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Introduction to Personality Lillian Tracey Hayes PSY/405 April 26, 2014 Les Binnix Introduction to Personality The concept of personality is not easy to define. Researchers give examples or perceptions to define the personality; however, there are different theories that explain personality. Personality is what makes each person unique and individual and each person has different patterns of behavior, attitudes, and traits that combined are personality. There are biological and environmental aspects of life the shape the development of personality and differing perceptions of experiences contribute to differences between people. There are many different theories and views of personality; however, regardless of the differing viewpoints it agrees that personality is unique and no two individuals are the same (Feist & Feist, 2009). Defining Personality The ancient Roman actors wore masks known as personas in the Greek dramas and it is believed that the term personality is derived from the Latin word persona. The theatrical masks or personas were used to project the character to the audience; however, personality is far more than a public role or character. The persona used in the Greek dramas was a surface appliance that an actor could easily change, but personality is much deeper and complex than a mask for public review. In psychological terms, personality is a complex model of traits and characteristics that are responsible for an individual’s behavior. Traits are intrinsic, uniform, and unvarying qualities; however, characteristics change over time. Characteristics can change as individuals grow and experience life and intelligence and temperament are influenced by an individual's characteristics. Personality is an individual ... ... middle of paper ... ...onship between the ideal, real, or perceived self (Pettijohn, n.d.). Abraham Manslow, a humanist, developed a hierarchy of needs focused on the study of healthy people and development. Manslow’s theory focused on the development of an individual according to the needs that must be met. An individual has lower level and upper level needs that must be met at each level before the next level is reached on the way to self-actualization; however, if the person does not meet the needs anxiety occurs. The needs must be addressed in a practical manner for self-actualization to be achieved. The humanistic view of personality is based on the belief that an accurate observation of self and the ability reach needs in different stages of development result in self-actualization (Pettijohn, n.d.). Behaviorist Theory The behaviorist theory states an individual’s personality result