CHARACTER FORMATION WITH LEADERSHIP, DECISION MAKING,

ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

MODULE 1
CHAPTER 1 (CHARACTER FORMATION)
Introduction
Character is a psychological notion that refers to all the habitual ways
of feeling and reacting that distinguish one individual from another.
Sigmund Freud had a sustained interest in the question of character
formation, since it touches on the major themes that interested him:
"anatomo-physiological destiny," memory traces, and, more generally, the
role of acquired traits, as well as the function of sublimation with regard to
the "remains" of the pregenital libido.
In The Interpretation of Dreams (1900a), Freud defined character in
relationship to the unconscious: "What we describe as our 'character' is
based on the memory-traces of our impressions; and, moreover, the
impressions which have had the greatest effect on us—those of our earliest
youth—are precisely the ones which scarcely ever become conscious" (pp.
539-540). This definition posits character as a sort of memory, a collection
of traces. Five years later, in Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality
(1905d), Freud emphasized individual psychic activity: "

Learning outcome:
At the end of the topic, the students will be able to:

 Define the concept of character formation

 Discuss the contributing factors of character formation
 Enumerate the different types of character formation
 Identify the different character traits

Learning content
It contains readings, selection and discussion questions and sets of
activities that students can work on individually or by group.
1.1. Character Formation
1.2. Contributing Factors of Character Formation
1.3. General Types of Character Formation
1.4. Six (6) Pillars of Good Character Formation
1.5. Types of Character
1.6. Character Traits
A. What is Character Formation?
It is derived from greek word “charassein” referring to an
engraving instrument; originally used of a marked impressed upon a
coin or the mark cut by it. Then it was applied to a distinctive mark of a
personality; and gradually, to the sum total of such mark, each
individual one is being called characteristics.
It is a trademark of being a person.

Character Building
It is the process by which the individual, through interaction of
biologically transmitted predispositions with the environment, develops
stable pattern of functioning, thinking and feeling.

B. What are the different Contributing Factors of Character

Formation?
The following are different contributing factors of character
formation:

1. Parental Influence- is the most important of all the factors

responsible for personality development.
2. Home Environment- home as cradle of human character and
personality largely contribute to the character
formation of a child.
3. School Environment- to perfect the total development of a child’s
character and attitude, besides the home
environment, a child’s school environment too plays
a major role in shaping the child’s personality.
4. Culture- everyone has different character and values
because of the different cultures where everyone is
exposed

C. What are the five (5) Factors that determine the Character
Personality Traits?
Five Factors that Determine Character or Personality Traits
1. Openness – Openness to experience describes a person’s degree of
intellectual curiosity, creativity, and preference for novelty and variety.
Some disagreement remains about how to interpret this factor, which
is sometimes called intellect.
2. Conscientiousness – Conscientiousness is a tendency to show self-
discipline, act dutifully, and aim for achievement. Conscientiousness
also refers to planning, organization, and dependability.
3. Extraversion – Extraversion describes energy, positive emotions,
assertiveness, sociability, talkativeness, and the tendency to seek
stimulation in the company of others.
4. Agreeableness – Agreeableness is the tendency to be
compassionate and cooperative towards others rather than suspicious
and antagonistic.
5. Neuroticism – Neuroticism describes vulnerability to unpleasant
emotions like anger, anxiety, depression, or vulnerability. Neuroticism
also refers to an individual’s level of emotional stability and impulse
control and is sometimes referred to as emotional stability.

What are the different General Types of Character Formation?

General Types of Characters:
1. Positive Character
2. Negative Character
3. Neutral Character

1. Positive Character- Positive character traits are those things that

draw us to other people. When someone is generous,
kind, energetic, or optimistic they exude energy that
attracts others. Of course, who wouldn’t want to spend
time with a warm, open, and loving person?
Now, when we turn the mirror back on ourselves, many
times we notice not-so-positive character traits…things
like jealousy, selfishness, immaturity, or greed. These can
all be changed. If you are not getting the results you
want in life, the first place to look is at how you are
interacting with the world.
Positive character traits can be developed in ourselves.
There is a simple, three step process to integrate a new
positive trait into your life.

