Personality and Attitudes, Interview Example

Each individual develops a specific and ultimately unique personality that encompasses the person’s upbringing throughout childhood.  These personalities produce many different behaviors as options for how to act and react to any given set of situations.  To examine the differences between two individuals, this paper seeks to examine the answers provide to basic interview questions for the interviewer and the interviewee.  Each individual is similar in age and economic background; therefore, their responses can generate a keen insight into the personality and behavior similarities and differences based on very specific questions.

The first question that was asked to each individual was if the person remembers information more accurately if he/she observes the behavior being performed or if he/she prefers to read how the behavior is performed.  The interviewee provided this answer: “I am more of a visual person. If I can see it being performed I retain it easier. Reading is more audible not visual and I am more of a hands on person.”  On the other hand, the interviewer responded by stating that information is easier to be retained when “I see it performed rather than just reading it. When I read something like instructions it takes much longer for me to understand it and sometimes I have to read it multiple times before I can comprehend what they are telling me, but once I see it performed I can copy the actions quickly and normally with no problem.”  These responses clearly show a difference in each respondent’s preference for observing or reading about new behaviors.  Both individuals have a preference towards seeing a behavior performed rather than reading about it.

Meanwhile, the second question asked whether the individual prefers studying in a library, or at home where there are background noises and some distractions.  The interviewee answered that she was more comfortable at home because it provided a more relaxed environment that was conducive to absorbing information.  Furthermore, he was able to take breaks away from the material at will before returning to studying.  The interviewer provided a similar response stating that home would be the best environment for studying.  “At home I can turn the television or the radio on and turn the volume down real low.  This may distract many people but for me when it gets to quiet even though I am reading my mind will start to wonder, as long as there is background noise it is much easier to keep my mind on track.”  The interviewer also agreed with the interviewee by stating that at home it is easier to relax and take breaks away from the work when necessary.

The third question attempted to examine the result of the Meyer Briggs personality test to determine personality differences between each individual.  For the interviewee results showed that he was 55.56% extroverted.  Between sensing and intuitive, he scored an even 50% for each category.  Finally, he scored 51.16% for feeling and for perceiving as well.  Therefore, her personality type is defined as ESFP or an “entertainer”.  Entertainer personality types radiate attractive warmth and optimism. Their personalities are often smooth, witty, charming and clever.  The individual is also fun to be with and exudes generosity.  Entertainers make up roughly 8.5% of the total population.  In contrast, the interviewer scored a much higher rating for extroverted in a total 62.86%.  Meanwhile, she scored a 64.86% for sensing, 58.97% for feeling and a 51.35% for judging.  Overall, these scores cumulated in a personality rating of ESFJ which is defined as the “seller” personality.  Seller personality types are the most sociable of all personality types.  These individuals are nurturers of harmony and usually act as the outstanding host of hostesses.  In total, these personalities usually make up roughly 12.3% of total population.  While these individuals scored differently in overall personality definition, they shared similar personality traits in sensing, feeling and extroverted traits.

Each individual was asked to comment on whether they felt that the results from the Meyer Briggs test were accurate.  The interviewee believed that these results were a perfect description of his personality.  “I have always been a ladies man as well as the man that other men want to be.  I am comfortable in almost any atmosphere with any group of people; [I am] always the life of the party.”  The interviewer also agreed that the results of the Meyer Briggs test provided an accurate personality description.  “I have always chosen customer service oriented jobs because I enjoy meeting different people daily, it is interesting the things I have learned just from talking to different people.  Harmony is very important in my eyes; when others are not getting along or there is a lot of tension I am very uncomfortable and I will try to lighten up the atmosphere.”  This further enhances the seller personality and suggests that the results for both the interviewee and interviewer were overall correct.  The interviewer also commented that “I am also a very caring person and do what I can to make others happy or help those in need any way I can. I also enjoy being the “hostess”, I like to invite my friends over to dinner and I just love cooking a great dinner and plan movies or games for everyone to play.”  This final remark emphasizes the “host of hostesses” aspect of the seller personality that works to please other individuals through personal actions.

