What is Personality?

The post is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.

Personality is a big part of what makes everyone so unique and different from the person next to them. If you think about personality, there are probably a lot of things that come to mind. Some people are very extraverted, for example, and love being around other people. Others like their alone time and tend to be shyer. There are certain people who like to be organized and would describe themselves as Type-A minimalists. Others would call themselves Type-B individuals who have little regard for order and are more neurotic. Some people get along well with others and are very open, while other people are more closed off and withdrawn. Since personality is such a big aspect of what makes someone how they are, it can help to understand what can affect and determine different aspects of it. Although much is still unknown, it is still an interesting topic to explore here and at https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/personality/.

Aspects of Personality

There are billions of people on earth, all with their own unique personality. Though two people may be very similar and have a lot in common, there are no two individuals who are exactly alike. Several different factors work together to make up someone’s personality, including:

• Behaviors: The actions a person takes on a regular basis.
• Mannerisms: The unique quirks a person has.
• Expressions: The facial or other bodily expressions one displays.
• Morals: The value system a person holds.
• Emotions: The emotions (or lack thereof) a person shares with others.
• Sociability: The way in which someone interacts with other people.

How Personality Is Formed

Although there is still a lot of research that needs to be done, scientists generally agree that personality is a variety of environmental and genetic factors. Since humans are such social creatures, our personalities also form as we observe the behaviors of other people. Various psychologists have proposed different theories of personality development over the years, but much is still unknown. For years scientists believed that personality was permanent, but new research shows that it might actually change over time, even if just a little.

It is clear that one’s environment has a big influence on how a person will turn out. For example, in cases of abuse or trauma, some people even go on to develop personality disorders. Personality disorders are marked by patterns of thinking or behaving that differ from what’s normal or expected by society. Luckily, there are treatments available should someone have a personality disorder. These could include things like talk therapy or medication but will depend on the individual and what their therapist or doctor recommends.

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The Big Five Traits

Although there are definitive differences in personality depending on where you travel in the world (due to different cultures), there are also several traits that are shared by humankind. Scientists have identified five of them, which are listed below in more detail:

1. Neuroticism: This refers to a person’s tendencies toward anxiety and depression. A neurotic individual usually experiences more negative feelings like self-doubt. They may worry about many different things, get upset easily, and have a hard time bouncing back from difficult events. On the other hand, someone who isn’t very neurotic tends to be more stable and secure in themselves. They might rarely feel down and deal well with stress.
2. Extraversion: Extraversion describes how sociable or assertive a person is. Usually, an extraverted individual is more talkative, outgoing, and energetic. An introverted person tends to be more reserved, shy, or withdrawn. They might take more time to open up and have a smaller circle of friends.
3. Agreeableness: Someone’s level of agreeableness can indicate how compassionate, respectful, and trustworthy they might be. When someone is highly agreeable, they’re often more friendly. They like helping other people, feel empathy, and have a genuine interest in the lives of others. When someone is less agreeable, they might be more critical or rational. They might disregard the feelings of others and use manipulation to get what they want.
4. Openness: Openness refers to how open someone is to trying something new or having new experiences. It can also include factors like curiosity, impulsivity, and imagination. When someone scores low on openness, they’re more likely to be rigid, cautious, and consistent in their thoughts and behaviors. They will also usually be more resistant to change in their life.
5. Conscientiousness: When someone is conscientious, they’re more likely to be orderly, productive, and responsible. People who are low in conscientiousness tend to be more careless and less organized.

Most people fall somewhere in the middle for each of these traits. Each category runs on a continuum and represents two opposite ends of a spectrum. For example, introversion is the opposite of extraversion. It is possible to score on the extreme end of any of these traits, but that tends to be rarer.

Conclusion

A lot of different aspects go into making someone the person that they are. Personality is a huge part of a person’s identity, but there is still much we don’t know about it. Still, it’s clear that humans pay attention to the personalities of the people around them. It’s how we make friends and choose romantic partners; normally, we choose people who are similar to us. With personality affecting so many different facets of life, it’s easy to see how important it is to live authentically. Although your personality can give you trouble at times, it is also something to be proud of because it makes you who you are. If you’re experiencing a personality disorder or any other issue, consider reaching out to a qualified mental health professional. They can help you sort through any worries, concerns, or fears you might be having. Then, you can get back to living a life in which you’re comfortable in your own skin.