When we talk about someone, we may describe them as honest, bubbly, outgoing, introverted, decent, deceitful, or distant.
But have you ever thought of different traits in terms of personality vs character?
Are they the same? What is the difference?
Most of us use the terms “personality” and “character” interchangeably. Still, there are vital differences we will explain in this article. We also discuss how one impacts the other, how to tell someone’s true character — and how character is built.
Understanding the relationship between personality and true character provides a foundation for implementing tricks to boost charm, as aligning genuine character traits with likable qualities enhances overall charisma.
Related: How to Identify Your Personality—Top 5 Personality Assessments
The Relationship Between Personality and Character
When discussing personality versus character traits, we should begin with similarities. Both play a role in shaping an individual’s identity. They both affect behavior.
Personality and character traits are interconnected. Sometimes, they overlap. At other times, however, they might clash. When they do, the key differences between character and personality come into play.
For example, you might have intended to help your friend move to a new apartment, which comes from your character. However, you later hear that there will be many other people and the move will turn into a party. Your introversion (a personality trait) made you cancel because you do not feel at ease in such a hectic social environment.
So, let’s define personality and character before exploring how much personality affects character.
What Personality Refers To
Personality is a complex notion that has interested philosophers and psychologists for centuries.
We could define personality as an enduring and dynamic set of characteristics that impact behavior. A person’s traits, interests, motives, values, self-concept, abilities, and emotional patterns comprise personality. This unique combination results from hereditary factors and an individual’s experiences throughout life.
Personality traits may not necessarily reflect the ethical dimensions inherent in character. So, what is character?
What Character Refers To
According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, character refers to: “the totality of an individual’s attributes and personality traits, particularly their characteristic moral, social, and religious attitudes.” For the sake of inclusivity and clarity, we want to add that "religious attitudes" include any form of spirituality, not just adhering to formal religious practices.
Therefore, when we talk about someone’s true character, we focus on the intrinsic moral principles and values that serve as the foundation for ethical behavior. It guides us in making choices, navigating situations, and deciding right from wrong — within our values system.
We see from the definition that personality traits are a part of character. But how does personality impact character? And how much? Let’s explore that relationship more closely.
How Much Do Personality Traits Impact a Person’s True Character?
Even though some thinkers consider personality and character traits synonymous to some extent, research shows that character strengths cannot be equated entirely to personality traits. Human behavior and behavioral patterns are very complex.
The main difference in the personality versus character debate is stability. According to classic research conducted in the 1920s, consistency in morality-related behavior was lower than many expected.
But how much of this variability in character is due to personality? If we return to the example above, personality directly alters behavior. The person in that situation decided not to do what they would otherwise consider right.
So, do personality traits impact someone’s true character?
In short, yes; here is how:
Value Alignment
Personality traits can affect which values a person prioritizes and what they consider ethical behavior.
For example, a person whose main personality trait is consciousness might give precedence to completing work obligations over leisure time. Or, they will be meticulous at the expense of spending time with their family or friends, sometimes jeopardizing their work-life balance.
Consistency Through Resilience
Certain personality traits are associated with resilience. Neuroticism, extraversion, openness (from the BIG-5 personality test), and hopelessness correlate with resilience, according to a recent study.
Resilience, on the other hand, may assist a person in following their moral compass even during hardships. When someone has robust emotional stability, a personality trait, they will likely maintain their ethical principles and navigate challenging situations without compromising their character.
Interpersonal Dynamics
Our interactions are largely affected by our personality traits. One of the chief characteristics that contribute to quality relationships is empathy.
And when a person is highly empathetic, they are more likely to engage in healthy and respectful interpersonal dynamics. When willing to put ourselves in another person’s shoes, we probably will not be judgmental or self-centered. We will cooperate better.
Similarly, with the help of traits like agreeableness and consciousness, we will be open to compromise and resolve conflicts.
Adaptability and Growth
Personality traits affect how rigid or open we are. Some people feel safer moving within entrenched pathways, while others prefer exploring new horizons.
