2017 Personality 01: Introduction

About this Video

• Video Title: 2017 Personality 01: Introduction
• Channel: Jordan B Peterson
• Speakers: Jordan B Peterson
• Duration: 54:03

Introduction

This introductory lecture for a personality psychology course lays the groundwork for the semester. Peterson emphasizes the complexity of personality, the limitations of fully understanding it, and the course's hybrid approach, blending scientific and clinical perspectives. He positions the study as a form of applied wisdom, focusing on self-understanding and interpersonal interaction.

Key Takeaways

• Personality's Complexity: Human personality is exceptionally complex, exceeding the complexity of the universe. Full self-understanding is unlikely, making the study of personality challenging but worthwhile.
• Hybrid Approach: The course combines scientific and engineering (clinical) approaches. Clinical psychology is viewed as an attempt to "build something," improve mental health, and address unhappiness. This involves grappling with difficult conceptual problems, as the definition of "healthy" is partly subjective and socially constructed.
• The Big Five Model: This statistical model of personality traits (extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness) is discussed as a way to understand personality structure and its correlation with various behaviors and life outcomes.
• Importance of Industriousness and Planning: Peterson highlights conscientiousness as a key trait that strongly predicts academic and professional success, emphasizing the importance of planning, scheduling, and consistent effort.
• Clinical Approach as a "Hero's Journey": The clinical process is described as a "journey to the underworld," involving confronting repressed fears and negative emotions to achieve personal growth and strength.