Chapter 1: Defining Personality Traits

What constitutes your personality, and which traits define you? Personality traits represent consistent individual differences in our behavior, thoughts, and emotions.

By Tchiki Davis

KEY POINTS: Personality traits reflect habitual differences in behavior, thought, and emotion. The "Big Five" traits include extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. The social-cognitive theory suggests that personality is fluid and influenced by our environment.

When considering what personality means, perspectives vary widely. Some view it as an unconscious aspect of ourselves, while others see it as a narrative we construct throughout our lives (Cervone, Shadel, & Jencius, 2001). Ultimately, personality traits can be understood as habitual differences in how we think, feel, and behave.

The Theory of Personality

Historically, the concept of personality was not well understood. People have often used adjectives to describe others, labeling them as responsible, innovative, or friendly. Researchers have examined these descriptors, revealing five primary categories that encompass them, known as the Big Five personality traits (Goldberg, 1993).

The Big Five traits are:

1. Extraversion vs. Introversion: Involves energy levels, sociability, and assertiveness.
2. Agreeableness vs. Hostility: Relates to cooperation and empathy.
3. Conscientiousness vs. Undependability: Centers on orderliness and responsibility.
4. Neuroticism vs. Emotional Stability: Reflects emotional reactions and stability.
5. Openness to Experience vs. Close-mindedness: Encompasses creativity and receptiveness to new ideas (DeNeve & Cooper, 1998).

Although these traits are categorized into five broad dimensions, individuals may exhibit varying degrees of each trait. This means one can be predominantly extroverted or introverted, or somewhere in between.

Extraversion Assessment

• I express my feelings openly.
• I tend to take charge in social settings.
• I enjoy engaging with diverse groups at events.
• I find it easy to make friends.
• I am articulate in conversations.

Conscientiousness Assessment

• I adhere to established guidelines.
• I strive to follow rules consistently.
• I believe in strict law enforcement.
• I pay close attention to detail.
• I appreciate organization.

Emotional Stability Assessment

• I rarely experience feelings of sadness.
• I generally feel relaxed.
• I am comfortable in my own skin.
• I am not easily disturbed by issues.
• I adapt well to changes.

Agreeableness Assessment

• I empathize with others' emotions.
• I possess a compassionate nature.
• I am sensitive to others' feelings.
• I care about the well-being of others.
• I help others feel comfortable.

Openness Assessment

• I appreciate the beauty of nature.
• I value artistic expression.
• I enjoy deep contemplation.
• I notice beauty that others may overlook.
• I seek creative outlets.

Calculate your score across these five traits; higher scores indicate stronger manifestations of those traits.

Alternative Theories of Personality

While the Big Five model is widely recognized, the social-cognitive theory of personality provides an alternative viewpoint. This theory posits that our behaviors, often perceived as personality, are largely shaped by social stimuli. Unlike the Big Five approach, which views personality as fixed, the social-cognitive perspective emphasizes that personality can evolve based on our experiences (Cervone, Shadel, & Jencius, 2001).

Understanding where we stand in terms of personality can enhance our self-awareness and personal growth.

The first video, "What is Character? (Let's Make It Easy)," breaks down the concept of character in a straightforward manner, helping viewers understand its significance in everyday life.

Chapter 2: Engaging with Character Traits

The second video, "Name That Character Trait (Challenge Video)," invites participants to identify various character traits, making the learning process both interactive and entertaining.