How do you define your personality? What traits and characteristics do you think you have, and what is your paramount temperament? Everyone has their unique personality, some aspects of which change with age, and others remain relatively constant. Personality is a collection of thought patterns, feelings, and behaviors. However, we cannot include all dimensions of personality in the exact definition, and examining personality and personality dimensions requires more explanation and detail. If you are interested in knowing what personality is and how it is formed or want to learn more about the definition of personality and its types, stay with us in the rest of this article.
What is character?
The term personality expresses a unique set of intellectual, behavioral, and emotional characteristics and patterns that make up a person. For example, loyalty, perfectionism, and extroversion are part of people’s personality. Also, the central beliefs, attitudes, moral principles, and temperaments people are born with are all pieces of the personality puzzle.
Personality is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and approaches generally following a specific order and rule. These behaviors include psychological and physiological ones and affect actions, human relationships, social interactions, and lifestyles of humans.
Some personality traits of humans change over time, and others remain relatively constant. Various sciences such as psychology, psychoanalysis, and behaviorism focus on investigating personality and personality type and examine the processes a person goes through to develop their characteristics.
How does the character develop?
Personality is not immutable. According to research, many personality patterns and traits change over time. Several factors affect personality development over time, such as:
- genes and biological characteristics;
- life experiences;
- adverse events;
- society and culture;
- Relationships, especially the relationship with the prominent family members during the first years of life;
- Educational styles.
1. Biological factors
Genetics plays a significant role in the formation of personality traits. Inherited talents influence certain aspects of mood and emotional reactions to be stronger or weaker.
2. Environmental factors
Early childhood experiences, family dynamics, cultural background, and social interactions all influence personality development. Traumatic events or nurturing environments may also affect how personality is formed.
3. Psychological factors
Cognitive processes such as learning and memory enhancement also help in personality development. How people interpret and make sense of their experiences may significantly impact their personality development.
What are the personality types?
Personality types categorize people based on their common characteristics. One of the most famous systems for classifying personality types is the Myers-Briggs Index ( MBTI ), which divides people into 16 different personality types based on other preferences such as extroversion or introversion, sensing or intuition, thinking or feeling, and judging or understanding.
Another theory divides personality into four categories, each of which has the following traits:
- Type A: perfectionist, hasty, competitive, workaholic, progressive, aggressive, anxious.
- Type B: low stress, monotonous, flexible, creative, adaptable to change, patient, procrastinator.
- Type C: very conscientious, perfectionist, having trouble expressing positive and negative emotions.
- Type D: Worried, sad, irritable, pessimistic, negative self-talk, avoids social situations, lacks self-confidence, fear of rejection, sullen, hopeless.
Different personality types are determined based on personality theories, some of which we will review in the next section.
What are personality theories?
Psychologists and psychoanalysts have presented different theories to define and determine personality types. However, no idea is definitive. These theories are just different ways to examine personality types. We have presented some of the most influential personality theories below.
1. Psychodynamic theories
The psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud states that personality consists of 3 parts: entity (primary desires), ego (reality-oriented part of personality), and superego (moral conscience). According to Freud, the conflict between these components forms the character.
Freud also believed that early childhood experiences often form these three personality elements and profoundly affect character development and mental health conditions. Later, the research of Carl Jung and Erik Erikson challenged various aspects of Freud’s theories and significantly contributed to the evolution of psychodynamic theories.
2. Humanistic theories
According to humanistic theories of personality, one’s self-perception (how one defines oneself) can determine one’s nature. Humanistic psychologists emphasize the role of self-actualization, pursuit of personal growth, and inner satisfaction in personality formation.
Abraham Maslow, the creator of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs concept, stated that people’s personality results from whether or not their most basic needs are met. Carl Rogers, another humanistic psychologist, believed that people’s personalities are formed based on the market for self-actualization and the pursuit of personal growth.
