PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT

LECTURE NOTE

LESSON 1: THE POWERFUL BRAIN

• The human brain is the only organ in the human body that lacks nerves
despite the fact that it acts as the central command for the central
nervous system. This simply implies that the human brain feels no pain.
• "There is 2,500,000 gigabytes of storage space in your brain. The top-of-
the-line iPhone X has 256."
• There are about 100 billion neurons in a human brain, which is about
the same as the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy.
• Riding a bike seems impossible at first. But soon you master it. How? As you practice, your brain
sends "bike riding" messages along certain pathways of neurons over and over, forming new
connections. In fact, the structure of your brain changes every time you learn, as well as
whenever you have a new thought or memory.
• Humans have large brains relative to body weight. The adult human brain weighs about three
pounds (1,300–1,400 grams). But would a bigger brain make you smarter? That's unlikely. A sperm
whale's brain weighs about 17 pounds, or 7,800 grams.

There are three ways in which adolescents differ from adults and
children:
1. They lack mature capacity for self-regulation in emotional situations;
2. They have a heighten sensitivity to external influences, such as peer
pressure and immediate incentives; and
3. They show less ability to make judgments and decisions that require
future orientation. - The National Research Council (2013)
 Adolescence is a period of intensive construction for brains, when the architecture of the brain
is being built.
 The adolescent brain is not fully developed until age 25 specifically on their pre-frontal cortex.
 Risky behavior that can result in delinquency proceedings is the product of the interaction
between the emotional region of the brain and the underdeveloped control region.

THE AMAZING BRAIN

Shape: The brain closely resembles a head of cauliflower

Size: It is similar to a large grapefruit or cantaloupe
Composition: The brain is mostly water (78 percent), fat (10 percent), and protein
(8 percent).
Texture: It is about the same as soft butter, but some parts are as gooey as raw eggs
or yogurt.

NERVOUS SYSTEM
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) – processes, interprets and stores incoming sensory information-
information about our 5 senses to be exact; tastes, sounds, smells, color, pressure on the skin, the state
of internal organs etc. It is the specific command center (depicted in yellow color) that sends out
orders destined for muscles, glands and body organs. The (CNS) has to major parts, the brain and
spinal cord. The spinal cord is the extension of the brain. It runs from the base of the brain down the
 center of the back, protected by a column of bones.
The cord acts as a sort of bridge between the brain and
the parts of the body below the neck.

PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS) – as the term

“outlying” or “beyond” the CNS, this system handles the
CNS’s input and output. It contains all portions of the
nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord, right
down to nerves in the tips of the fingers and toes.

MAJOR PARTS OF THE BRAIN

The Hindbrain
This part of the brain is responsible for our instinctive, autonomic behavior
and serves survival functions.
 MEDULLA controls vital function like respiration, blood circulation,
digestion, and heart race.
 CEREBELLUM regulates posture, balance, and muscular
coordination.
 PONS acts as bridge between the medulla and other parts of the
brain; regulates movement, sleep, and arousal.
 RETICULAR ACTIVATING SYSTEM/ RETICULAR FORMATION regulates
attention, movement, sleep, waking, and reflexes.

The Mid-brain
This part is the conduction and switching center of the
brain that enables responses, like muscle movements to happen,
and for auditory and visual system to transpire. For example,
perceiving letters, words, symbols, and following verbal
directions. This does not only require to hear the words, but to
recall and follow the sequence of instruction. Problems with
auditory or visual processing may result in certain learning
disabilities like dyslexia and central auditory processing disorder.

The Forebrain
This is incharge of our intellectual activity and
consciousness.
 CEREBRUM acts as “executive center” of the brain
responsible for remembering, learning, and thinking,
as well as taking charge of language and emotion.
 THALAMUS relays sensory information.
 HYPOTHALAMUS secrets hormones and controls
physiological functions like temperature, hunger, and
thirst.
 CORPUS CALLOSUM connects the two hemisphere.
 PITUITARY GLAND is the master gland that secretes
hormones and controls the endocrine system.
 THE LOBES Processes higher
Involved in purposeful sensory and language
acts like judgment, functions
creativity, problem
solving, and planning.

Primarily responsible
for vision
Primarily responsible
for hearing, memory,
meaning, and language.
Some overlap in
functions of the lobes.
The Limbic System
(THE CHEMISTRY LAB AND DRAMA DEPARTMENT)
 AMYGDALA controls major affective activities like
friendship, love and affection, on the expression
of mood and, mainly, on fear, rage and
aggression.
 HIPPOCAMPUS is particularly involved with
memory phenomena, especially with the
formation of long-term memory.
 THALAMUS makes connections
 HYPOTHALAMUS - symptomatic manifestations
and expression of emotions
 BRAIN STEM – emotional reflex reactions

LATERALIZATION OF THE BRAIN

BRAIN DOMINANCE THEORY

Lateralization - when a certain cognitive function is processed in one of the hemispheres, as opposed
to the other. A clear example of lateralization:
 Left brain takes care of sensory-motor functions of the right half of the body
 Right brain takes care of sensory-motor functions of the left half of body
 WHOLE BRAIN THEORY
 Based on the notion that the entire brain is active during mental (cognitive) processing, and
there is interaction among various parts during mental processes such as perceptions and
memory.
 The brain is divided into four quadrants where each quadrant is responsible for particular
activity.
 All brain functions are interconnected and inseparable from memory functions.

