Personality vs. Character

Exploring the Distinction Between What We Are and Who We Choose to Be

Dec 22, 2024

I once assumed that the terms character and personality were interchangeable—two words for the same concept, with character perhaps being the older, more antiquated way of saying personality. Personality is certainly the dominant term within academic psychology. Personality psychology is often a compulsory topic for students undertaking psychology courses, degrees, or programs, reflecting its central role in understanding human behavior.

The study of personality has a rich and varied history within psychology, supported by a variety of theoretical traditions. From the dispositional (trait) perspective to psychodynamic, humanistic, biological, behaviorist, evolutionary, and social learning theories, personality psychology has explored how traits and behaviors shape who we are and how we interact with the world.

Yet despite the prominence of personality psychology, I’ve always been drawn to the concept of character—a term that carries a sense of moral and ethical weight. There’s something timeless about references to character, particularly in older writings, that resonates deeply. One of my favorite references comes from psychology legend William James, who, in honoring the memory of his friend Thomas Davidson, shared the following maxim:

Let not your goodness be professional; let it be the simple, natural outcome of your character.

Therefore cultivate character.

From Character to Personality: A Historical Overview

The journey from character to personality as the dominant framework for understanding individual differences is a fascinating tale of intellectual evolution, cultural shifts, and scientific inquiry.

Antiquity:
The roots of the concept of character can be traced back to ancient Greece, where philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle explored moral qualities—virtues and vices—as central to ethical living. Aristotle’s virtue ethics emphasized that the development of good character traits was essential for achieving a life of flourishing (eudaimonia).

Roman Era:
Roman thinkers such as Cicero, Seneca, and Plutarch built on Greek ideas, emphasizing the importance of reason and reflection in lifelong character formation. Their work framed character as the embodiment of wisdom, courage, and temperance, shaping an individual’s ability to navigate life’s moral challenges.

Middle Ages:
Theological perspectives deeply influenced the understanding of character during the Middle Ages. Character was seen as intertwined with divine will, and the goal of moral development was to align oneself with God’s teachings through humility, piety, and self-discipline.

19th Century:
The term personality began to appear in theological, legal, and ethical contexts during the 19th century. In France, medical professionals used personality in a medicalized sense, linking it to disorders and contributing to the study of personality disorders. While character still dominated moral and ethical discussions, the emergence of personality introduced a new lens for understanding individual differences.

Early 20th Century:
The early 20th century saw the rise of the mental hygiene movement, which emphasized individual maladjustment as the root of social and personal problems. Personality became a central concept in this movement, reflecting a shift from moral evaluation to psychological understanding.

During this period, psychologists from the Galtonian tradition—focused on mental testing and individual differences—expanded their studies to include non-cognitive traits. Gordon W. Allport, influenced by behaviorist John B. Watson, explicitly distinguished personality as a neutral construct from character, which he defined as an evaluative aspect of personality. This redefinition positioned personality as the preferred term in scientific psychology.

Mid 20th Century:
The mid-20th century marked the flourishing of academic personality psychology, with researchers working to identify and measure basic personality traits. This effort culminated in models like the Big Five, which provided a framework for understanding traits such as openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

As personality gained prominence in academic circles, the concept of character faded into the background, although it remained relevant in everyday language, popular culture, and some philosophical discussions.

Late 20th Century – Present:
The rise of situationism in the late 20th century challenged the notion of stable, cross-situational personality traits. This sparked philosophical debates about the distinctions between character and personality. Some scholars argued for the relevance of “thick ethical concepts,” which blur the lines between descriptive facts and moral evaluations, suggesting that a strict separation between character and personality may not be possible.

What is the Difference Between Character and Personality?

Personality: The Whole You

Personality is the broader, all-encompassing concept that includes the entire set of behaviors, interests, thoughts, beliefs, experiences, and traits that define an individual. It represents the totality of “you,” shaped by both inherited and learned factors. Personality can be thought of as a tapestry woven from three primary components:

Temperament: The biologically determined foundation of personality present from birth. Temperament influences traits like energy levels, emotional responsiveness, and reactions to the environment.
Character: The ethical and moral subset of personality, shaped by personal values, principles, and choices.
Learned Patterns: Behaviors and beliefs influenced by experiences, culture, and environment.

