I. INTRODUCTION: IF EVERYONE WERE THE SAME, THE WORLD WOULD FALL SILENT
Look at your life: some people are constantly in motion, while others are calm and reflective. Some walk into a room and start talking to everyone, while others stand back and observe. Some plan, some go with the flow.
Where do these differences come from? Why do people react so differently to the same event?
The answer lies in the concept of personality.
II. WHAT IS PERSONALITY?
In psychology, personality is the set of internal traits that define a person’s way of thinking, feeling, behaving, and reacting. Personality is stable, but not entirely unchangeable. It is shaped by genetics, environment, upbringing, and experiences.
In short:
Personality is you.
It’s how you perceive, feel, and react to the world.
III. HISTORICAL VIEW: FROM ANTIQUITY TO MODERN SCIENCE
Hippocrates’ theory of four temperaments:
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Sanguine – lively, social, optimistic
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Choleric – energetic, aggressive, leader-like
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Melancholic – emotional, deep thinker
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Phlegmatic – calm, patient, composed
Though ancient, this theory laid the groundwork for many modern classifications.
IV. MBTI – THE 16 PERSONALITY TYPES SYSTEM
The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a popular model that describes how people perceive information, make decisions, and interact with the world. It is based on four dichotomies:
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Extraverted (E) – Introverted (I)
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Sensing (S) – Intuition (N)
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Feeling (F) – Thinking (T)
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Judging (J) – Perceiving (P)
These combinations create 16 personality types:
e.g. INFJ, ESTP, INTP, ESFJ, etc.
Examples:
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INTJ – Strategic, analytical, natural leaders
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ENFP – Inspiring, creative, adaptable
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ISTJ – Responsible, rule-following, reliable
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ESFP – Energetic, social, spontaneous
While MBTI is widely used in popular psychology, some scholars critique its scientific basis. Nevertheless, it remains a helpful tool for self-awareness.
V. THE BIG FIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS THEORY
The most accepted model in modern psychology. It evaluates individuals across five key dimensions:
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Openness (to experience)
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Conscientiousness
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Extraversion
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Agreeableness
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Neuroticism
Applications:
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High neuroticism → emotional instability
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High openness → creativity, openness to new ideas
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High conscientiousness → planning, reliability
VI. EXTRAVERTS AND INTROVERTS – DIFFERENT VIEWS
This contrast is one of the most basic tools for identifying personality:
| Trait | Extravert | Introvert |
|---|---|---|
| Energy source | External world | Inner world |
| Comfort zone | Around people | Being alone |
| Speaking style | Talks before thinking | Thinks before speaking |
| Social need | High | Low to moderate |
| Preferred activity | Teamwork | Individual work |
Note: No one is a pure extravert or introvert. Most people are ambiverts, blending both qualities.
VII. ENNEAGRAM – 9 TYPES, 9 TRUTHS
The Enneagram system is a personality model based on core motivations.
| Type | Name | Core Fear | Core Desire |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perfectionist | Being wrong | To be right and ethical |
| 2 | Helper | Being unloved | To be loved |
| 3 | Achiever | Being worthless | To succeed |
| 4 | Individualist | Being ordinary | To be unique |
| 5 | Observer | Being helpless | To understand and know |
| 6 | Loyalist | Being unsafe | To feel secure |
| 7 | Adventurer | Pain or boredom | Freedom and fun |
| 8 | Leader | Being controlled | Power and independence |
| 9 | Peacemaker | Conflict | Peace and harmony |
This model helps clarify why people behave differently and how they change under stress.
VIII. GENETICS AND PERSONALITY
Our genetic code determines the foundation of personality.
Twin studies show:
40–60% of personality is inherited.
The rest develops through environment and experience.
IX. THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENT: WHO SHAPES US?
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Parental influence: Critical parents → insecure personality
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School: Harsh teachers → shy behavior
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Trauma: Sudden losses, abuse → trust issues
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Culture: Open societies → better self-expression
X. WHY DO WE REACT DIFFERENTLY?
People respond to the same event in very different ways:
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An introvert becomes silent and afraid
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An extravert talks and opens up
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A neurotic person panics
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A person with high openness sees it as an opportunity
These different reactions shape our lifestyle, decisions, and relationships.
XI. THE ROLE OF PERSONALITY IN RELATIONSHIPS
In love:
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Two extraverts: fun, but possibly conflict
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Two introverts: calm, deep connection
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Extravert + introvert: balance, but needs mutual understanding
In family:
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If a child’s personality isn’t recognized, they get the message: “You are wrong the way you are.”
At work:
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Analytical types solve details
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Social types build teams
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Leader types manage others
If the role doesn’t fit the personality, burnout happens quickly.
XII. CONCLUSION: DIFFERENCE SHOULD BRING ACCEPTANCE, NOT FEAR
People are different. And this difference is not a weakness — it is the richness of culture and life.
A person who understands their own personality:
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Suffers less
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Builds better relationships
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Accepts themselves and others as they are
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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Do you believe knowing your personality type could change your life?
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What personality type do you identify with?
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Is it hard for you to accept someone who is different from you?
? Share your thoughts — maybe your insight will help someone else see themselves more clearly.