2. Negative Character- The majority of people would consider the

character traits described below to be "bad" or
“negative”. However, "bad" or “negative” is defined
by the culture in which one lives. For example, for a
priest "aggressive" might be a negative trait while
for a soccer player or salesman, it is usually a
desirable trait. 
Negative personality adjectives

 angry
 bewildered
 clumsy
 defeated
 embarrassed
 fierce
 grumpy

3. Neutral Character - A neutral character does what seems to be a

good idea. She doesn't feel strongly one way or the
other when it comes to good vs. evil or law vs. chaos.
Most neutral characters exhibit a lack of conviction or
bias rather than a commitment to neutrality. Such a
character thinks of good as better than evil-after all,
she would rather have good neighbors and rulers than
evil ones. Still, she's not personally committed to
upholding good in any abstract or universal way.

Some neutral characters, on the other hand, commit

themselves philosophically to neutrality. They see
good, evil, law, and chaos as prejudices and
dangerous extremes. They advocate the middle way of
neutrality as the best, most balanced road in the long
run.

Neutral is the best alignment you can be because it

means you act naturally, without prejudice or
compulsion.

Neutral can be a dangerous alignment when it

represents apathy, indifference, and a lack of
conviction.

D. What are different Pillars of Good Character?

TRUSTWORTHINESS

Be honest in communications and actions • don’t deceive, cheat or steal •

Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right
thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends,
and country • Keep your promises
RESPECT

Treat others with respect and follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and
accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be
considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone •
Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

RESPONSIBILITY

Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Be diligent • Persevere •

Do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act
• Be accountable for your words, actions and attitudes • Set a good
example for others • Choose a positive attitude • Make healthy choices

FAIRNESS
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others
• Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly • Treat all
people fairly

CARING

Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Show Empathy • Express

gratitude • Forgive others and show mercy • Help people in need • Be
charitable and altruistic

CITIZENSHIP

Do your share to make your home, school, community and greater world
better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed;
vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority •
Protect the environment • Volunteer

E. What are the different Characters?

1. Self-realized character - a person with this type of character is

ever enthusiastic for he knows his
potentialities and limitations.
2. Covetous Character- this refer to a jealous or acquisitive
character
3. Superstitious Character- in a way that all are superstitious but
when were over superstitious then problem
starts.
4. Egoistic Character- the person thinks that world runs due to him
and everything and everybody should respect
him as such.
5. Anti-social Character- a person who neither cares for the norms set
by the society nor cares for the moral or
ethical values is an anti-social character.
6. Insincere Character- when a person does something good for us,
we express our sincere thanks and go extra
mile in being sincere to that person in
whatever way it is possible for us. Contrarily,
a person who thinks others is there for
serving him and is without any warmth
feelings for others.
7. Complacent Character- when a person doesn’t feel nervous or scared,
doesn’t want to learn, doesn’t challenge
him/herself, lives in a constant routine
everyday not wanting to get out of his/her
comfort zone, rejects change and therefore is
stacked and stagnant, doesn’t want to try
anything new making him/her very
predictable and is a mediocre that lacks
ambition and therefore stops growing, he or
she is considered to be a person of
complacent character.

