Personality refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. The study of personality focuses on two broad areas: One is understanding individual differences in particular personality characteristics, such as sociability or irritability. The other is understanding how the various parts of a person come together as a whole.

Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology

Understanding Personality Disorders

• What causes personality disorders?

Research suggests that genetics, abuse and other factors contribute to the development of obsessive-compulsive, narcissistic or other personality disorders.

• Ten Turtles on Tuesday

This is the story of an 11 year old girl with obsessive–compulsive disorder. She is confused, embarrassed, and frustrated by her counting rituals; eventually she talks to her mom and they seek help.

• Mixing oil and water

Psychologists often find that opposites attract in couples with personality disorders.

• Research Debunks Commonly Held Belief About Narcissism

Overuse of “I” and “me” not associated with pathology, study finds

• Recognizing the signs of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia can cause hallucinations, delusions and unusual behaviors, as well as cognitive challenges, such as problems with memory, attention and concentration.

Getting Help

• Help for personality disorders

Research suggests that dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy can help people with one of the most common disorders.

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Personality Traits

• Which traits predict job performance?
  For years, psychologists turned to cognitive ability as a predictor of job performance. Smarter people were considered more likely to succeed on the job. But intelligence is only part of the story.
• What you need to know about willpower
  The psychological science of self-control.
• New study throws into doubt the universality of the ‘Big Five’  
  The finding that people’s personalities can be described by variations across five basic dimensions is thrown into question by new research with a small South American tribe.
• Is personality the key to successful aging?   
  How outgoing and reliable you are may be just as important to how well you age as your exercise and eating habits.
• Personality may be key risk factor in preventive health care
  Conscientious young adults enjoy better health as they age, research finds.
• A presidential personality
  Intelligence and achievement-striving, but not straightforwardness, may predict a president’s effectiveness.