Temperament vs. personality: Exploring the differences

You may have heard the terms “temperament” and “personality” used to describe how people relate to the world and to others. Because these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, it may be helpful to understand the specific differences between these two concepts. In general, temperament refers to biologically determined characteristics, and personality involves an individual’s enduring configuration of traits and behaviors. Temperament is usually more rigid than personality. For more insight regarding these concepts and how they may impact your mental health, consider connecting with a licensed therapist through in-person or online therapy sessions.

What is temperament?

When it comes to the question of temperament vs. personality, it may be helpful to start by defining each term. 

According to the American Psychological Association, temperament refers to “the basic foundation of personality, usually assumed to be biologically determined and present early in life, including such characteristics as energy level, emotional responsiveness, demeanor, mood, response tempo, behavioral inhibition, and willingness to explore.” 

In other words, a person’s temperament usually influences the way they interact with the world. It may consist of the aspects of personality with which they were born, such as their prevailing moods, reactions, and sensitivity levels. 

Research on temperament generally continues to evolve. Still, it’s believed that between 20% and 60% of a person’s temperament is determined by genetics. 

In addition, an individual’s environment during youth and early childhood can activate other genes, depending on the circumstances. 

A variety of models have been proposed for categorizing and defining different temperament traits. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

The four temperaments model

One of the earliest temperament models, this model breaks temperaments into four types (sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholic, and choleric), which feature traits such as introversion, extroversion, task orientation, and people orientation.

The Chess And Thomas model

Pioneered by psychiatrists Stella Chess and Alexander Thomas, this model proposes nine features that can inform the temperament of infants: activity level, intensity, sensitivity, distractibility, adaptability, mood/disposition, persistence, initial reaction, and regularity/rhythmicity. 

The Rothbart model

Also used to explain temperaments, this model developed by psychologist Mary K. Rothbart proposes three dimensions of human temperament: surgency/extraversion, negative affect, and effortful control.

What is personality?

The American Psychological Association defines personality as “the enduring configuration of characteristics and behavior that comprises an individual’s unique adjustment to life, including major traits, interests, drives, values, self-concept, abilities, and emotional patterns.”

A variety of models have been proposed to explain and dissect the concept of personality, including the following:

The big 5

Developed during the 1900s, the Big 5 Model is a well-known framework for looking at personality. Although it has evolved over time, it currently theorizes that there may be five key traits that make up a person’s personality: openness to experience, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, and conscientiousness. 

Eysenck’s model

Developed by psychologist Hans Eysenck, this model breaks personality down into three broad dimensions: introversion/extraversion, emotional stability/neuroticism, and psychoticism. 

The 16 personality factor model

Also known as the 16PF, this framework outlines 16 main personality traits: warmth, reasoning, emotional stability, dominance, liveliness, rule-consciousness, sensitivity, social boldness, vigilance, apprehension, abstractedness, openness to change, self-reliance, tension, and perfectionism. 

Temperament vs. Personality: Similarities and differences

Both your temperament and your personality can affect the way you react to situations, interact with others, and perceive the world. While temperament typically refers to innate characteristics, which are often influenced by genetics, personality may involve other factors. It may be helpful to think of temperament as one aspect of several under the broader umbrella of personality. 

Another distinct difference may be the flexibility of these two concepts. While certain personality traits may evolve or change to a certain extent with age, new circumstances, or other life changes, one’s temperament may remain more rigid. 

Temperament and personality: Mental health considerations

When considering the relationship between personality and mental health, it may be important to keep in mind that mental health can be influenced by a variety of factors, and these can vary from person to person. However, personality and temperament often play a role in mental health. 

Research into the relationship between mental health and personality tends to be ongoing and constantly evolving. Still, some studies have found an association between specific personality traits and the potential for mental illness. 

For example, a 2022 study suggested that those with the personality traits of neuroticism and openness were normally more likely to score highly on an assessment measuring symptoms associated with stress, anxiety, and depression, and those with the trait of agreeableness tended to receive lower scores on the same assessment.

If you have questions about the relationship between your personality, temperament, and mental health, a licensed therapist may be a valuable resource. Therapy can offer additional insights and recommendations for tending to your mental health and promoting overall well-being.

Benefits of online therapy

For those with busy schedules or mental health conditions that may make it difficult to leave the house, attending in-person therapy may not always be feasible. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may offer a convenient alternative. This form of remote therapy generally provides individuals with the option of attending therapy from the location of their choice via voice call, video call, or online chat. 

Effectiveness of online therapy

Online therapy can be effective in treating a range of mental health conditions. One 2017 study, for instance, found online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to be a valid treatment option for mental health disorders like depression, generalized anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, phobias, and bipolar disorder, among others. 

Takeaway

The terms “personality” and “temperament” are sometimes used interchangeably, but there may be a few key differences between them. While personality can refer to a person’s general outlook, behaviors, and ways of interacting with the world, temperament may involve specific, inherent genetic characteristics. While personality and temperament themselves may not necessarily be correlated with mental health, studies have found an association between specific personality traits and an increased incidence of certain mental health disorders. If you have questions about how your personality and temperament relate to your mental health or are interested in exploring the benefits of working with a licensed mental health professional, online therapy can be a helpful resource.