A personality trait like openness to experience or curiosity often translates into a willingness to respect others’ worldviews. A more rigid thinker might miss opportunities to grow, explore, and embrace diverse perspectives.
How Can You Identify a Person’s True Character?
Identifying a person’s character involves distinguishing between surface-level behaviors and the deeper, enduring moral qualities that guide their choices. However, this is not always easy. To understand a person's true character, it's essential to observe their actions and reactions, just as seeking feedback can reveal if you're perceived as annoying.
Personality traits are often more directly observable.
Genuine character is revealed through consistency — especially when no one is watching. Many people will act better when someone is aware of it. It is well-known that praise or fear of reproach is a strong motivator for moral and ethical behavior. However, this may be only a surface-level character.
For example, you usually need more than one interaction to tell if a person has a strong character and qualities like honesty, empathy, and understanding of others’ beliefs and feelings. Even though psychology acknowledges the importance of the first impression, we rarely have enough data to know for sure whether someone has certain traits of character and personality.
Therefore, true character resides in someone’s consistent adherence to moral principles. You can identify a person’s true character by observing their actions over time or in challenging situations.
Here are a few circumstances where someone’s character is likely to reveal itself subtly:
- Behavior toward customer service staff (servers, cashiers, store clerks, and receptionists)
- Response to criticism
- Their life choices
- How much and what kind of social support they have
- Reactions during crises
- Behavior towards animals
- Volunteering or charity engagement
- Relationship with the environment
Can Someone Develop Positive Character Traits?
Yes, they can.
Research suggests that we change as we mature. Significant life events might also cause a shift within and prompt us towards high moral standards and more ethical behavior.
Most importantly, if we put our minds to making a positive change, with some discipline, we can adopt positive character traits and let go of negative traits that don't serve us well. Here is how.
Develop Awareness and Self-Awareness
First, you need clarity on where you are — and where you want to be. Self-reflection is a powerful tool in character development.
Start by defining the moral values you cherish and want to develop. If you are unsure where to start, you may want to think about your role models and people you respect and determine what makes you look up to them.
Consider honesty, consistency, integrity, empathy, responsibility, and kindness. Do these resonate with you? Which ones do you need to work on, and which already constitute your character?
When you understand what matters to you, you can start analyzing your behavior from that perspective.
Consider journaling. Make notes of situations that challenged your character. What have you done? What would you like to have done differently? What character trait would you like to have displayed in that situation? Or, what did you do well, and would you want to repeat in similar situations in the future?
Taking a gratitude challenge can also help you focus on the positives.
Be Intentional
After you have spent some time analyzing your current and future character, it is time for you to set clear ethical standards for yourself. Write them down, make visual reminders, or do whatever works for you. In this way, you will have a structured framework for your growth.
When faced with choices, go back to these standards. Consider how each option aligns with your ethical principles. Then, choose the path reinforcing the character traits you want to develop.
Commit to Growth and Overcoming Challenges
Change is always challenging. You will face challenges and setbacks. Every failure is an opportunity for personal growth.
Do not beat yourself up for occasional mistakes. Instead, analyze the situation. Determine how you behaved, why, how you would like to act in the future, and what you need to achieve this goal.
Actively seek feedback about your behavior and character from people you respect. External perspectives help you navigate areas for improvement and refine your character.
Craft a Character-Driven Future
As we navigate the complexities of life, the subtle yet impactful moments — our reactions to criticism, responses during crises, and interactions with others — reveal the depth of our character. The best news is, however, that we can intentionally cultivate virtues and commit to ethical choices.
The first step towards crafting a character-driven future is recognizing that personality traits influence behavior and moral decision-making.
The interplay of personality and character traits is intricate. The distinction between the two becomes a roadmap for surrounding yourself with quality people, growing as a person, and developing ethically. In this article, we aspired to assist you in designing yours.
If you are ready to embark on your character-driven journey, start today by setting intentional ethical standards and committing to growth.
To gain a better understanding of your character and personality, you can take a personality test. There are a variety of options that will identify different aspects of your character traits and personality traits.
We've talked about the Big Five personality test quite a bit; here are some more options:
