"The enduring configuration of characteristics and behavior that comprises an individual’s unique adjustment to life, including major traits, interests, drives, values, self-concept, abilities, and emotional patterns.
Personality is generally viewed as a complex, dynamic integration or totality shaped by many forces, including hereditary and constitutional tendencies; physical maturation; early training; identification with significant individuals and groups; culturally conditioned values and roles; and critical experiences and relationships."
Personality
Self Determination Theory -
(Me: I was raised by adults who used the reinforcement theory: behaviour is driven by its consequences - generally nothing was explained or corrected in such a way as to put a child on any other path - this, I believe, helped me become a 'questioning everything' personality which, I believe, helped me greatly in finding out the truth for myself)
"SDT describes factors that help or hinder human motivation, including both internal motivation and external influences. At the core of Ryan and Deci’s theory was the concept that self-directed motivation and personal growth rely on three psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
When those needs are met, the research showed, people tend to be more self- motivated, feel more satisfied, and experience greater well-being. By contrast, when people are motivated to act because of external pressures—or internal pressure to live up to external expectations—they have more trouble staying engaged and feel less fulfilled."
Self-determination theory: A quarter century of human motivation research
"In a
study under review for publication, she compared two antiracist messages influenced by SDT—one self-focused and the other focused on empathy for others—with an externally driven message that encouraged antiracism as a way to conform with social norms. Of the three approaches, the SDT message built on interpersonal empathy was most likely to increase awareness of bias, egalitarianism, antiracism, and allophilia (positive feelings for members of a different group). The findings suggest that not all types of internal motivation are created equally."
"The mini theories of SDT
SDT has grown to become a meta-theory comprised of six smaller sub-theories.
- Cognitive evaluation theory: addresses effects of social contexts and how factors such as rewards, interpersonal controls, and ego-involvements affect intrinsic motivation
- Organismic integration theory: addresses different forms of extrinsic motivation and their properties, determinants, and consequences
- Causality orientations theory: describes individual differences in the ways people orient toward environments and regulate their behavior
- Basic psychological needs theory: elaborates on the concept of evolved psychological needs and their relations to psychological health and well-being
- Goal contents theory: grows out of the distinctions between intrinsic and extrinsic goals and their impact on motivation and wellness
- Relationships motivation theory: concerns the development and maintenance of relatedness, one of the three basic psychological needs."
So one's chosen paths have many factors at play. Know thyself.
"For Socrates, all knowledge must start with the individual and the cultivation of the rational part of their soul. Only then can one acquire knowledge of the world around them, including objects, things, and other people. Socrates believed that knowing oneself was the first step towards wisdom, and that it required courage to persevere, acknowledge failure, and live with the knowledge of one’s own ignorance.
Socrates also believed that knowing oneself meant recognizing one’s true nature as an immortal soul. He argued for the immortality of the soul in his Phaedo dialogue and believed that by knowing oneself as an immortal soul, one could live in accordance with their true nature and make decisions that align with their highest good."
What Is "Know Thyself" By Socrates? A Comprehensive Overview - DeepThinkers
"Additionally, emotions can cloud our judgment and make it difficult to see ourselves objectively. Fear, anxiety, and other negative emotions can prevent us from confronting our weaknesses and acknowledging our mistakes.
Finally, achieving self-knowledge requires a willingness to be introspective and reflective. It takes effort and courage to examine oneself honestly, and many people may avoid doing so out of fear or discomfort.
Despite these challenges, achieving self-knowledge is possible with practice and dedication. By being honest with ourselves, seeking feedback from others, and engaging in introspection, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and live more fulfilling lives."
Yeah, so, a lot going on there on all those paths, which for some may take a life time to navigate and find self-knowledge.
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