Intelligence, Personality and Individual Differences

The definition of personality is complex and ever-evolving, but at its core, personality refers
to an individual’s characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Personality is
often thought of as a stable and enduring set of traits, but it is also essential to consider that
personality is dynamic and can change over time. There is no single definition of personality that
is universally agreed upon. Still, several different theories offer different perspectives on what
personality is and how it develops. The various reports and theories suggest that no single,
unified concept of personality exists. Instead, personality is best considered a multi-dimensional
construct that can be described and explained from several perspectives. Garcia et al. (2016) state
different theories emphasize various aspects of personality, and no single approach can capture
the full complexity of the construct. One of the most important things to consider when
evaluating the concept of personality is the role culture plays in shaping the understanding of it.
The development of personality is a complex process that is influenced by many factors.
These factors can be divided into three main categories: biological, social, and psychological.
Biological factors include things like genetics and brain chemistry. These factors are responsible
for things like temperament and physical appearance. According to Kitayama (2017), social
factors include family, friends, and culture. These factors influence stuff like values and beliefs.
Psychological factors include things like intelligence and personality. These factors influence
things like behaviour and thoughts. All of these factors interact with each other to create a unique
individual. No one factor is more important than the others.
Personality Psychology
Personality psychology is the scientific study of the differences in people’s personalities. It
looks at how these differences develop and affect thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. Personality
psychology is a relatively new field, and it is still evolving. However, there are already some
well-established theories and ideas about personality. For example, genes partly determine
personality, which changes as one grows and develops. Environment plays a role in shaping our
personality. There are many different approaches to personality psychology, and researchers
constantly explore new ideas. However, all of these approaches share a common goal: to
understand why people differ in their personalities and to use this knowledge to improve our
lives.

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Theories of Personality
Different theories of personality exist because there is no one definition of personality. Each
theory attempts to explain personality in its way, and each has its strengths and weaknesses.
Kitayama (2017) states the five major theories of personality are the psychodynamic theory, the
behavioural theory, the cognitive theory, the trait theory, and the humanistic theory. The
psychodynamic theory, also known as the Freudian theory, is the oldest personality theory.
Sigmund Freud developed it, emphasizing the unconscious mind’s role in personality. The
psychodynamic theory is based on the idea that people are motivated by unconscious drives and
impulses resulting from past experiences (Kitayama, 2017). The psychodynamic theory has been
criticized for its emphasis on the role of the unconscious mind and its lack of scientific evidence.
Behavioural theory is based on the idea that personality is shaped by learning. John B. Watson
developed this theory, emphasizing the role of environment and learning in personality.
Behavioural theory has been criticized for its lack of emphasis on internal factors and its focus
on observable behaviour. The cognitive theory is based on the idea that cognitive processes
shape personality.
The stability of personality
One of the main arguments for the existence of personality is its stability over time. If
personality did not exist, expectations of people’s behaviour would be much more erratic and
unpredictable. However, Deary et al. (2007) argue research has shown that people’s behaviour is
relatively consistent over time. This stability is known as the “consistency principle”, which is
one of the main ways that personality is measured. The consistency principle states that people
behave the same way in different situations. This means that if someone is outgoing and friendly
in one situation, they are likely to be the same in other situations. This principle has been
supported by research, which found that people’s behaviour is consistent across different
situations. So, why do people’s behaviours seem so consistent if there is no personality? Deary et
al. (2007) note that one possibility is that people learn to behave in certain ways and don’t have
any control over their behaviour. Another possibility is that people’s behaviour is determined by
their genes, and they can’t help how they behave. Whatever the reason, the fact that people’s
behaviour is so consistent suggests that something underlying their behaviour cannot be seen.

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The different ways in which personality can be measured
Roberts & Takahashi (2011) suggests different ways in which personality can be measured,
such as through self-report measures, observer ratings, or physiological measures. Self-report
measures are those in which individuals rate themselves on various personality characteristics.
Observer ratings are those in which others rate the individual on personality characteristics.
Physiological measures are those that measure things like brain activity or hormone levels. Each
method has its strengths and weaknesses, but overall they suggest that personality is a real and
important construct.
The role of personality in human behaviour
Kitayama (2017) states one of the main arguments for the existence of personality is that it
can help to explain human behaviour. Personality can be seen as a set of characteristics
influencing how an individual behaves in different situations. It has been suggested that
personality can help explain why some people are more successful than others and why some
people are more likely to experience certain emotions or behaviours. There is evidence to
suggest that personality does play a role in human behaviour. For example, research has shown
that more extraverted people are more likely to be successful in social situations.
In contrast, introverted people are more likely to be successful in tasks that require concentration
and focus. Personality also appears to play a role in the emotions that people experience. For
example, people who are more neurotic tend to be more prone to anxiety and depression, while
more agreeable people tend to be more likely to experience positive emotions. Overall, the
evidence suggests that personality does play a role in human behaviour. However, it is essential
to note that this is not the only factor influencing behaviour. Other factors, such as intelligence,
motivation and environment, are also likely to be important.
The heritability of personality
There is a lot of debate surrounding the heritability of personality, with some researchers
believing that it is primarily determined by genetic factors and others arguing that the
environment plays a much more significant role. However, according to Roberts & Takahashi
(2011), the evidence suggests that genes at least partially assess personality. For example,
identical twins are more likely to have similar characteristics than non-identical twins, and

