Understanding Personality: Traits, Development, and Disorders

What is Personality?

Personality is a combination of temperament and character in a single structure. It consists of a set of psychological characteristics that express themselves in all our actions.

• Temperament is our biological heritage, representing the influence of our encoded physical nature.
• Character refers to acquired characteristics developed through our growth and represents a degree of conformity with social norms.

Key Characteristics of Personality

1. It is not a physical entity.
2. It is the usual behavior of a person.
3. It is produced by the interaction of genetic inheritance, the environment, learning, and personal experience.
4. It develops and changes throughout life.
5. It is individual, social, and cultural.
6. Personal autonomy is the ability of individuals to cope with their existence.

Methods for Studying Personality

1. Direct observation to collect information on the conduct of the person.
2. Clinical interview to reveal the subjective experience of people.
3. Personality questionnaires.
4. Projective tests: evidence from which drawings, words, etc., the individual tells their stories.

Personality Disorder Characteristics

1. Arise in all cultures and social groups.
2. Are limited and rigid behavior patterns.
3. Cause emotional fragility in stressful situations.
4. Disorders are not homogeneous.

Types of Personalities

• Narcissistic: Presumptuous, snobbish, spoiled, and exploitative; wants to be the center of attention and is exhibitionistic.
• Antisocial: Cold, hard, insensitive, ambitious, aggressive, intolerant individuals who neglect the rights and welfare of others.
• Dependent: Docile, with low self-esteem and feelings of inferiority.
• Paranoid: Distrust of others and tend to be on guard.

The Big Five Personality Dimensions

• Agreeableness: Nice people who avoid conflicts and get along with others.
• Extraversion: Friendly and affectionate people who love to have fun and interact.
• Neuroticism: People with low emotional stability, low personal control, and low self-esteem.
• Conscientiousness: The desire and impulse control, along with honest goals and objectives.
• Openness to Experience: Thoughtful people, motivated by broad interests and culture.