Theory on the Relation between Psychology and Literature

Hurlock in Personality Development states that human life consists of two aspects, which are individual and social aspects. For the individual aspects, it is concerned with physical changes and human’s personality development. Human’s personality development itself is influenced by two factors. First is human’s early experience within family. Second is important events happening outside the home 1974: 19-20. Cole in his book entitled Psychology of Adolescence states that personality is not merely fixed by heredity. Sometimes, it is influenced and supported by the environmental pressures. It is also quickly affected by illness, decease or unusual emotional strain 1956: 156. His opinion about the personality is not merely fixed by the heredity is supported by Pervin and John. They state in their book Personality Theory and Research 7 th edition state that there are two determinants; they are genetic or heredity and environmental determinant. There are difficulties in fundamental scientific study on human heredity since the experiments are barred by our moral code. Environmental determinant gives the biggest contribution towards someone’s personality. Environmental determinant consists of culture, social class, family and peers 1997: 9 First is culture. Someone’s experiences in a particular culture are significant environmental determinant. By having these experiences, someone will have a certain personality characteristic. It is because of cultural diversity influences every aspects of our existence. For examples, it influences the way we define our needs, our experiences of different emotions, the way we express what we are feeling, also our relationship with others and with ourselves 1997: 11. All that a person does is culturally determined. This powerful influence of culture has attained maximum effect. Frustrations and negative feelings often occur as they face cultural rules and expectations. The significance of a culture in determining behavior is seen in the concept of ‘social clocks’. Not only culturally determined behavior become a part of the individual in certain time Corsini, 1994: 369. Second is social class. Social classes, whether lower class or upper class, working class or professional, also has an important role in shaping our personality. Social class factors help people to determine their own status, the roles they perform, the duties they are bound to, and the privileges they enjoy. These factors influence how individuals see themselves and how they recognize members of other social classes. The same as cultural factors, social factors also influence the way people define situations and the way they respond to them 1997: 11. All known societies have some type of stratification system that represents the hierarchical arrangement of status, prestige, resources, privileges, and power within society. Social classes are the relatively homogenous groupings that share similar levels of status and resources in the stratification system. Each class tends to develop its own ideology and social norms. As a result, social classes may differ on characteristics ranging from parenting style to political ideas. Third is family. Parents may be warm and loving or hostile and rejecting, overprotective or possessive or aware of their children’s need for freedom and autonomy. Parents may also influence their children’s behavior through three ways; through their own behavior, they serve as role models for identification, and PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI