.
Ketika itu, khalifah yang terkenal dengan keadilannya itu sangat tersentak dengan pertanyaan si pemuda tersebut.
Apatah lagi pada ketika itu, dia sedang merebahkan dirinya beristirehat selepas selesai mengebumikan khalifah sebelumnya, Sulaiman bin Malik.

Tetapi baru sahaja dia merebahkan badannya, seorang pemuda berusia 17 tahun datang menghampiri dan mengatakan,
"Apa yang tuan lakukan wahai Amirul Mukminin?"

Umar menjawab,
"Biarkan saya tidur sejenak. Saya sangat letih dan penat sehingga hampir tiada kekuatan yang tersisa."

Namun pemuda itu kelihatan tidak puas hati dengan jawapan tersebut. Dia bertanya lagi,
"Apa tuan akan tidur sebelum mengembalikan barang yang diambil secara paksa dari pemiliknya, wahai Amirul Mukminin?"

Umar menjawab,
"Jika tiba waktu zuhur, saya bersama orang-orang saya akan mengembalikan barang-barang tersebut kepada pemiliknya."

Jawapan itulah kemudian ditanggapi oleh si pemuda,
"Siapa yang menjaminmu hidup sampai selepas waktu zuhur, wahai Amirul Mukminin?

Pemuda itu bernama Abdul Malik. Dia adalah putera Khalifah Umar sendiri.





Dipetik dari buku 'Cinta di Rumah Hasan al-Banna'

Questions to help you figure out your future.

• what are some things you like to see or have in your life? set up plan to work towards getting each one.
• What kind of lifestyle do you want to lead? Describe how you like your life to be like in 1 year, 2 year, 3 year and so forth down the line. Pay attention to your progress and small changes that occur. What would you be doing each day?
• Since you need money to survive and live the lifestyle you want, what is an ideal job that accomplishes those? How are you going to get there?
• What is your bucket list? *eg: travel. For bucket list, write out as many things as you could think of no matter how silly they are.
• How are you currently progressing towards your desired future? What are you currently doing now that's getting you closer to your future?
• What are some things you are doing now that is moving you away from the future? What could you do instead so you could move in the right direction?

Try answer these questions. These questions might help you about the direction of your future. It helps me a lot to get the clear idea about my future. Ehe.