Personality refers to the unique set of characteristics, behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that define an individual’s way of thinking, feeling, and interacting with others. It is a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors that shape a person’s identity.
Personality influences:
✔ How we react to situations (e.g., calm or aggressive).
✔ Our interactions with others (e.g., friendly or reserved).
✔ Decision-making and coping strategies.
✔ Gordon Allport (1937) – “Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his characteristic behavior and thought.”
✔ Funder (2001) – “Personality refers to an individual’s characteristic patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior, together with the psychological mechanisms—hidden or not—behind those patterns.”
✔ Mayer (2005) – “Personality is the system that organizes a person’s major psychological functions, including motives, emotions, and social behavior.”
✔ Personality is the way a person thinks, behaves, and reacts to different situations.
✔ Personality is the combination of traits that make each person unique.
✔ Personality is how a person expresses themselves in social, emotional, and cognitive aspects.
✔ Helps in understanding self and others.
✔ Influences career choices, relationships, and success.
✔ Affects stress management and coping strategies.
✔ Plays a role in mental health and social interactions.
Personality can be classified based on different psychological theories and approaches. Psychologists have proposed various ways to categorize personalities based on traits, behaviors, and cognitive patterns.
This ancient classification is based on bodily fluids (humors) and their influence on behavior.
| Personality Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Sanguine (Blood) | Social, lively, energetic, optimistic, talkative |
| Choleric (Yellow Bile) | Ambitious, leader-like, goal-driven, easily angered |
| Melancholic (Black Bile) | Thoughtful, creative, reserved, prone to sadness |
| Phlegmatic (Phlegm) | Calm, passive, peaceful, content, slow-moving |
Jung categorized people based on how they interact with the world.
| Personality Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Introvert | Reserved, prefers solitude, deep thinker |
| Extrovert | Outgoing, social, enjoys interaction |
| Ambivert | A mix of introvert and extrovert traits, adaptable |
Modern psychology classifies personality into five major traits.
| Trait | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Openness to Experience | Creative, curious, open-minded |
| Conscientiousness | Organized, responsible, goal-oriented |
| Extraversion | Outgoing, talkative, energetic |
| Agreeableness | Kind, compassionate, cooperative |
| Neuroticism | Anxious, emotionally unstable, prone to stress |
Freud classified personality based on the dominance of three structures in the psyche.
| Personality Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Id-Dominated | Impulsive, seeks pleasure, lacks discipline |
| Ego-Dominated | Balanced, rational, considers reality |
| Superego-Dominated | Moralistic, highly disciplined, perfectionist |
Sheldon linked personality to body structure.
| Body Type | Personality Traits |
|---|---|
| Endomorph (Round, Soft Body) | Sociable, relaxed, comfort-seeking |
| Mesomorph (Muscular, Athletic Body) | Active, adventurous, assertive |
| Ectomorph (Thin, Delicate Body) | Introverted, thoughtful, sensitive |
This classification is based on behavior patterns related to stress and competitiveness.
| Personality Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Type A | Competitive, ambitious, impatient, stress-prone |
| Type B | Relaxed, patient, non-competitive, low-stress |
The MBTI categorizes people into 16 personality types based on four dimensions:
| Dimension | Options |
|---|---|
| Energy Focus | Introversion (I) or Extroversion (E) |
| Information Processing | Sensing (S) or Intuition (N) |
| Decision Making | Thinking (T) or Feeling (F) |
| Lifestyle Preference | Judging (J) or Perceiving (P) |
Examples of MBTI Types:
✔ ISTJ (Inspector) – Practical, responsible, organized.
✔ ENFP (Campaigner) – Enthusiastic, creative, sociable.
✔ INTP (Thinker) – Analytical, independent, curious.
✔ Sattvic Personality – Pure, peaceful, self-controlled, spiritual.
✔ Rajasic Personality – Ambitious, restless, passionate.
✔ Tamasic Personality – Lazy, dull, resistant to change.
Personality measurement and evaluation refer to the systematic methods used to assess an individual’s personality traits, characteristics, and behavioral patterns. These assessments help in understanding a person’s emotional, social, and cognitive functioning.
✔ Measurement of Personality involves quantifying personality traits using standardized tests, observations, and techniques.
