Personality Versus Character

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Psychology Today August 3, 2011, from Alex Lickerman M.D. Happiness in this World

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'Personality vs. Character: The key to discerning personality from character is time'

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'WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Personality is easy to read, and we're all experts at it. We judge people funny, extroverted, energetic, optimistic, confident—as well as overly serious, lazy, negative, and shy—if not upon first meeting them, then shortly thereafter. And though we may need more than one interaction to confirm the presence of these sorts of traits, by the time we decide they are, in fact, present we've usually amassed enough data to justify our conclusions.

Character, on the other hand, takes far longer to puzzle out. It includes traits that reveal themselves only in specific—and often uncommon—circumstances, traits like honesty, virtue, and kindliness. Ironically, research has shown that personality traits are determined largely by heredity and are mostly immutable. The arguably more important traits of character, on the other hand, are more malleable—though, we should note, not without great effort.

Character traits, as opposed to personality traits, are based on beliefs (e.g., that honesty and treating others well is important—or not), and though beliefs can be changed, it's far harder than most realize.'

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'WHY DOES IT MATTER?

The problem in forming judgments about a person's suitability for important roles in our lives (employee, friend, lover, spouse) is that we all have an uncanny predilection for observing attractive personality traits and manufacturing out of them the presence of positive character traits (that is, if someone is outgoing, confident, and fun we're more likely to think they're honest, moral, and kind). But it's far from clear that the one kind tracks with the other. In fact, as I recounted in Listening To Your Inner Voice (link is external), that assumption often gets us into trouble.

We unconsciously tend to connect personality to character for two main reasons: we want to like people we already like, and the most reliable way to assess a person's character is laborious and time consuming.'

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Briefly for the purposes of this blog post:

The Nelson's text in the Introduction provides a 'Character Study' and states 'many truths about standards of conduct'. (xiii).

Standards of conduct of those mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament being very important in the overall evaluation of human beings.

However, the word 'character' in itself may not always used theologically in English Bible translations. Concepts of human character are Scripturally important although described with various terms as can be seen documented in the differences between the New American Standard Bible (NASB) and King James Version (KJV) translations in the example below. English Bible versions being translations of New Testament Greek manuscripts, complete or fragmented.

Romans 5:3-5

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

3 And not only this, but [a]we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

King James Version (KJV)

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

In my view, Biblical concepts of human personality are less important in evaluating persons than are concepts connected to human character and standards of human conduct. I would grant that aspects of personality could be considered within the human character, but the overall character of a person and the standards of conduct are more important than his/her personality.

Indeed, the overall human nature of a person needs to be evaluated and considered, with only God having infinite knowledge of any person.

Sin nature and sinful human nature (the second term noted to me and preferred from Dr. William Kay, Bangor University) are theological concepts very much emphasized within Reformed theology.

The Nelson's text providing word study entries:

There is no entry for 'personality' in the Nelson's text, although the Scripture documents in regard to 'person', as in human being and individual. (521).

The somewhat more academic text, 'Strong's Concordance' has entries for 'person' and 'persons.' (1057), but none for personality.  It also does not document the word 'character'.

Thiessen opines it is an erroneous understanding to suppose that Biblically 'there is little or no connection between a man's beliefs and his character.' (29).

'Personality Versus Character' as a theological and philosophical topic, has in particular interested me the last few years. In our present age in private and public contexts, many persons appear to place more importance on human personality than in human character.

In the Western world, politicians with style over substance seem more likely to become elected.

Pop culture stars often become more famous through the use of style and less so by presenting significant and substantial artistic work to society.

Many of the secular relationship 'coaches' and 'mentors' and even some Christian ones, present the case that one should be the 'alpha' and 'type a' person, and yet this clearly places more emphasis on human personality than human character and this approach would not be consistent within a Biblical worldview.

I have completed online psychology personality tests in private and employment contexts and I usually score approximately fifty percent 'alpha' and 'type a' person, the extrovert and about fifty percent 'introvert'.

I would cautiously state that the extreme 'alpha' and extroverted personality examples provided by these psychological tests, based on associated acts and actions would risk presenting a person not of positive Biblical character.

Extreme personality traits extroverted and introverted would risk demonstrating negative character.

An example of the extreme 'alpha' extrovert would be asserting one's will on other persons in a dominating manner with little or no consideration for others and yet the Scripture documents:

Philippians 2:3

English Standard Version (ESV)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves;

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves,

MARSHALL, ALFRED (1975)(1996) The Interlinear KJV-NIV, Grand Rapids, Zondervan. 

NELSON'S THREE-IN-ONE BIBLE REFERENCE COMPANION,(1982), Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Pickering, Ontario, Welch Publishing Company.

THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.