Personality consists of relatively stable aspects of an individual that distinguish them from others and allow predictions of future behavior. It includes physical, mental, moral, and social qualities that can be observed by others and are integrated over time. While some argue personality is inherited, others believe the environment shapes it through learning; most agree both heredity and environment influence personality, which can change more during adolescence than adulthood.
2. Personality
• Repeatedly, we evaluate the people we meet in everyday life. We
make subjective assessments of their behaviour. We note their
personal appearance and their mannerisms.
• We listen to what they have to say and watch what they do in
different settings.
• We use this information to make a subjective judgement of the
“personality” of the person concerned.
• This process elicits descriptions of personality traits such as boring,
lively, cautious, innovative, rigid, flexible, uninspiring, imaginative,
and so on. The definitions that follow capture what is generally meant
by personality.
3. Personality
• Personality consists of “those relatively stable and enduring aspects
of the individual which distinguish him from other people and at the
same time form the basis of our predictions concerning his future
behaviour” (Wright, Taylor, Davies, Sluckin, Lee, & Reason, 1970).
• Personality consists of the physical, mental, moral, and social qualities
of the individual.
• These qualities are dynamic and integrated: they can be observed by
other people in everyday life.
4. Personality
• Some argue that personality is inherited and determined by genetics.
• But others maintain that personality is shaped by our environment
(e.g. cultural and social forces) and that our feelings and behaviour
are learned.
• Yet others who contribute to the debate acknowledge the influence
of both heredity and the environment. Therefore, it would be unwise
to suggest that personality never changes.
• For example, the teenage years are a period when there is much
exploration and change, and it is said that personality is more
changeable in adolescence and more stable in adulthood.
