---
title: "Personal Factors — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Personal factors are internal traits like personality and abilities that shape behavior. In AP Psych, they're the 'dispositional' half of attribution and bias questions."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/personal-factors"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Psychology"
---

# Personal Factors — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Personal factors refer to internal characteristics specific to an individual that influence their thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behavior. These can include personality traits (e.g., introversion/extroversion), cognitive abilities (e.g., intelligence), genetic predispositions, and personal experiences.

## Review

### Related Terms

- Personality traits: These are enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish individuals from one another.
- Nature vs. nurture: This debate centers on whether our behavior is primarily influenced by genetic predispositions (nature) or environmental factors (nurture).
- Cognitive processes: Refers to mental activities such as perception, memory, thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.