The two individuals were also asked to describe which experiences he/she feels contributed most in the development of his/her personality.  The interviewee stated that he became “the man of the house at young age when my parents got a divorce; I had to look after both my mother and my sister.  My mother was also a teacher at the school I went to and she did a lot of work with the kids.  I got to be around for a lot of this and had the opportunity to meet many different people from different walks of life.”  This experience would suggest why the interviewee is generous in nature and seeks to entertain people because of the work that his mother performed working with other children.  Meanwhile, the interviewer believed that it was the people that she grew up with during childhood that added to the development of her personality the most.  “When someone would tell me they needed something or they wish something was a certain way I would feel obligated to do what I could to make them happy.  When I was able to please someone or help someone out it always made me feel good.  We also moved around a lot and I went to many different schools, which made it possible for me to meet and become friends with many different types of people.”  The final remark about moving around to different areas forced the interviewer to have to engage in “seller” type behaviors in order to make new friends.  This clearly added to the development of her personality.

The next question asked each person to evaluate if he/she felt that they were responsible for self-monitoring his/her attitudes.  The interviewee stated that he was the only person responsible for his actions and attitude.  He elaborated on this stance by stating that he “work[s] around people all the time that annoy or upset me from time to time.  If I get upset at work, there is the possibility that it could escalate to a more verbal situation.  If I feel myself starting to get annoyed or upset I take a step back and take a deep breath.”  This shows that the interviewee attempts to control his behaviors and attitudes as much as possible.  If nothing else, he at least takes responsibility for his actions instead of placing blame elsewhere.  The interviewer responded to this question by also stating that she completely self-monitors her attitude and actions.  “Most people only hear my voice and it is easy to tell the slightest change in voice with attitude changes.  When I feel my attitude start to change, I take a breather and think of the positives of the situation.  It is important that I self-monitor my attitude because it affects my customer service skills which are a major part of my job.”  Each individual may be defined by a different personality type, but both take responsibility for self-monitoring behaviors and attitude.

Similar to previous questions, both individuals were asked to state specific factors that were the strongest influence on his/her attitudes.  The interviewee responded to this question by stating that “life experiences have a major influence on my attitude towards certain situations.”  Clearly this individual bases his attitudes on prior experiences that have taught a specific lesson or may have influenced an attitude or behavior.  Meanwhile, the interviewer stated that she believes “the people in my life have the strongest influence when it comes to my attitude.  If I am around people who are upset or annoyed it tends to bring me down, but when I am around upbeat happy individuals I am happy and upbeat myself.”  This also shows a difference in each person’s personality, especially regarding how attitudes are shaped and expressed in any given situation.  While the interviewee relies on prior experiences, the interviewer relies on the actions or attitudes of people around her to define her own attitude.

The next question asked each individual to identify roles that he/she feels a person’s race, gender, or ethnicity play when forming that person’s personality and attitudes.  The interviewee stated that he did not believe “that race, gender, or ethnicity play a major part when forming a person’s personality or attitude.  I believe it depends on more of the way the child is raised and the environment in which they are raised.”  On the other hand, the interviewer stated that “a person’s race, gender, and ethnicity play a major role when forming their personality and attitude.  A minority race may develop hateful feelings if they are treated differently because of their race.  People expect certain things when it comes to certain genders: males are supposed to be strong and be the provider while females are more submissive and [act as] the caregivers.”  This shows a difference in outward perceptions of how race, gender and ethnicity work to determine an individual’s personality and attitudes.  While the interviewee does not believe that these factors have any impact, the interviewer states otherwise.  She also mentioned that different ethnicities have different beliefs that also play a role in determining an individual’s attitudes and personalities.

Finally, each person was asked if he/she feels that they are better at tasks when intrinsically motivated or extrinsically motivated.  The interviewee provided a single, solidified answer.  He stated that when he is intrinsically motivated, he is much better at task.  “When I push myself to do things I feel are important, I feel like I accomplished things that are what I want to do not what is expected of me.”  Meanwhile, the interviewer stated that her motivations are situational-based and can often vary.  “If it something that I truly want and am excited about, I can’t wait to finish so I can see the end result and pat myself on the back for the hard work I put into it.  Then, there are times when the reward I receive when I complete a task is something I want so bad that I work even harder so I get it.”  In either case, this shows that motivations, personality, attitudes and behaviors can be determined by a number of different factors.  Even when two individuals can be so similar in personality, age and background, they can have much different views on what factors are influential in personality and attitude development.