What Is Personality In Psychology?

People have been interested in personality since the beginning of time. Ancient China assigned personality traits based on a person's birth year. Those who studied astrology believed that a person's nature was defined by where the planet was in relation to other celestial objects during their birth. Hippocrates thought the human personality was based on different body fluids, while some Greeks believed personality traits were associated with a specific disease. 

While there may still be debate surrounding personality research contents, personality psychology processes, and the exact way a person’s personality develops, science has a few pieces of wisdom about how dominant characteristics develop. For example, a broad area of psychological study is wholly devoted to answering the "nature vs. nurture" question, among other pressing inquiries. Below, we’re going to cover prominent theories of personality, discuss common assessment tools, and explain personality psychology.

What is "personality" in psychology?

You may be familiar with "personality" as a term. However, it can be challenging to describe personality in a precise way or give it an exact definition, as the concept of personality encompasses a number of abstract ideas. When studying human behavior and personality psychology, a clear definition and examples can make it easier to grasp.

The word personality comes from the Latin word persona, which referred to a theatrical mask. A persona was a stage mask an actor wore to conceal their identity representing a particular character trait. The American Psychology Association (APA) defines personality (psychology definition) as "individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving."

Personality is also a set of traits a person has that work in unison to influence their beliefs, motivations, emotions, and self-concept. Potential personality synonyms include character, makeup, nature, disposition, temperament, and identity. Personality development can be influenced by several factors, including genes, life experiences, culture, home environment, and biology.

Five quick personality psychology facts

Personality and social psychology: Psychological theories in history

Over the years, philosophers, researchers, social psychology experts, and other thinkers have sought to explain human behaviors through the lens of personality. To understand personality, it could be beneficial to understand the history of various theories on the subject. Each can offer a piece of the puzzle that may explain the composition of your inner and outer personas. What many people believe to be accurate about personality might contradict scientific research. To explore this idea further, consider the following theories of personality throughout history. 

Galen's theory (2000 BC)

Building on Hippocrates' notions, Galen summarized that you were healthy if your temperament was balanced. If your personality was not balanced, he believed it meant that your bodily fluids were not functioning correctly. Galen described four separate dimensional models: sanguine, choleric, melancholy, and phlegmatic. His theory states that someone with a healthy personality would have equal levels of each of these temperaments. 

Galen's personality description came from the four elements of earth, wind, water, and fire. This theory was the most accepted for over 1000 years but has since been debunked. Immanuel Kant took this theory further in the 18th century.

Gall's theory

In the late 1700s, a German physician named Franz Gall developed a skull-based theory to study personality called phrenology. According to Gall, measuring the distance between bumps on a person's head could reveal brain size and personality info, including how friendly or mean someone could be. It was eventually ruled a pseudoscience and had roots in racism.

Freud and Erikson's theories

Sigmund Freud developed some of the most well-known personality and humanistic theories. One of Freud's psychoanalytic theories outlines a series of stages and internal conflicts that help build a personality. Later, Erik Erikson and other personality psychologists used Freud's psychodynamic theories to build a similar argument. Although Erikson's and Freud’s opinions differ, both believed that early childhood events and stages affect personality.

Current psychological beliefs: Trait theories

Many modern researchers believe that there are five basic personality traits. These traits are compiled from behavioral theories and the research of many scientists. There are also personality assessments you can take to help you determine your personality type.

The five categories include:

• Openness

• Agreeableness

• Neuroticism

• Extraversion

• Conscientiousness

These traits are not considered terminal. Instead, each personality trait may act as a gauge or a spectrum on which you can fall.

People who are high in openness:           

• Like to try new things and tackle challenges

• Are creative and have artistic interests

• Tend to be emotional and intellectual

• Are often more liberal or progressive

Low levels of openness are marked by a dislike for change and a resistance to new ideas and creative projects.

Those who are agreeable:

• Care about others and help them when in need

• Feel empathy and concern

• Are interested in other people

• Try to get along with other people and contribute to their happiness

On the opposite end of the spectrum are people who tend to be less helpful and are more competitive, self-centered, and manipulative.

People with elevated levels of neuroticism:

• Are quick to experience anxiety

• Have mood swings

• Have trouble getting over stressful situations

• Tend to worry a lot

Those on the lower end of the neuroticism scale may rarely be distressed and tend to stay relaxed and emotionally stable.

Those with high levels of extraversion tend to:

• Enjoy being the center of attention and meeting new people

• Feel energized around others

• Prefer to be with friends rather than alone

• Make statements before thinking

Those who are not extroverted may prefer to be alone, have difficulty making small talk, and find social interactions tiring.

