My interpretation of the difference between Personality and Behavior:
Bolton's Inventory Compared and Contrasted
Bolton's
inventory is clearly behavioral, it requires introspective assessment of how
others view you. It deeply analyzes interpersonal interactions between the
different behavioral styles by looking at their methods of connection, behavior
tendencies in backup, and gives insight on how to more efficiently cooperate
with behavior styles different from your own. This inventory is incredibly
in-depth and borderline pedagogic. However, some inventories aren't as
insightful as we'll see later...
When
comparing Bolton's inventory, it's clear inventories are used in a variety of
settings. For example Bolton's inventory is applicable to a workplace
environment, but is also generic enough to be applied in personal and academic
settings. It's accessible to everyone who can access his book or resources
online. Whereas in a more clinical setting, behavior inventories like the
Alcohol Beliefs Scale and Daily Sleep Diary are used to identify maladaptive
behaviors in order to develop plans to target said behaviors. Though behavioral
inventories can be found online, these more specific behavior inventories
usually are provided by professionals.
To
contrast, personality inventories are all about the individual and looking at
their unique characteristics. For example, Buzzfeed is full of personality
quizzes ranging from what your porridge says about you to which fictional badass are you? These personality inventories
are usually just for fun and not necessarily useful in future
professional careers. But maybe throwing down I'm comparable to Batman on
a resume might not be such a bad idea...
Unlike
Buzzfeed personality quizzes, Bolton's behavior inventory is very constructive
and introspective, and can totally be applicable to future professional
endeavors. Like Bolton's behavior inventory, there are personality inventories
which are definitely held in a higher regard such as the Myers-Briggs
personality test.
Conclusion
No
matter the type of inventory, they all require a degree of apperception.
Inventories whether they're behavioral or analyzing one's personality in my
opinion are subjective and necessitate a certain amount of introspection.
Ultimately, I believe any inventory is based on opinions and influences people
to put themselves into boxes that aren't always accurate. Inventories should be
used as a tool when it comes to building the person you want to become, not as
the foundation, otherwise your foundation will always be a little unstable.
Sources
1. Measuring Personality: Various Approaches Including Self-Report, Behavioral and Projective Tests. (2014, November 4). Retrieved January 25, 2015, from https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/personality-16/assessing-personality-84/measuring-personality-various-approaches-including-self-report-behavioral-and-projective-tests-321-12856/
2. What Your Porridge Says About You (2015, January 23). Retrieved January 25, 2015, from http://www.buzzfeed.com/tomchivers/you-better-salt-your-porridge#.pkYy29plo
3. Which Fictional Badass Are You? (2015, January 23). Retrieved January 25, 2015, from http://www.buzzfeed.com/danielkibblesmith/which-fictional-badass-are-you#.qj1gmjly9
4. Myers, I. B. (1962). The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Manual (1962).
