What Is Personality?

Personality  simply defined as a set of elements or functions of our psyche and behavior by which each person distinguishes themselves from others. That being said, we need to elaborate more on what personality means.

Personality Means Then

As one of the key concepts in psychology, it has been studied for centuries. Theoretical systems we work with and study were created most explicitly when Sigmund Freud was alive. Psychologists were examining personality meanings  to explain the different functions of the human mind and behavior. Many of them discovered how all these traits and elements are interconnected.

Yet, the first personality simply definition,  theory was created by Hippocrates, around 400 BC. He thought that four humors describe the human personality. These are black bile, yellow bile, blood, and phlegm. All of them related to atmospheric conditions and defining the way people behave. With the predominance of each of the four humors, Galen described the following personality types:

  • Melancholic (black bile predominates): People with melancholic temperament, sensitive, artistic souls.
  • Choleric (yellow bile predominates): People with great vitality, a lot of energy, who get angry rapidly.
  • Sanguine (blood predominates): People who are joyful, self-confident, optimistic, and outgoing.
  • Phlegmatic (phlegm predominates): People who are deep thinkers, acting slowly, willing to compromise.

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Personality Means Now

When we look at modern psychology,  the meaning of personality is perceived as a set of traits that make each person special. These are elements that are deeply interlocked within our minds https://www.verywellmind.com/. Do you feel like sometimes you want to change or make something happen but you just cannot move onwards? There is a high probability that your personality is holding you back. And it is not your fault, that is just the way you are.

Personality is not something we have a great impact on. What we can change, however, is our character. Seen as dynamically changing, the character is deeply influenced by many things. Especially, when we are growing up.

Personality can be simply defined as a set of elements or functions of our psyche and behavior by which each person distinguishes themselves from others

Our environment can have a great impact on our character – parents, teachers, friends, and enemies too. Other people can influence and shape how we act and react to the surrounding world. Still, behind all of that is our personality, which affects our character. Together, they create what we can call the “self”.

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