Personality Theory

6.2 Discussion. Framing Your Story

Getting Started

Earlier in the course, in Workshop Three, we discussed the concepts of growth and fixed mindsets. A growth mindset sees problems as solvable. It may not be immediately apparent what the solution is, but if you keep working at it, exploring multiple angles, you can usually find a solution. In contrast, the fixed mindset bumps up against adversity and often concludes that the problem is too difficult to figure it out. Those with growth mindsets are likely to persevere; those with fixed mindsets tend to give up too quickly. But along the path of both mindsets is a series of choices that each person makes. Those choices are often the difference between success and failure.

This discussion features an entertaining video by Sir Ken Robinson where he makes this statement: “Your life evolves from the choices you make.” From the perspective of the growth mindset, we might translate that quote as: “I need to choose to keep working on this problem and not make it a test of my intelligence or of my adequacy as a person.” From the perspective of a fixed mindset, it might translate as: “I need to choose to stop working on this problem because the more I work on it the more inadequate I feel, and I hate feeling like a failure.” Both mindsets are perpetuated by choices; one to persevere and the other to give up.

This idea of perseverance coincides with the Hero’s Journey. A hero is often a person who turns a potential tragedy into a triumph. Is the dilemma the hero faces typically easy or quickly resolved? Of course not. The hero must make difficult choices, sometimes perilous ones, and often feels like giving up. But it is the perseverance that distinguishes the hero from the many others who fell away because the challenge was perceived as more than they could take on.

The examples of heroes who showed extraordinary perseverance are many, but here are two inspiring ones. As a young girl in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai defied the Taliban and demanded that girls be allowed to receive an education. For taking that stance, she was shot in the head in 2012, but she survived and went on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She continues to advocate for women’s rights worldwide.

Helen Keller experienced a serious illness as a toddler that left her permanently blind and deaf. With the help of a patient and tireless teacher, she learned to communicate and eventually graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College. She went on to marry, write books, and give speeches, and she traveled to 35 countries as an advocate for the blind.

As you engage in this last discussion of the course, keep these examples of a growth mindset and perseverance in mind as you reflect on Robinson’s statement: “Your life evolves from the choices you make.” The two questions you will be asking yourself for this discussion are:

1. What choice(s) do I now have before me as a result of what I’ve learned in this course about my personality?

2. How might I leverage the choice(s) I have and incorporate them into my TED Talk and/or my capstone course project?

As you share your insights in the discussion, you will also be enriched by the choices your classmates are facing in their lives and have the opportunity to interact with them on these weighty and potential life-changing issues.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Distill an important insight from the course assignments and personal reflections that can be used in the TED talk and/or capstone project.

Resources

· Textbook:  Personality Psychology: Understanding Yourself and Others

· Video & Transcript: Life Is Your Talents Discovered

· Website: Academic Writer

· Website: OCLS Evaluating Sources Page

Background Information

Before you participate in the discussion, read Chapter 14 from the textbook and view the video by Sir Ken Anderson, “Life is Your Talents Discovered.” In this final discussion of the course, make a concerted effort to be substantive in your response to the questions that pertain to both you and your classmates. These are weighty issues that are being discussed. Be especially sensitive and respectful to those who are vulnerable from their experience or possible struggles.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

2. Read Chapter 14 in your textbook.

a. Watch the video,  Life Is Your Talents Discovered

i. Transcript of the video .

3. Navigate to the discussion topic and respond to the following:

a. In the TED Talk by Sir Ken Robinson, “Life Is Your Talents Discovered,” he states, “Your life evolves from the choices you make.”

b. Choose one insight you’ve had about your personality from the course that involves a personal choice, and share it in the discussion forum. Be sure to explain why it carries weighty significance for you.

c. How do you see this insight possibly playing a part in your TED Talk and/or capstone project?

4. Your initial post should be between 400 and 500 words.

5. Your initial post is due by the end of the fourth day of the workshop.

6. Read and respond to at least two of your classmates' postings, as well as instructor follow-up questions directed to you, by the end of the workshop.

7. All references and citations should be in APA format.

a. For information on how to cite sources and format a paper properly, review the  Academic Writer  website or the OCLS  APA Style Page .

b. For information on the criteria for credible Internet research websites, review the  OCLS Evaluating Sources page .

Your postings should also:

c. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.

d. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.