In the field of psychology, the notion of personality has been a central topic of study and debate throughout history. Different theoretical approaches have tried to understand and explain the nature of human personality, each with their own perspectives and conceptual frameworks. In this article, we will explore how systemic and enactive perspectives address the idea of personality and how they differ from each other in their approach and understanding of the individual.
Systemic Approach of Personality
The systemic approach in psychology is based on the idea that the individual is part of a larger system, such as the family, community or society, and that a person's personality is influenced by interactions within these systems. According to this perspective, personality is not found solely in the individual, but is the result of the relationships and dynamics established between people and their environment.
Key Concepts
In the systemic approach, several key concepts are highlighted that help understand personality from this perspective. One of them is the idea of circularity, which suggests that the interactions between the members of a system are reciprocal and feed off each other. This means that a person's behaviors and personality traits cannot be understood in isolation, but must be analyzed in the context of the relationships and interactive patterns of the system as a whole.
Another important concept It is homeostasis, which refers to the dynamic balance that seeks to be maintained within a system. In relation to personality, homeostasis implies that individuals tend to maintain certain patterns of behavior and ways of relating that contribute to the stability and cohesion of the system in which they find themselves.
In addition, the systemic approach considers that social rules and norms, as well as the expectations and roles assigned to individuals within a system, have a significant impact on the development and expression of personality. These elements influence the way people perceive themselves and others, as well as the behavioral expectations that guide their interactions.
Enactive Approach to Personality
On the other hand, the enactive approach in psychology focuses on the idea that personality emerges through the dynamic interaction between the individual and his or her environment, emphasizing the active role that the subject plays in constructing his or her experience and sense of self. . From this perspective, personality is not something pre-existing and fixed, but rather develops and transforms over time through the active participation of the individual in his or her environment.
Key Concepts
In the enactive approach, emphasis is placed on the idea that the mind and body are interconnected and influence each other in the construction of conscious experience. Personality is conceived as a dynamic and fluid process, in which the actions and experiences of the individual in their immediate environment contribute to shaping their behavior patterns and ways of thinking.
A fundamental concept in Enactive perspective is that of enaction, which refers to the idea that the mind is not simply a passive information processor, but is actively involved in creating and organizing its own reality through action and perception. According to this notion, personality emerges as the individual interacts with his environment and adapts to the demands and challenges he faces.
In addition, the enactive approach highlights the importance of situated experience, i.e. the idea that personality is built through direct and experiential interaction with the world around us. The specific situations and contexts in which an individual finds themselves influence the way they perceive themselves and others, as well as the choices and decisions they make in their daily lives.
Comparison of Approaches
Although both the systemic and enactive approaches share the idea that personality is the result of interactions between the individual and their environment, there are fundamental differences in how they conceive and approach this process. While the systemic approach focuses on the relationships and dynamics between the members of a broader system, the enactive approach places emphasis on the active participation of the individual in the construction of his or her own identity and personal experience.
Integration of Perspectives
Some recent studies have suggested that an integrative approach that combines elements of both approaches could offer a more complete and holistic understanding of personality. For example, the idea of circularity from the systemic approach could be complemented by the notion of enaction from the enactive approach, so that the mutual influence between social interactions and individual action in the construction of personality is considered.
In conclusion, the idea of personality is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been approached from various theoretical perspectives in psychology. Both systemic and enactive approaches offer valuable contributions to understanding how personality develops and manifests in the individual, highlighting the importance of social relationships and active action in the construction of personal identity.
For To continue exploring this fascinating topic, we recommend that you delve deeper into current research and theories that address personality from systemic and enactive approaches, as well as consider how these perspectives can be integrated to enrich our understanding of human nature.