THINKING STYLES IDEAL UNDERTAKINGS

ANALYTICAL THINKING Gathering data, attending information talks, examining course
books, assessing concepts based on evidence, standards, rational
thinking
PRACTICAL THINKING Obeying instructions, solving cyclical itemized assigned problems,
time management, and programs
RELATIONAL THINKING Paying attention to and expressing thoughts, examining subjective
value, sensory input, ad cluster training

EXPERIMENTAL THINKING Viewing the entire image, being resourceful, replications (what-if
questions), graphical support, being conscious of the attractiveness
of a challenge, and brainstorming

DEVELOPING YOUR CREATIVITY

MIND MAPPING
 Mind mapping is a powerful thinking tool. It is a graphical technique that mirrors the way the
brain works, and was invented by Tony Buzan. Mind mapping helps to make thinking more
visible.
 Most people make notes using lined paper and blue or black ink. Making notes more
attractive to the brain by adding color and rhythm can aid the learning process, and can
help to make learning fun.
 The subject being studied is crystallized in a central image and the main theme radiates out
from the central image on branches. Each branch holds a key image or a key word
Examples of Mind Mapping
Advantages of Mind Maps
●Balancing the Brain
●Organizing thoughts
●Creativity
●Speed
●Having an Overview of the Subject at a Glance
●Improved Learning and Memory
What You Can Do
People actually remember more of what they hear and read if they are in a positive emotional state
when they hear or read it.

Positive Emotions = Sharper Memory
 Keep yourself physically healthy and well rested and to develop awareness of—and some
control over your emotions.
 Take some short breaks e.g. such as toss a ball back and forth with a classmate, saying a word
related to your lesson each time you catch the ball.
 Do certain activities, such as interacting with friends, laughing, physical activity, listening to
someone read to you, and acting kindly increase dopamine levels. You’ll boost your learning if
you get them into your day
 Experience pride at accomplishing something
 Think about your personal strengths, such as artistic ability, leadership, helping classmates
resolve conflicts, athletic skill, or even qualities like optimism, kindness, and empathy.
 Use these skills to do projects you want to do—and do them well—and you’ll find you can use
your brain power more successfully to make judgments and solve problems.

MNEMONIC DEVICE – Sharpening memory

A mnemonic device is one way to help you remember. One type of mnemonic is called an
"acrostic." An acrostic is a phrase that uses the first letters of words to remember the entire phrase. For
example, the phrase:
My Very Excellent Mom Just Served Us Nachos
This the order of planets from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
This is because the first letters in each of the words of the phrase are the first letters of the eight
planets in order.
 End of the lesson 

LESSON 2: EMOTIONS

Emotions – adopted from the French word “emouvoir” which means “to stir up”.
 It is also referred to as a state of arousal and an attempt to label it.
 “affective experiences resulting from the fusion of complex sensory ad perceptual
stimulation with established pattern of behavior, accompanied by inner adjustment
stirred-up states as expressed in one or another form of overt behavior” (Kapunan, 1971).
Why do we have to know?
• To understand how our brains, process basic and higher level of emotions
• It increases our awareness of why we react the way we sometimes do
• Emotion and our body have a big relationship
What Are Positive Emotions?
Positive emotions are emotions that we typically find pleasurable to experience. The Oxford
Handbook of Positive Psychology defines them as “pleasant or desirable situational
responses…distinct from pleasurable sensation and undifferentiated positive affect” (Cohn &
Fredrickson, 2009).
 Broaden out Thought-action repertoires
 Undo Negative Emotions
 Enhances Resilience
 Build Psychological Repertoire
 Triggers an Upward Developmental Spiral

What Are Negative Emotions?

On the other hand, negative emotions are those that we typically do not find pleasurable to
experience. Pam (2013) defined negative emotions as “an unpleasant or unhappy emotion which is
evoked in individuals to express a negative effect towards an event or person.”
If an emotion discourages and drags you down, then it is most likely a negative emotion.
 Narrows our Action Repertoires (Behaviors)
 It doubts our existence
 It brings us to our depth and put us in touch with our deeper lives
 Facilitate learning and understanding of ourselves

“Do We Need Both?”

Look back over the list of sample negative emotions. Do you want to feel any of those emotions? You
probably do not want it! No wonder it does not feel good to experience any of those emotions.

Now, look at the list of sample positive emotions. It is easy to see that this list is full of pleasurable
emotions that people tend to seek out. We know that we need positive emotions to function
effectively, grow, and thrive.
Positive psychologists also argue that while there are many benefits to positive emotional states, our
negative emotions are also designed to keep us safe and to motivate us to improve our lives, just as
positive emotions do. So, do we need them both? The answer is yes!

