Personality Cases Analysis
In this essay, analyze one of the two case studies with regards to two personality theories of your choice. The length should be no more than 1000 words
Choose one of the two case studies (Rachel or Michael) outlined below to analyse. Link the characteristics of the case studies to two personality theories of your choice.
Case study 1 – Rachel
Rachel is a successful entrepreneur in her mid-forties. She runs clothes stalls in popular indoor markets in London and Manchester. Because of Rachel’s hard work, perseverance, and creativity, she was able to build her business with very little resources. Indeed, Rachel is from a working-class background, left school at the age of 16, and worked in several unskilled labour jobs before starting her own company. She is meticulous in her approach to work, and is determined to be more successful than her parents were.
Some of Rachel’s success could be attributed to her somewhat ruthless attitudes towards others. She knows what she wants, and will achieve her goals, even if it is at the expense of others. As an example, at the beginning of her career as an entrepreneur she befriended one of the people who was responsible for organising stall rental agreements in London. As a result of this befriending, Rachel obtained a good rental deal that allowed her to start the business. She is no longer friends with this individual, as they fell out after a seemingly minor argument.
Rachel can be very charming when she meets new people. She is the life and soul of any party and knows how to have good time. Others are initially attracted to her because of her good looks and quick wit. However, she also has a nasty streak, which makes her behaviour unpredictable at times. This has resulted in very few long-term friendships, and a string of short-term sexual partners rather than serious relationships.
As a child, Rachel could be described a bit of a loner. Indeed, she often blurted out things that could be thought of as unkind, which alienated other children. She liked to be in control and see how far others would go obeying her commands. Rachel was a popular, but also a somewhat feared character in school.
Case study 2 – Michael
Michael is in his early thirties. He is a father to two young children and married to his first girlfriend who he met while in college. Due to loss of customers, Michael has been recently laid off from his job as an IT manager in a small company. Michael has always been a kind, considerate individual, putting others before himself. However, since the redundancy, his wife has noticed that Michael has started to act somewhat out of character. He has stopped helping with the household chores and is often moody and impatient. His wife has started wondering whether she really knows the person she has been married to for more than a decade.
Deep inside, Michael has always felt a little bit shy, but has managed to mask it from other people by forcing himself to behave in a sociable manner. If given the choice, he would rather stay at home and watch series on Netflix than socialise with people. While Michael was still in work, he did get pleasure from occasional after-work drinks with his colleagues. They always thought that he was sympathetic and funny, in a quiet kind of way.
Michael has always been obsessed with order. Even as a child, he made sure his room was in immaculate condition, with his numerous toy cars coordinated according to colour. His parents were active members of the local branch of the Pentecostal church, and Michael was often allowed to help with the ceremonies because of his reliability and organisational skills. His meticulousness and attention to detail translated later into success in the realm of study and work. However, since being made redundant, Michael has become unorganised, untidy, and careless. This has surprised people who are close to him, as orderliness always seemed like a big part of his personality.