3. Theories of personal traits
These theories identify essential personality traits that may vary and affect their behavior and reactions. Trait theories focus on the core idea that we all share personality traits that fall at different points on a spectrum.
For example, the famous “Big Five” theory is one of the theories of personality traits that provides a broader view of personality types. This theory includes five characteristics: openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. According to this theory, every person has these characteristics to some extent. For example, one person may have high extroversion and low neuroticism, while the same person’s sibling may behave oppositely.
4. Sociological theories
Sociological theories, such as Albert Bandura’s theory, emphasize the role of observational learning and self-regulation in personality formation. Also, these theories highlight the interaction of personal characteristics, environment, and behavior.
5. Behaviorist theories
These theories examine how personality is formed according to reward and punishment. Being rewarded for some behaviors and punished for others may condition people to behave and think in a certain way.
According to behaviorist theories, personality results from an individual’s interaction with the environment. Behavioral theorists examine humans’ observable and measurable behaviors and often do not emphasize the role of inner thoughts and feelings. We can mention BF Skinner and John B. Watson among the behavioral theorists.
6. Biological theories
These personality theories focus on the physiological factors that affect people’s personality. Biological theories suggest that physical characteristics like brain structure determine character development.
What are personality disorders?
Personality disorders are mental health problems characterized by persistent behavior patterns, cognition, and inner experience. Cultural expectations primarily influence these patterns. Personality disorders usually lead to distress or difficulty in social, occupational, and other vital areas of functioning. These disorders are destructive and uncomfortable in everyday life, and since they are rooted in a person’s personality, their diagnosis is only the work of a mental health specialist.
Some common personality disorders include:
- Borderline personality disorder: including relationships, self-images, unstable emotions, and impulsive behaviors.
- Narcissistic personality disorder includes an excessive need for admiration, a lack of empathy, and a sense of self-conceit.
- Antisocial personality disorder includes a pattern of disregard for the rights of others and a lack of empathy or remorse for one’s actions.
- Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder: Includes excessive orderliness, perfectionism, and exerting control at the expense of flexibility.
Three main categories of personality disorders
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) divides personality disorders into three main categories:
- Category A personality disorders include paranoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and schizoid personality disorder, which include unusual and acute features.
- Category B personality disorders include narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and histrionic personality disorder, including variable and unstable emotional characteristics.
- Category C personality disorders also include stress and anxiety disorders. They are divided into obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (not to be confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder), dependent personality disorder, and avoidant personality disorder.
Personality disorders are usually associated with violent behaviors, delusions, delusional thinking, mistrust of others, not expressing feelings and emotions, disinterest in building relationships, and trampling on others’ boundaries. Also, in acute cases, people suffer from depression, anxiety, panic disorder, or suicidal thoughts.
Several factors, including genes, traumatic events, cultural influence, and childhood experiences, play a role in personality disorder. Living with a personality disorder may be difficult, but the condition can be managed with the support of a mental health professional.
Are personality tests valid?
Various personality tests measure personality traits, types, and disorders. Standard personality tests include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and the Enneagram theory.
Of course, the correct and accurate personality test is complicated because most personality tests rely on self-reporting, and the test results depend on factors such as self-awareness, self-perception, and respondent honesty. In some cases, people’s mental states (which cannot be considered part of personality) may affect the person’s responses. However, some personality tests, including online tests, can still provide an opportunity for self-reflection.
Conclusion
This article examined what character is and how it is formed. We also read what personality types are and reviewed the definition of personality in simple language. Personality includes the way of thinking, feelings, unique characteristics, mood, and behavior of each person. It may change with age, but a large part of people’s personality is usually formed and remains stable until adulthood. Of course, personality is not a fixed concept and can differ for each person. For this reason, much research has been conducted and is still ongoing. With a better understanding of personality, we can look for ways to improve individual and public health.
How do you rate your personality? In which categories do you place your personality traits? What do you think is the definition of personality and its types? Share your opinion about the concept of personality below this article.
Warning! This article is only for educational purposes;d to use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