Improving Managing Emotions and Its Importance on Communication

Emotional Intelligence is a combination of different skills.

1. Being Aware of Your Emotions

Most people feel different emotions throughout the day, some feelings (like a surprise) last just a few
seconds. Others may stay longer, creating a mood like happiness or sadness. Being able to notice
and accurately label these everyday feelings is the most basic of all the EQ skills. Being aware of our
emotions—merely noticing them as we feel them – helps us manage our own emotions. It also a way
to understand how other people feel. Practice recognizing emotions as you feel them. Label them in
your mind, and do not disregard them. Do remember to make it a daily habit to be aware of your
emotions. It is okay not to be okay. So, do not be afraid to voice out what you feel!

2. Understanding how others feel and Why

People are naturally born to try to understand others. Part of EQ is being able to imagine how other
people might feel in certain situations. Try to understand why they feel the way they do. Being able to
imagine what emotions a person is likely to be feeling is called empathy. Empathy helps us to care
about others and to build good friendships and relationships. It guides us on what to say and how to
behave around someone who is feeling strong emotions.

3. Managing Emotional Reactions

Everyone gets angry. Everyone feels disappointments. Often, it is important to express how you feel.
However, managing your reaction means knowing when, where, and how to express yourself. When
you become overly stressed, you lose control of your emotions, including how you act thoughtfully
and appropriately. Thus, when you learn to understand your emotions and know how to manage
them, you can control yourself to hold a reaction that is not appropriate for a particular time or
place. Someone who has a good EQ knows that it can damage relationships to react to emotions
disrespectfully, too intense, too impulsive, or harmful.

4. Choosing your Mood

Part of managing emotions is choosing our moods. Moods are emotional states that last a bit. We
have the power to decide what is right for a specific situation. Choosing the right mood can help
someone get motivated, concentrate on a task, or try again instead of giving up. People with good
EQ know that moods are not just things that happen to us. We can control them by knowing which
mood is best for a particular situation.

 EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EI)/ EMOTIONAL QUOTIENT (EQ)

Emotional Intelligence (EI). “The capacity for recognizing our own feelings and those of others, for
motivating ourselves, and for managing emotions as well in ourselves and in our relationships. -Daniel
Goleman (1998)
EI/EQ refers to emotional management skills which provide competence to balance emotions and
reason, so as to maximize long term effectiveness and happiness

4 components of EQ

 Your goals and intentions

 Your reactions
 Your responsiveness
 Your body language
 Your tone of voice
 Your attitude
 Your listening

 Your ability to stop reactive behavior in real time

 Your ability to break old habits
 Your ability to avoid any acts of relationship sabotage.

 Empathy
 Tuning in to other people
 Knowing what they need
 Taking the leadership role in maintaining the “connection”
 The ability to connect

 Building Teamwork, Trust and mutual respect

 Focusing more on the relationship
 Continually building affective collaboration skills

Why is EQ important?
1. Physical Health
The ability to take care of our bodies and specially to manage our stress, which has an incredible
impact on our overall wellness, is heavily tied to our emotional intelligence. Only by being aware of
our emotional state and our reactions to stress in our lives can we hope to manage stress and
maintain good health.

2. Mental Well-Being
Emotional Intelligence affects our attitude and outlook in life. It can also help to alleviate anxiety and
avoid depression and mood swings. A high level of emotional intelligence directly correlates to a
positive attitude and happier outlook in life.
 3. Relationships
By better understanding and managing our emotions, we are better able to communicate our
feelings in a more constructive way. We are also better able to understand and relate to those with
whom we are in relationships. Understanding the needs, feelings, and responses of those we care
about leads to stronger and more fulfilling relationships.

4. Conflict Resolution
It is much easier to resolve conflicts or possibly avoid them before they start. We are also better at
negotiation due to the very nature of our ability to understand the needs and desires of others.

5. Success
Help us to be stronger internal motivators, which can reduce procrastination, increase self-
confidence, and improve our ability to focus on a goal.
Create a better networks of support, overcome setbacks, and persevere with a more resilient
outlook.

6. Leadership
A step to become great leaders can recognize what the needs of his people are, so that those
needs can be met in a way that encourages higher performance and workplace satisfaction.
Able to build stronger teams by strategically utilizing the emotional diversity of their team members to
benefit the team as a whole.

TRY THIS!
Anger Management
We all know what anger is, and we have all felt it. Anger is an entirely normal, usually healthy, human
emotion. However, when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems at work,
in your relationships, and the overall quality of your life.

Whenever you feel angry, try these steps.

1. Ask yourself: How does my body feel?
2. Calm down by deep breathing, counting backward slowly and think of calming thoughts.
3. Talk to yourself. Slowly repeat a calm word or phrase such as "relax," "take it easy." Repeat it
to yourself while breathing deeply.
4. Think about the source of your anger later. Why was I angry? What did I do? What worked
and what did not work? What would I do differently? Did I do a good job?

 End of the lesson 