Personalities

Personality refers to the enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish one individual from another. These patterns are relatively stable across time and situations, but can be influenced by development, life experiences, and culture. The study of personality seeks to describe, explain, and predict consistent behavior.

Trait theories conceive personality as a set of stable dispositions or traits. The most influential framework is the Big Five, or OCEAN: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Other trait models include narrower trait systems and temperament frameworks that emphasize biological foundations. Type theories, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, classify people into discrete categories, but such typologies are controversial due to limited reliability and predictive validity.

Personality emerges from biological factors such as genetics and temperament, combined with environmental influences from family, culture, and life experiences. Longitudinal research shows substantial stability over adulthood but allows gradual change, particularly in response to life events and deliberate personal development. Assessment methods include self-report questionnaires and observer ratings; psychologists also use projective tests and behavioral measures. Psychometric properties such as reliability and validity are central concerns.

Knowledge of personality informs clinical assessment, education, career counseling, and organizational hiring and development. Critics note that personality measurement can be prone to social desirability, cultural bias, and overgeneralization. Some typological instruments may lack predictive utility and overlook context-dependent behavior. A balanced view emphasizes trait-informed understanding within situational contexts.