Conscientiousness is a trait that describes people who:

• Like setting goals, engaging in skills training, having structure, and developing routines

• Have high levels of self-control

• Value attention to detail and finishing tasks right away

• Plan and meet deadlines

Messy, "go-with-the-flow" people may be on the low end of the conscientiousness scale as they often procrastinate and avoid set schedules.

Those in charge of personality psychology have found these traits universal and biological. Although these common traits can increase or decrease as people age, they may be steady throughout a portion of adulthood.

Current beliefs: The MBTI personality test

Carl Jung is one well-known psychology theorist who contributed to the definition of personality psychology. Jung introduced the idea that an individual’s personality was closely connected to their behaviors and feelings in social situations, which lead to the development of the introversion-extraversion dichotomy. His work influenced one of the most celebrated formal assessments for personality: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) instrument. 

Unlike the five-factor personality theory, the MBTI is based on a type theory of personality. Where trait theories conceptualize personality characteristics as being spectrums that everyone falls on at a certain point, type theories focus on using an individual’s personality traits to place them in specific categories.

Created by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Cook Briggs, the MBTI serves to help people understand themselves and others. The test categorizes people based on their thinking and then assigns them one of 16 four-letter personality types. 

Each one of these acronyms categorizes the person based on the following:

• Extroversion (E) or Introversion (I)

• Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)

• Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)

• Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)

Utilizing MBTI and social psychology for understanding personality traits and behavior

The MBTI has helped many people learn more about themselves and their partners. Employers often use it to find effective employees for their company. As personalities may form in childhood, this test can also be helpful for teens trying to understand aspects of their personalities. 

While the MBTI can help you understand how specific traits may contribute to your overall personality, it has been criticized for its lack of nuance. Many experts believe that it does not place enough emphasis on varied expressions of specific traits. For example, most people fall somewhere in between extraversion and introversion. Research suggests that the MBTI’s validity and reliability may be too low to evaluate personality accurately.

Current beliefs: Other personality tests for understanding personality traits

Utilizing other common theories of personality, researchers have developed numerous other assessments that measure personality traits and help individuals better understand their personality characteristics. You can find personality tests centered around the five-factor model, the Enneagram model, the DISC model, and several other theories. 

Upon successful completion of an assessment, a mental health professional can help you interpret your results. A psychologist, counselor, or other provider can provide insights into how your personality characteristics may impact your everyday life, contribute to personal growth, and influence your perspective of the world.  

What are personality disorders?

When abnormal development occurs in someone's personality, they might develop a personality disorder. According to the APA, there are times when mental illness develops and affects a person's thinking and behavior patterns. There are ten specific personality disorders  listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. These include the following.

Personality disorders: Cluster A

Cluster A personality disorders include the following:  

• Paranoid personality disorder

• Schizoid personality disorder

• Schizotypal personality disorder

Personality disorders: Cluster B

Cluster B personality disorders include the following: 

• Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) 

• Borderline personality disorder (BPD) 

• Histrionic personality disorder (HPD)

• Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) 

Personality disorders: Cluster C

Cluster C personality disorders include the following: 

• Avoidant personality disorder

• Dependent personality disorder

• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) 

Although each condition varies in symptoms and cause, they often make it challenging to carry out day-to-day activities and have relationships with others. Many develop in childhood and can result from a combination of genetics, trauma, and abuse, potentially deeply affecting one’s mental and social psychology.

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

If you are facing or witnessing abuse of any kind, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 for support. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788. You can also use the online chat. 

Counseling options to work through feelings and support your mental health

Working with a professional could be beneficial if you're struggling with parts of your personality or want to know how to develop certain central traits. However, many people cannot attend traditional in-person therapy due to barriers like cost, distance, or transportation constraints. In these cases, online therapy can be a convenient and cost-effective option. 

Through online counseling platforms like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a therapist specializing in personality-related concerns. Self-confession can be difficult when you're just starting with a new therapist. However, the set-up of online therapy may allow you to be more transparent, as you can choose between video, phone, or chat sessions with your licensed therapist. Your therapist can also aid you as you learn about personality, offering worksheets, webinar links, or outside resources you can use.  

Feeling the mental health impact of therapy 

Online therapy has also been successful for personality disorders and other mental health concerns. One study found that internet-delivered psychotherapy effectively reduced physical and mental health symptoms of borderline personality disorder. In the study, participants said the interventions were "feasible, acceptable, and useful."