PERSONALITY TRAIT ANALIZATION
Groundhog: Trait analysis of Phil Connor
Alex Ford
Salt Lake Community College
PERSONALITY TRAIT ANALIZATION
Introduction
The trait theory of personality displays a wide array of ways to
explain how people have the tendency to act. The same ways you
would describe an object can be just as well used to how someone acts
on a regular basis. The sofa is soft or comfortable is relative with
Bill is shy or soft spoken, adjectives are the basis for which
classification is conjugated in the Trait Theory of Personality. The way
this proves most effective is that most people describe others
personalities via this method.
This analysis will utilize the Big Five Factor Personality Model
(Eysenck 1967) which will measure: Openness, Conscientiousness,
Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. Seeing that
personalities usually keep to the same basic key elements that a
person is described as some factors of this model may change and
some may stay the same.
Nascence to a Weathermans Internal Alterations
Phil Connor displays a air of self confidence and narcissism as he
blatantly shows little concern if none at all to the lives of those around
him. He shows an immense distaste for anyone or anything getting in
the way of his agenda. His sarcasm outlines his uncooperative spirit
such as when he says Wow? Looking *foxy* tonight man! Hey is your
PERSONALITY TRAIT ANALIZATION
troop gonna be selling cookies again this year? (Ramis 1993) as he
outlines how tacky of an outfit his cameraman is wearing for the night.
It needs to be pointed out that he isnt high on Agreeableness he
isnt helpful to others and doesnt revive any old dying men on the
street nor does he help Larry with his camera equipment. An introvert
by nature he isnt good with any parties and rarely stays anywhere
unless he absolutely must. Though he is organized and sometimes
overly careful keeping his successful weatherman job he doesnt want
anything to change and isnt open to any other possibilities that arise
before him. For instance if the weather were to prevent him from going
to where he wants (back home) he wont just roll with it letting it annoy
him to the point he must use every thing that is at his disposal to get
past a roadblock.
The Winter Conflict arises
As Connor wakes for the first day he rolls his eyes sounding
annoyed with the local radio personalities in pure disgust as they talk
about the weather instantly assuming that they are asinine viewing
them in a negative light. This should be highlighted since this does
change after awhile. After he does his coverage on the groundhog he
simply brushes off everyones disappointment and leaves. Not a care,
self-absorbed, and unaware. Not until he relives the day does he
PERSONALITY TRAIT ANALIZATION
actually try to make all of the people happier for the rest of the winter
season.
Alterations
Connor does not take the reliving of each day very well until he figures
out that he can do whatever he wants opening him up to the
possibilities he truly has thus, increasing his openness. He begins to
notice how every individual operates down to what their favorite
childhood pastime was and therefore increasing his extraversion and
agreeableness. Loosing conscientiousness of personal image he
doesnt make an effort to worry about being organized or careful of the
choices he makes.
Slowly his focus begins to drift away from him and he notices the
world around him and the people residing in it. This revelation makes
him embrace that not everything is under his control but he can
change the world around him for his own destiny. Which may be seen
as a humanistic approach for how his personality changes in his chase
toward self-actualization.
PERSONALITY TRAIT ANALIZATION
Concluding Points
As it is seen in the beginning Phil Connor his a self-absorbed
character with no mind for altruistic ideals. Not open to changes in his
environment, Introverted, not agreeable, and overly conscientious. He
begins to change and expands his universe from what he knew it was.
Slowly becoming open to his environment and other people displaying
extroversion. People agree that he is a great person to be around at
the end. Throughout the movie Groundhog Day Phil Connors
Personality can be viewed in a positive light in an amazing display of
development.
References
Schacter, D., Gilbert, D., Wegner, D., & Nock, M. (2014). Psychology
(Third ed.). New York, NY: Worth.
Ramis, H. (Director). (1993). Groundhog Day [Motion picture on DVD].
United States:
Columbia Pictures.
PERSONALITY TRAIT ANALIZATION