F. What are the different good character traits?

1. Alertness - being aware of what is taking place around.

2. Attentiveness - showing the worth of a person or task but
giving undivided concentration.
3. Availability - making own schedule on priorities secondary
to the wishes of those being served.
4. Benevolence - giving to others basic needs without the
motivation for acquiring personal rewards.
5. Boldness - confidence that what is say or do is true,
right and just.
6. Cautiousness - knowing how important right timing is in
accomplishing right actions
7. Compassion - investing whatever is necessary to heal the
hurts of others.
8. Contentment - realizing that true happiness does not depend
on material conditions.
9. Creativity - approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a
new perspective.
10. Decisiveness - the ability to recognize key factors and
finalize difficult decisions.
11. Deference - limiting freedom so not to offend the tastes
of others.
12. Dependability - fulfilling what is consented to do, even if it
means unexpected sacrifice.
13. Determination - purposing to accomplish right goals at the
right time, regardless of the opposition.
14. Diligence - investing time and energy to complete each
task assigned.
15. Discernment - understanding the deeper reasons why things
happen.
16. Discretion - recognizing and avoiding words, actions, and
attitudes that could bring undesirable
consequences.
17. Endurance - the inward strenght to withstand stress and
do the best.
18. Enthusiasm - expressing joy in doing and accomplishing
each tasks.
19. Faith - confidence that actions rooted in good
character will yield the best outcome, even
when it’s not personally observed.
20. Flexibility - willingness to change plans or ideas
according to the direction of the authorities.
21. Forgiveness - clearing the records of those who have
wronged and not holding a grudge.
22. Generosity - carefully managing resources to be capable of
freely giving to those in need.
23. Gentleness - showing consideration and personal concern
for others.
24. Gratefulness - letting others know by ones words and
actions how they have benefited ones life.
25. Honor - respecting those in leadership because of the
higher authorities they represent.
26. Hospitality - Cheerfully sharing food, shelter, or
conversation to benefit others.
27. Humility - acknowledging that achievement results from
the investment of others in one’s life.
28. Initiative - recognizing and doing what needs to be done
before being asked to do it.
29. Joyfulness - maintaining a good attitude, even when
placed with unpleasant condition.
30. Justice - taking personal responsibility to uphold what
is pure, right and true.
31. Loyalty - using difficult times to demonstrate
commitment to those being served.
32. Meekness - yielding personal rights and expectations with
a desire to serve.
33. Obedience - quickly and cheerfully carrying out the
direction of the superior.
34. Orderliness - arranging self and surroundings to achieve
greater efficiency.
35. Patience - accepting a difficult situation without giving a
deadline to remove it.
36. Persuasiveness - guiding vital truths around anothers
mental roadblock.
37. Punctuality - showing esteem for others by doing the right
thing at the right time.
38. Resourcefulness - finding practical uses or that which
others would overlook or discard.
39. Responsibility - knowing and doing what is expected
40. Security - structuring one’s life around that which
cannot be destroyed or taken away.
41. Self-control - rejecting wrong desires and doing what is
right.
42. Sensitivity - perceiving the true attitudes and emotions of
others.
43. Sincerity - eagerness to do what is right with transparent
motives.
44. Thoroughness - knowing what factors will diminish the
effectiveness of ones work or words if
neglected.
45. Thriftiness - allowing oneself and others to spend only
what is necessary

Learning Task 1:
Mentioned above are different characters. It is always believed that
everyone tends to display such different characters every time that we are
confronted with different situations and encounters. Make a reflection
paper showing when the times that you displayed these different kinds of
character are and explain why you said so.

Example:
I believe that I displayed a Self-realized character every time that I
accept an appointment because I know that I can do it and reject any
position offered to me with due respect because I know that this is not my
expertise.
I also believe that I displayed a Covetous Character during the time that
I feel insecure and jealous every time that my brother excels because I
think that I am always in competition with him.
On the other hand, I believe that I displayed a Superstitious Character
when I canceled a meeting because a black cat crossed the road while I
am on my way there.
Moreover, I believe that I displayed an Egoistic Character when I
intentionally go to a meeting late because I know that the meeting will not
start without me.
Additionally, I also believe that I displayed an Anti-social Character
yesterday when I maneuvered my car in a no u turn slot because nobody is
watching that time.
An Insincere Character is what I displayed during the time that my mom
and dad is trying to reach me out during a weekday but I said that I am
busy with my online class and I cannot talk to them even for just a couple
of minutes even though I really have the time.
And lastly, I believe that I displayed a complacent character when they
asked me to learn how to conduct online classes in different platforms but
I disagreed because I am lazy to learn how to do it and decided to stick
with my style.
Take note: the abovementioned paragraphs are for example purposes only.
As for you, you need to make a hand-written one page yellow paper
reflection which is more personal and more elaborate than this. The
chances in getting a higher mark in reflection papers is for you to let go of
your personal experiences as openly as possible because it also serves as
an outlet for what you feel and what you are keeping within yourself to
unload your heart’s burden and desire. Feel free to note below your papers
when you need someone to talk to about these things and I will reach out
to you ASAP. The papers will be due next week during the day and time of
our meeting so that you will have ample time to read and learn the module
and answer this assessment task. Thank you and God bless. Stay safe
everyone.

References:
 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0034408910860
309?journalCode=urea20#:~:text=Character%20formation
%20is%20that%20deeply,are%20appropriate%20for
%20young%20children.
 https://www.encyclopedia.com/psychology/dictionaries-
thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/character-formation
 http://www.rexpublishing.com.ph/character-formation/
 https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-
94-007-1494-6_46
 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0040573658014
00406?journalCode=ttja
 https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?
recnum=659
 https://www.slideshare.net/AnuRadha107/moral-development-
character-formation-and-education