Getting to know Personality Better

Personality is the unique way each person thinks, feels, and behaves. It’s like a mix of traits that make someone who they are, such as being hardworking or patient.

Many psychologists today agree that personality can be broken down into five main traits, known as the Big Five Theory. These traits are: extraversion (how outgoing someone is), agreeableness (how kind and cooperative they are), openness (how open they are to new experiences), conscientiousness (how organized and responsible they are), and neuroticism (how easily they feel negative emotions like stress or anxiety).

Every person is born unique, with their own personality and behavior. Personality is a mix of physical, emotional, and mental qualities that make someone special. Some experts believe personality is shaped by genetics (what we inherit from our parents), while others think it’s more about environment (how we’re raised and the experiences we have).

Psychologists have different ways of defining personality:

Ryckman (2004): Personality is a dynamic set of traits that influence how we think, feel, and act.

Pervin (1975): Personality is how we interact with others and the roles we play in society.

Allport (1961): Personality is a mix of traits that shape our behavior and thoughts, like being patient or hardworking.

Eysenck (1981): Personality includes our temperament, intellect, and how we adapt to our environment.

Personality can be seen in how someone thinks, reacts emotionally, and behaves in different situations. It’s also influenced by their lifestyle, opinions, and how they handle challenges.

The Big Five Personality Traits

Extraversion:

Extraverts are outgoing, energetic, and love being around people. They enjoy social activities, are talkative, and often feel positive emotions.

Introverts, on the other hand, are quieter, prefer being alone, and may find social situations draining.

Agreeableness:

Agreeable people are kind, cooperative, and caring. They value harmony, are generous, and are often trusted by others.

Disagreeable people are more self-centered, suspicious, and less concerned about others’ feelings.

Conscientiousness:

Conscientious individuals are organized, responsible, and disciplined. They follow schedules, pay attention to details, and are reliable.

Unconscientious people are disorganized, unreliable, and often procrastinate.

Neuroticism:

Neurotic individuals tend to feel negative emotions like anxiety, anger, or stress more easily. They may overreact to situations and struggle to stay calm.

Emotionally stable people are calm, handle stress well, and don’t get upset easily.

Openness to Experience:

Open individuals are curious, creative, and love trying new things. They enjoy art, new ideas, and are flexible in their thinking.

Less open people prefer routine, are more traditional, and may resist change.

These five traits are consistent across cultures and can predict things like job performance, academic success, and even mental health.

Difference Between Personality, Character, and Trait

Personality: This is the overall mix of traits that make someone unique. It includes how they think, feel, and behave.

Character: This is part of personality and refers to moral qualities like honesty, kindness, and respect. It’s often judged by society based on cultural values.

Trait: A trait is a specific characteristic, like being outgoing or anxious. Traits are consistent over time and influence how someone acts in different situations.

Conclusion
Personality is a complex and dynamic set of traits that shape who we are. The Big Five Theory provides a useful framework for understanding these traits: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. By studying personality, we can better understand human behavior and how people adapt to different situations in life.

Adapted from

Yunus, M. R. B. M., Wahab, N. B. A., Ismail, M. S., & Othman, M. S. (2018). The importance role of personality trait. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(7), 1028–1036. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v8-i7/4530