✔ Evaluation of Personality refers to analyzing and interpreting personality test results to understand a person’s strengths, weaknesses, and psychological well-being.
✔ Helps in psychological counseling and therapy.
✔ Assists in career guidance and job selection.
✔ Aids in understanding mental health disorders.
✔ Useful in educational settings for student development.
✔ Helps in research and personality development studies.
Personality assessment can be objective (structured, standardized) or subjective (unstructured, interpretative).
✔ Self-Report Questionnaires – Individuals answer standardized questions about their behavior (e.g., Big Five Personality Test).
✔ Rating Scales – Observers or psychologists rate the individual’s personality traits.
✔ Behavioral Assessments – Direct observation of an individual’s behavior in different situations.
✔ Rorschach Inkblot Test – Analyzing responses to ambiguous inkblots.
✔ Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) – Asking individuals to create stories based on images.
✔ Sentence Completion Test – Completing unfinished sentences to reveal personality aspects.
✔ Brain imaging and EEG – Studying brain activity related to personality traits.
✔ Hormonal and genetic studies – Understanding biological influences on personality.
Personality is generally stable, but certain factors can lead to alterations in behavior, emotions, and cognition. These changes may be temporary or permanent and can result from biological, psychological, social, or environmental influences.
✔ Neurological Disorders – Brain injuries, strokes, or dementia can alter personality.
✔ Hormonal Imbalance – Changes in thyroid, cortisol, or serotonin levels affect mood and behavior.
✔ Genetic Disorders – Some conditions like Fragile X syndrome or Down syndrome can impact personality traits.
✔ Mental Health Disorders – Conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia can significantly change personality.
✔ Trauma and Stress – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can cause shifts in behavior and emotional responses.
✔ Substance Abuse – Alcohol and drugs can alter cognitive and emotional functioning.
✔ Social Isolation – Loneliness and lack of social interaction can lead to withdrawn or anxious personality.
✔ Major Life Events – Loss of a loved one, job loss, or abuse can cause personality changes.
✔ Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease – Memory loss and confusion lead to personality shifts.
✔ Parkinson’s Disease – Affects mood and emotional stability.
✔ Mood Swings – Due to stress, hormonal changes, or medication side effects.
✔ Situational Personality Changes – Altered behavior in different environments (e.g., workplace vs. home).
✔ Adjustment Disorders – Temporary personality changes due to sudden stress or trauma.
✔ Personality Disorders – Chronic conditions like Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), or Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).
✔ Neurocognitive Decline – Progressive conditions like Alzheimer’s disease result in lasting changes.
✔ Severe Brain Injury – May cause permanent alterations in behavior and emotional control.
✔ Drastic mood changes (anger, sadness, irritability).
✔ Increased aggression or withdrawal from social interactions.
✔ Reduced impulse control and poor judgment.
✔ Hallucinations or delusions in severe cases.
✔ Changes in self-identity, confidence, or moral values.
✔ Medical and Psychological Assessment – Identifying underlying medical or mental health issues.
✔ Medication – Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotics for severe cases.
✔ Therapy and Counseling – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, and behavioral interventions.
✔ Lifestyle Modifications – Healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management to stabilize mood.
✔ Social Support and Rehabilitation – Encouraging family involvement and community support.
Personality influences an individual’s thoughts, emotions, behavior, and coping mechanisms. Nurses play a crucial role in assessing personality traits, identifying alterations, and helping individuals improve or manage personality changes caused by illness, trauma, or mental health conditions.
✔ Observation of Behavior and Interaction Patterns
✔ Using Standardized Personality Tests and Screening Tools
✔ Conducting Psychological Interviews and History-Taking
✔ Assessing Communication and Emotional Responses
✔ Encouraging Self-Awareness and Reflection
✔ Providing Emotional and Behavioral Counseling
✔ Referring to Mental Health Professionals
✔ Administering medications for mood stabilization (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics).
✔ Monitoring side effects of psychiatric drugs that can influence personality.
✔ Encouraging Positive Reinforcement
✔ Helping in Emotional Regulation
✔ Guiding Conflict Resolution and Decision-Making
✔ Encouraging routine-building and structured activities for stability.
✔ Helping patients with vocational training and social reintegration.
✔ Promoting exercise, a balanced diet, and healthy lifestyle choices to support mental well-being.