Character: The Ethical Core

Character, while a crucial aspect of personality, is more specific. It focuses on an individual’s moral and ethical qualities—such as integrity, honesty, and kindness—and their social attitudes. Unlike temperament, which is largely inherited, character is shaped through conscious decisions and life experiences. It is developed and refined through personal values and principles and is often tested in circumstances that challenge these beliefs.

In essence:

Personality encompasses what you are—your likes, dislikes, habits, and temperament.
Character reflects who you are—your moral compass and how you treat others.

Why the Distinction Matters

Recognizing the difference between character and personality is useful for several reasons:

Understanding Human Behavior:
A nuanced understanding of personality as a multi-faceted construct—including stable temperament and evolving character—offers deeper insights into individual differences and motivations.
Making Informed Judgments:
People often mistake appealing personality traits (such as charisma or humor) for indicators of strong character. Separating personality from character helps make better assessments, especially in important decisions like hiring, leadership selection, or forming close relationships.
Personal Growth and Development:
While personality traits, particularly temperament, are largely inherited, character traits are malleable. Through conscious effort, individuals can cultivate and strengthen positive character traits, such as resilience, empathy, and integrity.
Impacts on Well-Being:
Research highlights that specific personality traits—such as high conscientiousness or low neuroticism—are closely tied to mental and physical health. However, character also plays a critical role, particularly in fostering meaningful relationships and contributing positively to society.

Personality vs. Character: A Dual Perspective

Personality is like the framework of a house, providing the structure and outward appearance of who we are. Character, on the other hand, is the foundation, representing the moral values that guide our decisions and define our legacy. Together, they offer a more complete picture of the individual.

As mentioned earlier, there is a school of thought suggesting that a strict separation between character and personality may not be possible. However, my personal view is that by teasing out the distinction, we can better appreciate the complex interplay of traits that shape human behavior. This understanding not only allows us to evaluate ourselves and others more accurately but also empowers us to cultivate a stronger, more ethical character—contributing positively to both personal well-being and the world around us.

When someone uses the word “character,” you might assume they mean personality, but that’s not always the case. (Psych Central)

Inspiring Examples of Character

Our personalities, with their inherent traits and tendencies, can shape the development of our character. However, through conscious effort and choices, we can also cultivate positive character traits that may not be naturally prominent in our personality. With this in mind, I thought it would interesting to highlight individuals who personify good character through their conscious effort and choices.

Who comes to mind when you think of someone—real or fictional—who embodies remarkable character through their conscious effort and choices? Share your thoughts and let me know why they inspire you!

Here are a few examples:

Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Justification: Atticus Finch epitomizes moral courage and integrity. Despite facing intense societal backlash, his unwavering commitment to justice and fairness, even when unpopular, highlights a character rooted in ethical convictions and empathy.

Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice)

Justification: Elizabeth exhibits strength of character through her wit, independence, and refusal to compromise her principles. She turns down Mr. Collins’s proposal, despite societal pressures, and challenges Mr. Darcy to reflect on his prejudices. Her integrity and commitment to authenticity define her character.

Nelson Mandela

Justification: Mandela’s decades-long struggle against apartheid in South Africa, including 27 years of imprisonment, demonstrates an unwavering commitment to justice and reconciliation. After becoming president, he prioritized healing and unity over retribution, embodying forgiveness and ethical leadership.

Malala Yousafzai (1997–present)

Justification: After surviving an assassination attempt for advocating girls’ education, Malala continued her fight for education equality on a global stage. Her bravery, resilience, and refusal to succumb to fear exemplify moral courage and a commitment to social justice.

Who comes to mind when you think of someone—real or fictional—who embodies remarkable character through their conscious effort and choices? Share your thoughts and say why they inspire you!