Personality
Definition
Personality is a set of enduring characteristics and patterns of behavior that differentiate individuals from each other.
Analogy
Consider personality as the unique flavor combination in a smoothie. The ingredients (traits) can be common - like strawberries (extroversion), bananas (agreeableness), spinach (conscientiousness), etc., but it's their specific blend that makes every smoothie (personality) unique!
Related terms
Trait Theory: A psychological framework which suggests that personalities are made up of broad traits or dispositions that tend to lead to consistent behaviors.
Big Five Personality Traits: These include openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism - often remembered by the acronym OCEAN.
Psychoanalytic Theory: A theory developed by Freud suggesting that personality is formed through conflicts among three fundamental structures of the human mind - id, ego and superego.
"Personality" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (20+)
What differentiates attitudes from personality?
Who developed the psychoanalytic theory of personality?
Which theory posits that personality is shaped by an individual's perception of the world and their place in it?
Which type of psychologist would focus primarily on measurable traits when assessing a person's personality?
Which psychological theory is defined by the belief that unconscious drives and motives heavily influence personality?
Which theory suggests that personality is shaped by how individuals interpret and respond to their experiences?
How has our understanding of personality evolved over time due to Carl Rogers' humanistic approach?
What distinguishes trait theory from psychodynamic theories in explaining personality?
According to Freud's psychoanalytic theory, which part of the personality operates on the reality principle and is concerned with mediating the demands of the id and superego?
What is the primary factor considered in behaviorist theories to shape personality?
What is the main focus of behaviorist theories of personality?
How did the development of social cognitive theories expand upon traditional behavioral approaches to personality?
What is the main focus of humanistic theories of personality?
What are two key components that make up personality according to the humanistic theories?
Which concept, central to Carl Rogers's humanistic theory of personality, highlights the inherent drive towards self-improvement and personal growth?
In Carl Roger's humanistic theory of personality, what does 'congruence' refer to?
According to Carl Rogers's humanistic theory of personality, what is the ultimate source of psychological growth and happiness?
Who proposed that personality can be described using five factors known as the Big Five?
Whose trait theory suggests that personality is largely influenced by genetics and can be described using three broad traits: extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism?
Who suggested that personality should be studied at the individual level rather than comparing people to one another?
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