It is beneficial, somewhat necessary, for every individual to be aware of their personality and character traits. Because these help to shape the overall behavior of a person.

The world we live in today is fast-paced, very different from how things were a decade ago. We have access to every information, can reach as many people across the globe with a click of a button, and humongous possibilities minutes away, thanks to technical advancements. Amidst all these, it becomes very difficult for an individual to be decisive without the proper idea of one’s proclivity.

Every human is unique, and it is essential to understand what makes us, us. Self-discovery helps us understand our strengths and weaknesses which further helps us make better choices and live a life of complete satisfaction.

Personality and Character Defined:

We often use both the terms to define or point out another individual’s behavior. Though they are closely related, personality and character are very different.

Personality is the overall outlook of a person, something that is visible in plain sight. We look at someone and say ‘he’s funny’ or ‘she’s shy’… These are personalities, something very easy to decipher in a couple of meetings.

Character, however, is deep within and has layers. Like honesty, can you possibly call a person ‘honest’ after the first-day encounter? No.

Character includes certain traits deeply set in an individual and is revealed only in specific moments.

Personality is very rigid, less likely to evolve. Character though is flexible because it is shaped by circumstances we face in life and the beliefs we carry with us. Situations evolve, each day newer experiences are added which reshapes the character. Thus, the term ‘character is flexible’.

Some character traits contribute to positive well-being and boost mental strength.

What is mental toughness to stay strong in any situation

1. Mentally strong people do not feel insecure or less confident in their lives. However, they remain fully aware of situations and opt for improvement.
2. Practicing self-control of emotions rather than letting somebody else to manipulate adds to the strength.
3. The ability to embrace change happily and letting go of rigidity.
4. Accepting the fact that pleasing everyone with one’s actions is inefficacious. Your decisions/actions must be fair but not meant to make everyone happy.
5. Dwelling in the past is not a healthy move. One must only learn from the past but focus on the present and look forward to the future.
6. Mentally strong people are not jealous but appreciate others equally.
7. Accepting this as well, that one must create opportunities out of abilities. The world does not owe anything to anyone.
8. Be it good, bad, or ugly, change in one’s character takes time. Mentally strong people understand this process and are patient.

Type and Trait Assessment: OCEAN, MBTI, and PEN model

There are several personality tests available on the web to choose from. However, stark classification among people is not possible, because we all are a mixture of various characters. These assessments help determine a person’s overall behavior based on choices made.

Some of the most popular personality assessments tools widely used are:

1. OCEAN – the Big Five.

2. MBTI – Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

3. PEN Model.

OCEAN:

OCEAN is the acronym for Openness – Conscientiousness – Extroversion – Agreeableness – Neuroticism. This personality test is comprehensive and analyzes individuals based on these five traits.

Openness stands for a person’s inclination towards new experiences. The more the openness score, the more creative the individual is considered, and lower scores are considered conventional and methodical.

Conscientiousness analyzes a person’s quality of being organized. High scores determine reliable, responsible, and disciplined behavior. These individuals are less likely to get distracted.

Extroversion determines the cheerful and social nature of a person. High scorers are communicative and pursue their goals actively. Low scorers are introverted and obedient under authority.

Agreeableness indicates a person’s interaction with other people. High scores determine warm and friendly nature and low scorers tend to be more egoistic or shy.

Neuroticism demonstrates emotional stability and being prone to anxiety and mood swings. A high score indicates an insecure personality, whereas low scorers are calm and confident.

The pros of this assessment tool are it does not divide individuals into exact personality profiles. Rather, it provides a degree of each of the traits prevalent in a person.

MBTI – Myers-Briggs Type Indicator:

Standing as the most popular personality assessment tool, MBTI was created during World War II for helping women adapt easily into the workforce. Two housewives, Isabel Briggs Myers and Katharine Cook Briggs, inspired by Carl Jung’s works, worked on this innovative approach. Their personalities were assessed whether they were strong enough to take up challenges in the armed forces.

Though the tool is not 100% accurate, 89 out of 100 companies utilize it while hiring employees.

The assessment is divided into four psychological paradigms –

1. Extroversion/Introversion: for examining attitudes

Extroverts tend to more active with the presence of external spur; they draw energy from interactions.

Introverts exhaust their energy through interactions and sought for alone time to recharge. They reflect upon these interactions to gain a better understanding.

2. Sensing/Intuition: to study responsiveness towards information

Some individuals prefer sensing and tend to focus on reality, facts, and details they decipher with their senses.

Individuals inclined to intuition focus on the pattern to deduce the outcome. They rely on abstract theories and imagining possibilities.

3. Thinking/Feeling: to study decision-making

Thinkers prefer emphasizing rational data to come to conclusions.

Feelers are more often driven by emotions and aim at conclusions with a sense of harmony and consensus.

4. Judging/Perceiving: to study interaction with the world

People who judge, focus on feelings to structure decisions, whereas, perceivers are more flexible and focus on intuition.

This assessment helps individuals recognize their strengths and gives them the ability to involve in meaningful events.

PEN Model:

This was developed in 1975 by Hans and Sybil Eysenck to evaluate biological factors that influence our personalities. Three traits are examined by this model – psychoticism, extroversion, and neuroticism.

1. People with antagonistic, inconsiderate, and tough-minded behavior scored high in psychoticism.
2. People with high scores in extroversion are gregarious. 
3. High levels of neuroticism determine the inclination to anxiety and depression.

The PEN model measures the above traits and categorizes individuals into the following four quadrants:

1. Stable extrovert: talkative, easygoing with leadership qualities.
2. Unstable extrovert: restless and irresponsible.
3. Stable introvert: calm, thoughtful, and reliable.
4. Unstable introvert: pessimistic, moody, and anxious.

Though the test fails to predict behavioral outcomes, it makes it easy for the individual to understand themselves.

The test gives everyone the power to dig deeper into their inherent characteristics and identify both positive and negative traits.

Some character traits contribute to positive well-being and boost mental strength.

What is mental toughness to stay strong in any situation?

1. Mentally strong people do not feel insecure or less confident in their lives. However, they remain fully aware of situations and opt for improvement.
2. Practicing self-control of emotions rather than letting somebody else manipulate adds to the strength.
3. The ability to embrace change happily and letting go of rigidity.
4. Accepting the fact that pleasing everyone with one’s actions is inefficacious. Your decisions/actions must be fair but not meant to make everyone happy.
5. Dwelling in the past is not a healthy move. One must only learn from the past but focus on the present and look forward to the future.
6. Mentally strong people are not jealous but appreciate others equally.
7. Accepting this as well, that one must create opportunities out of abilities. The world does not owe anything to anyone.
8. Be it good, bad, or ugly, change in one’s character takes time. Mentally strong people understand this process and are patient.

The Ending Note:

Personality traits travel in the family, while character slowly builds up to form and reform in a lifetime. Expanding knowledge about one’s character is vital to building your mental strength which helps in negotiating varied types of thoughts and actions during any situation. Every child and adult must be open to these tools to align themselves to self-growth. Determine your personality traits with the Career Aptitude Test, which is a scientific online test build with certified psychologists.