Psychology Chapter 1: Definition of Personality

Study Notes

Personality is often associated with someone's public image, or how they appear to others.
The term "personality" originates from the Latin word "personae," which refers to the masks worn by actors in ancient Greek plays.
Different theorists have varying definitions of personality:
- Gordon Allport believed personality is a real, internal aspect of an individual that influences their behavior and thoughts.
- Carl Rogers defined personality as a consistent pattern of self-perception, forming the core of an individual's experiences.
- B.F. Skinner argued that the concept of personality is unnecessary to understand human behavior.
- Sigmund Freud emphasized the largely unconscious and hidden nature of personality.
Personality is generally defined as consistent behavior patterns and internal processes originating within the individual.
According to Larsen & Buss (2018), personality is a collection of psychological traits and mechanisms that influence how individuals interact with their internal, physical, and social environments.

Psychological traits are characteristics describing individual differences or similarities.
Psychological mechanisms focus on the processes involved in personality, extending beyond simple characteristics.
Within the individual: Personality resides within a person and influences their actions, thoughts, and feelings.
Organized and relatively enduring: Traits and mechanisms are organized within the individual and typically remain relatively stable over time.
Influence interactions and adaptations: Personality impacts how an individual interacts with their surroundings, including people, objects, and situations.

Personality theories stem from different philosophical assumptions and issues.
Scientific constructs attempt to define and measure personality in a systematic way, aiming to be objective and testable.

Evaluating personality theories involves assessing their comprehensiveness, parsimony, heuristic value, testability, and empirical validation.

Personality theories provide valuable insights for professionals in human services.
Understanding personality can help practitioners work effectively with clients, develop better communication skills, and provide tailored interventions.