What Is The Psychology Of Personality?
Medically Reviewed By Lauren Guilbeault, LMHCPersonality is an intriguing facet of human beings. For years, psychologists have studied personality, personality traits and the various factors which impact, influence and contribute to personality. In the professional sense, this study is referred to as personality psychology.
A Brief Overview Of Personality
In a nutshell, personality is everything that makes you who you are. Personality is the traits and characteristics which contribute to your interests, hobbies, behaviors, thoughts, mental health, and motivations. There are many thoughts and opinions regarding personality and the factors which contribute to it. This is largely where personality psychology comes into play.
Personality psychology is an inherently detailed and complex subject matter. There are so many angles in which specialists can study and review the psychology of personality. To understand what personality psychology truly is, having a firm comprehension of the multiple ways of pursuing this study is paramount.
Theories And Perspectives Involving Personality Psychology
Considering the vastness of personality psychology, there are a series of perspectives and theories which pertain to this particular study. Each one has its place and its own merits.
Trait Theories
As the name suggests, trait theories assert that individual personality is influenced and determined by personality traits. Personality classifications and personality traits are heavily emphasized within trait theories. Likewise, cardinal traits, central traits, and secondary traits are recurring themes within this particular subsection of personality psychology.
Cardinal traits are viewed as the foundation which individuals base their lives upon. These types of traits are viewed in generalities, such as generosity, narcissism, compassion, ambition, etc. As one might infer from the preceding examples, cardinal traits can be both positive or negative. Central traits, on the other hand, are viewed as the pieces which create each human being's personality. Smartness, outspokenness, and deceit are some great examples of central traits. Finally, secondary traits are regarded as fairly irregular patterns which only present themselves within certain circumstances. Stage fright is a universal example of such.
Psychoanalytic Theories
Psychoanalytic theories view personality as directly linked to behavioral patterns. Internal conflict and resolution is another prevalent theme as far as psychoanalytic theories are concerned. Those who subscribe to the psychoanalytic theories regarding personality are likely to view one's internal actions as indicative of their personality as opposed to the other way around.
The events which occur in childhood are also largely valued in psychoanalytic theories of personality. In fact, personality is thought of as something which comes into being as human beings progress through childhood. Expectations from society and biological urges are also thought of as elements which play a role in the gradual development of personality.
Social Cognitive Theories
In personality psychology, social cognitive theories place a central focus on the views and expectations that human beings harbor about the world in which they live. These outlooks are subsequently viewed as the factors which determine how individuals think and make certain judgment calls. One of the most interesting things about social cognitive theories is the balance of weight which is placed on the internal and external parts of personality and individualism.
Humanistic Theories
Humanistic theories place significant value and weight on the inherent free will which each possesses. Specialists who subscribe to humanistic theories believe that the experiences which people undergo will, in turn, determine their behaviors. While there are certain links between experiences and decisions, there are a variety of factors which can influence and impact the behavior patterns of human beings.
Which Personality Psychology Theory Is Right?
This is a common question which many psychologists have wondered and even debated about for centuries. Ultimately, each theory has its merits. There is documented evidence and life patterns which show the gravity that traits have on human behaviors and personalities. Likewise, the views which individuals harbor about the world around them has been shown to influence the choices they make. A person who believes that life is full of opportunities is likelier to take risks than someone who believes that the odds are inherently stacked against them.
The various personalities of human beings are so diverse and complex that there is no way to assert any one particular theory as correct while dismissing remaining theories. Granted, there are certain personality theories which will seemingly fit with certain individuals while others may lean towards other theories. However, when it's all said and done, each personality theory comes with its own merits and supporting evidence.
Personality Types
Since the inception of personality psychology, various specialists have debated about various personality types, what impacts these variations and which people are most likely to fall into certain categories. All in all, there are about four most commonly accepted personality types. It's also worth noting that individuals can exhibit traits from multiple personality types. It's very rare for one individual to fit neatly into one particular box.
Sanguine Personality
Individuals with a sanguine personality are risk-takers, positive and cheerful. Those who fall into this personality category tend to loathe boredom, crave exploration and pleasure. In moderation, sanguine personality types can be alright, but in excess, a sanguine personality can easily fall victim to overindulgence and other addictive behaviors. Furthermore, individuals who fall into the sanguine personality type are usually creative and can fare well as professional entertainers, travelers, marketers, etc.
