Personality
The word “Personality” has been derived from the Latin word “persona” which means a
mask worn by an actor while performing a character on the stage. According to All port
(1961) “personality is the dynamic organisation within the individual of those
psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustment to his environment”.
Personality refers to the unique set of characteristics, traits and patterns of behavior,
thoughts, and feelings that define an individual. It's a complex combination of emotional,
attitudinal, and behavioural response patterns that shape how a person interacts with
others and their environment.
Over the years, psychologists have proposed various theories to understand how
personality develops and functions. These theories differ in their assumptions, methods,
and focus areas.
One of the earliest and most influential approaches was the psychoanalytic theory
developed by Sigmund Freud. According to Freud, personality is shaped by unconscious
desires, early childhood experiences, and internal conflicts among the id (instinctual
desires), ego (rational self), and superego (moral conscience). He believed that unresolved
conflicts during psychosexual stages of development could result in personality disorders.
Building on this, Erik Erikson expanded Freud’s ideas with his psychosocial theory,
suggesting that personality develops throughout life in eight stages, each involving a
specific social conflict that influences personal growth.
In contrast to the focus on the unconscious, the trait theory emphasizes measurable
and stable characteristics that define a person. Psychologists such as Gordon Allport,
Raymond Cattell, and Hans Eysenck proposed that traits are enduring qualities that
influence behavior. The most widely accepted trait model today is the Five-Factor Model
(Big Five), which identifies five broad dimensions of personality: Openness,
Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. This approach focuses
on describing personality rather than explaining its origin.
Humanistic theories emphasize the inherent goodness of individuals and their drive
toward self-growth. Carl Rogers believed that a healthy personality develops when there is
congruence between a person’s self-concept and their experiences. He emphasized the
importance of unconditional positive regard in fostering self-worth. Similarly, Abraham
Maslow proposed a hierarchy of needs, suggesting that personality develops as individuals
strive to satisfy basic needs and eventually reach self-actualization, the realization of one’s
full potential.
The behaviorist perspective, championed by John Watson and B.F. Skinner, viewed
personality as a result of learned behavior. According to this theory, personality is shaped
by environmental stimuli, reinforcement, and punishment, rather than internal thoughts or
feelings. Extending this view, Albert Bandura’s social-cognitive theory introduced the idea
that personality is also influenced by observational learning, cognitive processes, and
beliefs about one’s abilities, known as self-efficacy. Bandura’s concept of reciprocal
determinism highlighted the dynamic interaction between the person, their behavior, and
the environment.
Biological theories of personality suggest that genetic and physiological factors
significantly contribute to individual differences. Studies of twins and research into brain
structures and neurotransmitters have shown that biological processes play a role in
personality traits such as extraversion or impulsivity. In addition, cognitive theories
emphasize the role of internal thought processes, reasoning, and perception in shaping
personality. These theories argue that how individuals interpret and think about their
experiences greatly influences their behavior and personality development.
Personality is a complex and multi-dimensional concept. Each theory offers a unique
perspective—whether it be through unconscious drives, observable traits, social
experiences, learned behaviors, or biological foundations.