A person’s personality is a person’s characteristics in terms of emotions, attitudes and behavior. It is a fairly stable concept, which makes it possible to predict how someone will react in a certain situation based on known traits. Here an overview will be given of the meaning of the term personality, tests used to measure personality and personality disorders.
By temperament…
When a baby is born, certain things are already noticeable that are characteristic of this baby. One baby cries a lot, the other is very calm. In principle we can speak of a personality, but this is called something else. The ,character, of a baby, present from birth, is called its temperament. Temperament is about how lively a baby is and how it handles certain situations. This has not yet been influenced by the situations, but is something that is genetically determined.
…to personality
When a baby grows into a child, it comes into contact with all kinds of situations, people and objects. This leads to a real character development. The innate temperament gradually develops into the personality. A personality is formed by decisions made and influences things we stand for, our norms and values and our expectations.
However, a personality is not static, but dynamic. Although a personality is fairly stable, it can still change due to certain events.
Personality tests
Personality has been approached in different ways. There are all kinds of tests that try to measure personality. Not every test uses the same traits, nor does it measure personality in the same way:
- Trait theory: This theory sees traits as relatively stable, different from person to person and influencing behavior (for example: the Big Five).
- Type theory: This theory distinguishes certain types of personalities. For example, a distinction can be made between people who are introverted and people who are extroverted. A distinction is also made between the type A personality (intense and highly driven) and the type B personality (calm, relaxed and not very competitive).
- Psychoanalytic theory: This theory views behavior as arising from the interaction between different aspects of the personality, such as Freud’s Id, Ego and Superego.
- Behavioral theory: This theory looks at the effect of external stimuli on behavior, based on, for example, reactions and consequences.
- Social-cognitive theory: This theory describes behavior on the basis of cognitions (expectations, thoughts, etc.).
- Humanistic theory: This theory emphasizes the free will of man which determines behavior.
- Biopsychological theory: Personality is linked to the brain.
Some well-known tests to determine which personality exists:
- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI): To find pathological personality traits.
- Rorschach Inkblot Test: Personality based on the interpretation of inkblots (projective test).
- Thematic Apperception Test: Personality based on interpretation of theme pictures (projective test).
- 16PF Questionnaire: Personality is divided into fifteen traits: sociable, intelligent, cheerful, dominant, relaxed, radical, self-disciplined, independent, emotionally stable, conscientious, timid, sensitive, naive, practical, predisposed to guilt and confidential.
- Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R): Personality based on the Big Five: Extraversion, Good-naturedness, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability and Openness (to experience).
- Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ): Personality based on three factors: psychoticism, extraversion and neuroticism.
Personality disorder
Sometimes a particular trait can go too far; one then speaks of a personality disorder. A personality disorder is also described as ,a condition involving a rigid and enduring pattern of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that deviates from expectations within a culture., Abnormalities are found in the areas of cognition, affect, (social) functioning and impulse control.
The DSM-IV distinguishes between ten personality disorders, which are divided into three clusters:
- Cluster A: Strange or eccentric behavior;
- Cluster B: Theatrical, emotional or erratic behavior;
- Cluster C: Tense or anxious behavior.
Cluster A
- Paranoid: There is persistent and unfounded distrust in people, aloofness, strong reactions to minor things that may have only been intended as a joke.
- Schizoid: There is aloofness and little range of emotional expression, indifferent to criticism or compliments.
- Schizotypal: There is social isolation, deviant behavior, and unusual views. It is also considered a mild form of schizophrenia.
Cluster B
- Antisocial: There is antisocial and impulsive behavior, disregard for social norms, a lot of lying and cheating. There is little sense of remorse or guilt, and empathy is (almost) completely absent.
- Borderline: There is low self-esteem, a strong tendency towards prejudice and a lot of black and white (all or nothing) thinking. Self-mutilation (self-harming behavior) and manipulation also often occur.
- Theatrical: Early adulthood with exaggerated emotional expressions. The person likes to be the center of attention.
- Narcissistic: There is low empathy for others, high self-esteem and self-confidence. There is a high need for admiration.
Cluster C
- Avoidant: There is inhibition and a feeling of inferiority and subordination. A lot of attention is paid to social contact, which can lead to feelings of stress.
- Dependent: There is a strong dependence on other people, in making decisions, in everyday events and the fear of being left alone.
- Obsessive-compulsive: There is rigidity, strict adherence to rules, perfectionism and strong orderliness. However, ritual actions are usually not performed, as in obsessive-compulsive disorder (this is an anxiety disorder, not a personality disorder).
In addition to the personality disorder mentioned above, there is also the Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDNOS), which is a diagnosis for individuals whose traits do not exactly correspond to a personality disorder.