Phlegmatic Personality
Phlegmatic personality types are loyal, peaceful and very happy when in the company of others. Individuals who fall into this particular category place a very high value on interpersonal relationships and being of assistance to others. Like anything, an excess of phlegmatism can be problematic. People with this type of personality taken to the extreme are likely to be taken advantage of. Generally, phlegmatic personality types do well in professions such as counseling, teaching, nursing and otherwise working with other human beings.
Choleric Personality
Individuals with choleric personalities are pragmatic, logical, direct and goal-driven. People with this type of personality are not necessarily social butterflies or fans of small talk. They generally prefer to be around like-minded individuals who share parallel interests, outlooks, and worldviews. People with choleric personalities are typically best suited for careers in business, technology, management, or programming.
Melancholic Personality
Melancholic personality types have deep respect for tradition, order, procedure, and community. Unlike sanguine personalities, melancholic individuals actively avoid exploration and newness. Instead, they see value in being active in their communities and generally enjoy sticking to what they know and are familiar with. Some great professions for melancholic personality types are accounting, social work, and administrative duties.
Some Final Words On Personality
Despite all the facts, information and developments about personality psychology, there is still so much more. The world is changing every day, new elements are constantly being added within society, and breakthroughs in psychology are more common than many people could imagine.
At its core, humanity is both alike and different in so many ways. There are various patterns and consistencies with certain personalities. Different theories and personality types can apply to various individuals. Life experiences, biology, environment, social settings, childhood and more can have a significant impact on personalities.
Another important thing to remember is that personalities can shift, change and evolve. Sometimes people evolve. In other scenarios, they can have certain experiences which either solidify or cause them to reconsider previously held beliefs. Personality psychology is a critical part of human studies, but it's always important not to fall into the trap of putting human beings into boxes. As previously stated, it is not uncommon for individuals to possess various traits which are associated with multiple personality types.
The Ultimate Equalizer
No matter what personality type an individual has, the ultimate equalizer is that we are all human beings at the end of the day. Each one of us goes through difficulties and tough times in life. What's important to remember is that when this happens, having the right support systems in place makes all the difference in the world. This is where treatment and processes such as counseling and therapy can prove to be of value.
No matter who you are, where you come from or what your story is, if you ever feel as though you could benefit from counseling, therapy or even having someone to talk to, that's OK. Seeking out professional help is absolutely nothing to you. It's nothing to be ashamed of and should be encouraged. No matter how great or strong someone may be, everyone will need someone other than themselves at some point.
If you are interested in working with a counselor or therapist, then BetterHelp will certainly be of value to you. We have an amazing team of world-class professionals who would be more than thrilled to sit down and work with you. There is no judgment whatsoever and no matter who you are or where you come from, our only priority is being of service and assistance to you.
Whenever you are ready, you can get started with BetterHelp at any time by simply clicking here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the Four Major Theories of Personality?
The four major theories of human personality are as follows: the psychoanalytic perspective, humanistic perspective, trait perspective, and social cognition perspective.
Each of these theories about personality revolves around different potential aspects of personality development. The psychoanalytic perspective is Freud’s theory and centers around the impacts that the unconscious mind and childhood experiences have on personality development.
The humanistic perspective places more emphasis on personal awareness, free will, psychological growth and how each of these things lead to change over time. The trait perspective, on the other hand, is one of the theories of personality that focuses on the measurements, identifications, and descriptions of personality.
Finally, the social cognition perspective is one of the theories of personality that reviews how observational learning, situational influences, and self-efficacy impact personality and social psychology. From Freud’s theory to the other top three, each of the above perspectives are relevant major theories in psychological science.
What is Personality Psychology?
The definition of personality psychology is the study of personality and how it varies amongst individuals. Personality psychologists review what different research suggests; they also review personality traits, personality characteristics, how personality can change over time, and more. The different developmental stages of personality are of interest to personality psychologists, as are personality tests and patterns of thinking.
How Many Types of Personality are There in Psychology?
According to adult personality studies, there are four different types of human personality. These personality types include the following: Type A, Type B, Type C, and Type D.
