Character

Character (psychology)

Character refers to the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. In psychology, it is considered as a set of qualities that makes a person distinct from others. The concept of character can imply a variety of attributes including the existence or lack of virtues such as empathy, courage, fortitude, honesty, and loyalty, or of good behaviors or habits.

Definition

The word "character" is derived from the Ancient Greek word "charaktêr", which was originally used to describe a mark impressed upon a coin. Later it came to mean a point by which one thing was told apart from others. In this sense, a character is a sort of unique aspect of a person, whether it is a quality, a trait, or a complex of mental and moral qualities that distinguishes an individual.

Character and Personality

Character is often used interchangeably with personality. However, they are not the same. Personality is a set of personal qualities, whereas character is evaluated more by a person's ethical and moral strength. It can be seen as a sum of his or her moral and ethical choices, and the actions that follow from them.

Character Traits

Character traits are all the aspects of a person's behavior and attitudes that make up that person's personality. Everyone has character traits, both good and bad. Character traits are often categorized as either positive or negative, although certain traits may be viewed as either depending on the situation.

Character Development

Character development is the process of building a unique, complex character through the integration of a variety of influences and experiences. This process is often a focus in both psychology and literature.

Character in Psychology

In psychology, character is considered a part of the psyche that includes the individual's moral and ethical attitudes and actions. It is often viewed as an outcome of developmental processes, with a strong influence from socialization.

See Also

• Personality psychology
• Trait theory
• Personality development
• Moral character

Character Resources
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