Theory of Character and Characterization

On the other hand, the family also plays a big role in determining someone’s personality. As Rainwater explains in Hurlock’s book, “personality is formed from the interaction of signicifant figures first, the mother, later the father and siblings, later extrafamilial firgues with the child” Hurlock, 1974: 19. It shows that before someone socialize with other people outside home, his personality is shaped by his or her family interaction. Lastly, when a person interacts with the people outside home, it is also shaped his or her personality. It may cause someone’s personality develops. Based on the explanation above, it means that the personality of someone develops as it is also influenced by the experience the environment where heshe lives. In her book, Hurlock explains that it is a common thing for a person who is not satisfied with his or her personality. After that, when a person dislikes one of the personality then he or she will try to change or improve the personality patterns. According to Hurlock, changes in personality pattern were devided into three major categories Hurlock, 1974: 120-122: a. Better versus worse This personality change depends on the situation or condition of someone’s life. “Personality changes for the better or for the worse reflect the kind of life adjustments the individual is making at the time ” Hurlock, 1974: 120. It means that if someone could adapt and adjust in life situation, heshe can change the personality into the better one. Otherwise, the personality can also get worse if heshe could not adapt or adjust in life situation. b. Quantitative versus qualitative In her book, Hurlock states that “in qualitative changes, an already-present trait usually an undesirable one, is replaced by another trait, usually a desirable one” Hurlock, 1974: 121. In her book, Hurlock gives an example in the case of selfishness, a qualitative change would mean that selfishness was eliminated and replaced with generosity. While in quantitative changes, characteristics already present are reinforced, strengthened or weakened. Based on her explanation, it means that the quantitative c hanges of someone’s personality can be strengthened or weakened. But the qualitative changes mean someone’s personality changes very radically because some factors. It means that the previous characteristic is replaced with new characteristics. c. Slow versus rapidly According to Hurlock, personality changes are slow and gradual. “It happens because every change involves the breaking of a previously learned habit and the learning of a new habit to replace it ” Hurlock, 1974: 122. It means that it takes time for someone to change or develop hisher personality so it cannot take place over night. In addition, there are several conditions which responsible for personality change in someone. Hurlock says that changes in personality do not occur of their own accord. Usually they are the result of multiple revisions in the thoughts and feelings related to the person’s concept of self. According to Hurlock, the conditions which responsible for personality changing are: physical changes, changes in environment, changes in significant people, changes in social pressures, changes in roles, strong motivation, changes in the self-concept and use of psychotherapy Hurlock, 1974: 124-130. However, there are only some conditions which are related in this study. First, changes in significant people. Personality of someone can develop as the result of the change in the concept of significant people in his or her life. The significant people can be the family, friends, lover, spouse, employer, and children. As Hurlock expla ins, “when the significant people in an individual’s life change, and when someone tries to adapt the pattern of hisher behavior, attitudes, beliefs, values and aspirations to theirs, changes in someone’s personality pattern are inevitable” Hurlock, 1974: 126. Briefly, from time to time, there is a change in the concept of significant people to a person. If there is a gap or a big difference between the individual and the significant people, the individual will be motivated to develop his or her personality to narrow the gap. Second, strong motivation . According to Hurlock, “when the motivation to improve the personality pattern is strong enough, changes can be effected Hurlock, 1974: 127. Changes in someone’s personality can be the result of strong motivation to improve someone’s personality pattern. People are strongly motivated to change those traits to improve their social relationships in order to get greater social acceptance. Third, changes in the self-concept. Hurlock defines that, “the self-concept is the core of the personality pattern” Hurlock, 1974: 128. It means that when there is a change in the self- concept of someone’s personality it may also cause the