Explain the concept of personality. Describe the cultural approach to study personality.

Cultural Approach to Personality:

• This approach explains personality in terms of individual ecology and cultural environment.

• Individual personality is determined by Group Economic Maintenance System.

• Personality is very much influenced by climatic conditions, availability of food, availability of employment and nature of terrain etc.

• The Economic Maintenance System determines people's economic activities, settlement patterns, social structures, a division of labour and other features like child-rearing practices.

• Individual psycho-physical system, skills, behavioural styles and value priorities are determined by the rituals, ceremonies, religious practices, art, games, etc.

• People develop various personality qualities in an attempt to adapt to the ecological and cultural features of a group's life.

There may be two groups belonging to two different types of cultures:

1. Birhor Society: Children of this society are allowed from an early age to move into the forest and learn hunting and gathering skills independently. Thus children from this society get freedom, autonomy and achievement-oriented from childhood.