The best ways to describe personality types are as follows: Type A personalities tend to embrace risks, focus on goals, and do well under pressure. Type B personalities have different patterns of thinking and are known for being enthusiastic, focused on relationships, and outgoing. Type C personalities are typically logical, prepared ahead of time, and pay great attention to details. Finally, scientific study shows that Type D personalities are task-driven, cautious and stabilizing.
What is the Concept of Personality?
The concept of personality essentially boils down to patterns of thinking, reasoning, feeling and behaving in individuals. Personality development, major theories surrounding personality, and personality tests are often reviewed by psychologists in the personality field. Specialists who study personality psychology may also look at a scientific study, a trait theory, or a type indicator. All of this ties into and relates to the concept of personality.
What is an Example of Personality Psychology?
One great example of personality psychology is heredity vs. environment. This particular part of personality psychology reviews the impacts that heredity factors and environmental factors can have on different aspects of personality. Currently, research suggests that both heredity and environmental factors play significant roles in the development of human personality.
What are Characteristics of Personality?
Characteristics of personality deal with the defining traits of an individual. These traits can impact emotional health, mental health, and life experiences. Some common personality characteristics include, but are definitely not limited to, the following: empathy, compassion, impatience, stoicness, and apathy.
Many personality tests and even psychological science show(s) that some people are likelier to have certain characteristics than others. Looking at what the research suggests on a trait theory or type indicator can be helpful in understanding more about characteristics of personality.
What are the Five Main Personality Traits?
The five main personality traits are as follows: openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and extraversion.
People with high levels of openness are generally creative and typically receptive to new ideas. Very agreeable people are often caring and empathetic while more conscientious people pay great attention to details and do well with schedules. Individuals with high levels of neuroticism typically struggle with stress and anxiety, while people with high levels of extraversion enjoy making friends and being at the center of attention.
What are the Six Traits of Good Character?
The six traits of good character are respect, trustworthiness, citizenship, fairness, responsibility, and care. Research suggests that many of these character traits (among others) arrive during early development; however, there are many major theories and one type indicator after the other about what leads people to develop certain traits.
What are the Three Natures of Personality?
The three natures of personality are as follows: response, stimulus, and intervening factor.
The response nature of personality involves theories of personality; these theories can revolve around mental health, the development of personality, and other factors. Personality as a stimulus is more focused on instincts, impulses, and habits of individuals. On the other hand, personality as an intervening factor is more centered around integration and adjustments of personality.
What is the Importance of Personality?
Personality is important for a plethora of reasons. An individual’s personality can impact their mental health, how they’re feeling and behaving, and much more. Personality also affects how a particular type indicator can signal the likelihood of certain trait developments. How a person moves through the world and the experiences they have will also be largely impacted by their personality.
Is Personality Genetic?
More than one study of personality shows that genetics can play a significant role in the development of personality. This can also expand into the quality of one’s mental health; hence, while genetic factors can and often do play a role in the development of personality, environmental factors are also proven to make a difference as well.
What are the Eight Types of Personalities?
Psychologist Carl Jung believed that there were eight types of personalities. These personality types are as follows: reflexive extrovert, reflexive introvert, sentimental extrovert, sentimental introvert, perceptive extrovert, perceptive introvert, intuitive extrovert, and intuitive introvert.
What is the Rarest Personality Type?
The INFJ personality type is regarded as the rarest in the world. Individuals with this particular personality type are generally more in touch with their feelings and intuition; INFJs are also known for their strong leadership capabilities and loyalty to friends. More often than not the INFJ personality type is reserved and introverted.
What are the Seven Personality Types?
The seven personality types are as follows: sustaining, guarding, creative, investigative, helping, connective, and commanding. There are a variety of personality tests that can help people learn which personality type is most like them.
The personality type that one has can also impact their mental health, interactions with others, and how they’re feeling and behaving. The Journal of Personality also commonly reviews matters related to personality psychology, genetics, and different personality types.
How Many Personality Types are There?
Various scientists, personality psychologists, study groups, and others have come up with different personality types; as such, there is not one specific numerical limit on types of personality. Although, there are many different ways to describe personality and not all personality psychologists have arrived at the same conclusions.
