The concept of individual style of activity (ISD) appeared in labor psychology. Currently, it has become widespread not only in this area. E. A. Klimov, one of its first researchers, used this concept to study industrial professions. He found out that the ISD is determined by the originality of the actions that a person uses to achieve the goal. Not only E. A. Klimov studied this concept. It was also considered in the works of such researchers as N. S. Leites, A. N. Leontiev, V. S. Merlin and others.
Signs of individual style, ISD in the broadest sense
ISD can be determined based on specific features. The most commonly recognized among the formal are the following:
- sustainable system of methods and techniques of activity;
- this system should be due to personal qualities;
- it is a means by which a person effectively adapts to certain objectiverequirements.
Individual style of activity in psychology, generally speaking, implies all the distinctive features of the activity of a certain person in their system, which are explained by the characteristics of his personality. However, to facilitate the task, researchers often consider only the features due to the properties of the nervous system.
ISD in the narrow sense
An individual style of activity in the narrow sense is a stable system of methods (due to typological features) that develops in a person who strives for the most effective implementation of a particular activity. Speaking of methods, we have in mind not only executive or motor acts. These can also be gnostic acts, a change in functional states, or orienting actions, if they serve as a means to achieve a goal (for example, “self-excitation” among speakers, actors). An individual style of activity, in other words, is an individually unique set of psychological means that a person resorts to (consciously or spontaneously) to best balance his own individuality (typologically conditioned) with external, objective conditions of activity.
Core of individual style
The most general structure is as follows. There are such methods, features of activity that, as it were, spontaneously, without noticeable effort or even involuntarily, are provoked in a given situation due to the presence of a complex of typological properties in the nervous system of an individual. Datafeatures can be defined as the core of individual style. They provide the first adaptive effect. It is these features, and not the specific individual qualities of a person, that largely determine which direction the process of balancing with the environment will take in the future. However, they do not provide an adaptive effect in full. Another group of features of activity appears. They are developed as a result of spontaneous or conscious searches, more or less prolonged. This group complements the individual style, being a kind of extension to its core.
Let's take an example. On the basis of inertia, a person naturally has a tendency not to break away from work. This feature of activity can be defined as bringing actions to the end, which is a way of balancing with the environment. Inertia is the basis on which smooth and slow movements are easily carried out, a person begins to give preference to one or another stereotypical mode of action. In the future, the formation of an individual style of activity leads to the fact that he tries to punctually observe the accepted order. On the basis of mobility, opposite features of activity are spontaneously formed in a similar way.
In a series of features of this kind that are included in the core of an individual style, the following two categories will certainly be found:
- those features that contribute to success in a certain environment (let's designate them "A");
- those who oppose success ("B").
It should be emphasized that this division is purely functional. This means that a feature of an activity in one case may be in category "A", and in another case it may be in category "B". It depends on the nature of the objective requirements. For example, when manually polishing a product, the preference for unhurried monotonous movements will be in category "A", and if it is necessary to change the nature of movements frequently and urgently (for example, to maintain balance on an unstable support), it will be in category "B".
Addition to the core
Over time, to the extent of the presence of typologically conditioned features favorable for the performance of the activity, elements of attachment to the core also appear. We are talking about finding and using to the maximum all the opportunities that open up in connection with this group of features of activity.
For example, acrobatic athletes who have inertia prefer exercises that include smooth and slow movements, static postures. Here they achieve maximum results. Belonging to the inert type, machine operators bring the systematicity in their work and the orderliness of the workplace to perfection. Mobile people, on the other hand, make the most of their inherent speed resources, as well as the ability to switch frequently and quickly. They "find themselves" on this path.
So amongabilities that are attached to the core also fall into two categories:
- having a compensatory value (let's designate them "B");
- associated with making the most of positive opportunities ("G").
Degree of manifestation of individual style of activity
It turns out that the ISD is formed and expressed the more, the more features that belong to the following categories: "A", "C", "D". It is also expressed the more, the less there are uncompensated features included in category "B".
The task of classifying, describing the structure and even predicting the features of ISD in sports, teaching, work would be relevant and relatively simple if the individual style was unambiguously determined by a certain complex of human features given to him by nature. However, psychologists state that there is no such individual style. If the latter is understood as a certain integral effect resulting from the interaction of a person with a social or natural environment, then in each case we must recognize where the ISD is or should be formed.
Surely while reading the article you had an idea about temperament. Is it possible to say that it is he who determines the individual style of activity? Let's find out.
Human temperament
Temperament is a set of properties that characterize the dynamics of human behavior and the course of mental processes, their occurrence, change and termination,speed and strength. The properties of temperament can only conditionally be attributed to the number of personal qualities. Rather, we can say that they are innate, determined mainly biologically. However, temperament has a significant impact on the behavior and character of a person. Sometimes it defines his personality and actions. Therefore, it cannot be completely separated from the individual. Temperament, as it were, links the body, personality and various cognitive processes.
The teaching and the very idea of temperament go back to the writings of Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician. It was he who gave the characteristics of the main types. However, Hippocrates associated temperament with the ratio of fluids in the body, and not with the characteristics of the nervous system, as is customary in modern science. Briefly describe each of the types of temperament.
Sanguine
The sanguine type means that the person has a cheerful disposition. Let's try to identify its strengths and weaknesses. Sanguine is a hopeful optimist, humorist, joker. A person quickly ignites, just as quickly cools. He promises a lot, but does not always keep his promises. A person easily communicates with strangers, is a good conversationalist. He is kind and ready to help others. He quickly gets tired of strenuous physical or mental work.
Melancholic
Melancholic temperament is characteristic of a person of a gloomy mood. He usually lives a busy and complex inner life. Melancholic has a vulnerable soul, increased anxiety. He is often reserved, especially when it comes to promises. Such a person suffers greatly if he does not keep his promise.
Choleric
Choleric temperament is characteristic of a quick-tempered person, about whom they say that he is unrestrained, hot. However, if they meet him halfway, give in, he quickly calms down and cools down. His movements are short and jerky.
Phlegmatic
Phlegmatic temperament is characteristic of a cold-blooded person, inclined not to active, hard work, but to inactivity. A person slowly becomes excited, but for a long time. This compensates for the slow pace of entry into work.
It should be noted that each temperament has its strengths and weaknesses. It cannot be argued that some of them are better and some are worse.
Temperament and individual activity style
ISD determines the combination of those properties of temperament that are manifested in the communication and actions of a person, in his cognitive processes. An individual style of activity is a system of its dynamic features, depending on temperament, which contains work methods typical for a particular person.
Let's make an important remark. It cannot be reduced to the temperament of the ISD, since the latter is determined by a number of other reasons. Individual style also includes skills and abilities that are formed under the influence of a person's life experience. That which is observedfor the individual we perceive as signs of his temperament (various forms of behavior, reactions, movements), is often a reflection not of temperament, but of ISD, the features of which can either diverge from the latter or coincide with it. Thus, one should distinguish between such concepts as "temperament" and "individual style of activity".
