What Is Personality?Personality is the unique patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish a person from others. A product of both biology and environment, it remains fairly consistent throughout life. Show
Examples of personality can be found in how we describe other people's traits. For instance, "She is generous, caring, and a bit of a perfectionist," or "They are loyal and protective of their friends." The word "personality" stems from the Latin word persona, which refers to a
theatrical mask worn by performers in order to either project different roles or disguise their identities. While there are many different definitions of personality, most focus on the pattern of behaviors and characteristics that can help predict and explain a person's behavior. Explanations for personality can focus on a variety of influences, ranging from genetic effects to the role of the environment and experience in shaping an individual's personality. Personality CharacteristicsWhat exactly makes up a personality? Traits and patterns of thought and emotion play important roles, and so do these fundamental characteristics of personality:
How Personality DevelopsThere are a number of theories about personality, and different schools of thought in psychology influence many of these theories. Some theories describe how personalities are expressed, and others focus more on how personality develops. Personality TypesType theoriessuggest that there are a limited number of personality types that are related to biological influences. One theory suggests there are four types of personality. They are:
There are other popular theories of personality types such as the Myers-Briggs theory. The Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator identifies a personality based on where someone is on four continuums: introversion-extraversion, sensing-intuition, thinking-feeling, and judging-perceiving. After taking a Myers-Briggs personality test, you are assigned one of 16 personality types. Examples of these personality types are:
Personality TraitsTrait theories tend to view personality as the result of internal characteristics that are genetically based and include:
Psychodynamic TheoriesPsychodynamic theories of personality are heavily influenced by the work of Sigmund Freud and emphasize the influence of the unconscious mind on personality. Psychodynamic theories include Sigmund Freud’s psychosexual stage theory and Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. Behavioral TheoriesBehavioral theories suggest that personality is a result of interaction between the individual and the environment. Behavioral theorists study observable and measurable behaviors, often ignoring the role of internal thoughts and feelings. Behavioral theorists include B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson. HumanistHumanist theories emphasize the importance of free will and individual experience in developing a personality. Humanist theorists include Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. Impact of PersonalityResearch on personality can yield fascinating insights into how personality develops and changes over the course of a lifetime. This research can also have important practical applications in the real world. For example, people can use a personality assessment (also called a personality test or personality quiz) to learn more about themselves and their unique strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Some assessments might look at how people rank on specific traits, such as whether they are high in extroversion, conscientiousness, or openness. Other assessments might measure how specific aspects of personality change over time. Some assessments give people insight into how their personality affects many areas of their lives, including career, relationships, personal growth, and more. Understanding your personality type can help you determine what career you might enjoy, how well you might perform in certain job roles, or how effective a form of psychotherapy could be for you. Personality type can also have an impact on your health, including how often you visit the doctor and how you cope with stress. Researchers have found that certain personality characteristics may be linked to illness and health behaviors. Personality DisordersWhile personality determines what you think and how you behave, personality disorders are marked by thoughts and behavior that are disruptive and distressing in everyday life. Someone with a personality disorder may have trouble recognizing their condition because their symptoms are ingrained in their personality. Personality disorders include paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). While the symptoms of personality disorders vary based on the condition, some common signs include:
Some people with BPD experience suicidal thoughts or behavior as well. If you are concerned that elements of your personality are contributing to stress, anxiety, confusion, or depression, it's important to talk to a doctor or mental health professional. They can help you understand any underlying conditions you may have. It is often challenging to live with a personality disorder, but there are treatment options such as therapy and medication that can help. A Word From VerywellUnderstanding the psychology of personality is much more than simply an academic exercise. The findings from personality research can have important applications in the world of medicine, health, business, economics, technology, among others. By building a better understanding of how personality works, we can look for new ways to improve both personal and public health. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Additional Reading
By Kendra Cherry
Thanks for your feedback! What is the combination of stable physical behavioral and mental characteristics?The combination of stable physical, behavioral, and mental characteristics that give individuals their unique identities is known as personality.
Which of the following is not one of the basic dimensions of the Big Five personality dimensions?The Big 5 are dimensions of personality that spell out the acronym "OCEAN." They include the following: "openness to experience," "conscientiousness," extroversion/introversion, "agreeableness," and "neuroticism." "Locus of control" is not one of the Big 5 personality traits.
Which of the following is a recommended method of understanding which individual differences are valued by employers?Which of the following is a recommended method of understanding which individual differences are valued by employers? Create a profile of important managers and leaders in the organization.
Is selfSelf-esteem is a broad personality trait composed of self-efficacy, locus of control, and emotional stability. People program themselves for success or failure by enacting their self-efficacy expectations. Increasing the autonomy of a person's job is one effective way to increase that person's self-efficacy.
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