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children raised in the same family tend to have more similar personalities than those not. Of
course, it is essential to remember that heritability is not the same as determinism. Just because
personality is heritable does not mean it is unchangeable or powerless to influence it. The
environment and experiences still play a significant role in shaping different personalities, which
should not discount the importance of these factors.
The impact of culture on personality
Culture can have a significant impact on personality. Different cultures place different
emphases on different personality traits. For example, in individualistic cultures, such as those in
Western societies, personality is often seen as relatively stable and independent of external
influences. In collectivist cultures, such as those in many East Asian societies, personality is
often seen as more malleable and influenced by external factors such as family, friends, and
community. Van den Akker et al. (2016) note culture can also influence interaction with others.
In Western cultures, individualism is often emphasized, and people are seen as independent and
autonomous beings. In collectivist cultures, people are often seen as interdependent and
interconnected with others. This can lead to different expectations and behaviours in social
interactions. Overall, culture can have a significant impact on personality. Different cultures
emphasize different personality traits, leading to different perceptions and behaviours.
The usefulness of the concept of personality
Psychologists have debated the usefulness of the concept of personality for many years. Some
psychologists believe that personality is a valuable concept that helps understand and predict
human behaviour. Other psychologists believe that the idea of personality is useless and does not
help understand or predict human behaviour. Van den Akker et al. (2016) note several reasons
the concept of personality might be useful. To begin with, the concept of personality can help
understand why people behave the way they do. Someone’s personality type can predict how
they will behave in certain situations. For example, if someone is a ‘Type A personality,
expectations are that they will be highly competitive, ambitious and driven. Secondly, the
concept of personality can help understand and explain individual differences in behaviour.
People differ in how they behave, and the concept of personality can help explain these
differences. For example, some people are naturally more outgoing and extroverted than others,

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which is often explained in personality. In addition, Deary et al. (2007) state the concept of
personality can help to design more effective interventions and therapies.
The future of personality research
The future of personality research is shrouded in uncertainty. The field of personality
research is currently in flux, with several approaches vying for prominence. This makes it
difficult to predict where the field will be in the future. However, there are a few possible
directions that personality research could take. One possibility is that personality research will
move towards a more holistic approach. This would involve considering all the different factors
contributing to an individual’s personality. This would include factors such as biology,
environment, and psychology (Garcia et al., 2016). This approach would provide a complete
understanding of personality. Another possibility is that personality research will move towards a
more specific focus. This could involve studying particular personality traits or specific groups
of people. This approach would provide a more in-depth understanding of the personality. It is
also possible that personality research will move towards a more practical focus. This would
involve studying personality to develop methods for improving it. This approach would benefit
in several ways, including improving individuals’ well-being and increasing organizations’
effectiveness.

Conclusion

It can be argued that personality is simply a set of characteristics that make up an individual.
However, it is also possible to argue that personality is something that is shaped by our
environment and experiences. However, most psychologists agree that personality comprises
different characteristics that make up an individual’s unique psychological makeup. These
characteristics include things like temperament, attitudes, values, and beliefs. While some of
these things may be innate, others are learned through experience. Personality is constantly
changing and evolving through life, making each of us so interesting and unique. Some believe
that personality is innate, while others believe that it is something that is learned. However, there
is no clear consensus on what personality is. This is because personality is a complex and multi-
dimensional construct. Therefore, it is difficult to define personality in a single sentence.

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References

Deary, I. J., Strand, S., Smith, P., & Fernandes, C. (2007). Intelligence and educational
achievement. Intelligence, 35(1), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2006.02.001
Garcia, D., Rosenberg, P., & Sikström, S. (2016). Personality Descriptions and Personality
Measures. Personality and Individual Differences, 101, 479–480.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.05.143
Kitayama, S. (2017). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology: Attitudes and social
cognition. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 112(3), 357–360.
https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000077
Roberts, B. W., & Takahashi, Y. (2011). Personality Trait Development in Adulthood: Patterns
and Implications. The Japanese Journal of Personality, 20(1), 1–10.
https://doi.org/10.2132/personality.20.1
van den Akker, A. L., Prinzie, P., & Overbeek, G. (2016). Dimensions of Personality Pathology
in Adolescence: Longitudinal Associations With Big Five Personality Dimensions Across
Childhood and Adolescence. Journal of Personality Disorders, 30(2), 211–231.