While personality shows what you are outside or what you are to the world, character reveals what you are inside. As these are directly related to a person’s attitude and behaviour, most people get confused between these two easily.
We all are same in many ways like we all have got the same human body, nature, feelings, mind and so on. But if you observe deeply you will find that every human being has certain different traits and habits that make him/her unique. It is a fact that two persons can never be exactly identical to each other, even if you talk about twins, they also differ more or less in their perception, hobbies, mood, nature, etc.
Take a read of this article in which we’ve simplied the difference between personality and character.
Content: Personality Vs Character
Comparison Chart
| Basis of Comparison | Personality | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Personality refers to the range of distinctive personal qualities and traits of an individual. | A character refers to a set of morals and beliefs that defines how we treat or behave with others and ourselves. |
| Represents | Who we seem to be? | Who we actually are? |
| Traits | Personal and physical | Mental and moral |
| What is it? | It is the identity | It is a learned behavior |
| Nature | Subjective | Objective |
| Expression | Outer appearance and behavior of a person. | Traits of a person that are abstract. |
| Change | May change over time. | Remains same. |
| Validation of Society | Not required | Required |
Definition of Personality
Personality can be defined as a combination of mental behaviour and traits or qualities like thinking pattern, feeling and acting. It is a range of enduring tendencies of an individual to think, feel and behave in a specific manner in diverse situations. It refers to the systematic arrangement of all your dispositions like attitude, thoughts, feelings, emotions, etc.
Definition of Character
By the term character, we mean an enduring and distinguishing mental and moral characteristics in an individual. It is the only factor which determines our reaction or response to the given event or situation. It defines a person’s behaviour pattern, thinking style, controls feelings. It is based on the environment that surrounds us, mental ability, moral principles and similar other factors. It is the most precious thing possessed by a person, evidenced by the limits he/she never crossed.
Key Differences Between Personality and Character
The significant differences between personality and character are discussed in the following points:
- Personality refers to the combination of qualities, attitude and behaviour, that makes a person distinct from others. Character refers to a set of moral and mental qualities and beliefs, that makes a person different from others.
- Personality implies Who we seem to be? On the other hand, the character represents Who we actually are?
- Personality is a set of personal qualities whereas character is a collection of mental and moral characteristics of an individual.
- The personality is the mask or the identity of a person. Conversely, the character is the learned behaviour.
- Personality is subjective, but the character is objective.
- Personality is the outer appearance and behaviour of a person. At the same time, character indicates the traits of a person which are hidden from sight.
- The personality of an individual may change with time. However, the character lasts longer.
- Character requires validation and support of society. In contrast, the personality, does not need validation and support of the society.
Conclusion
After reviewing the above points, it is clear that personality is different from a character in a sense that personality reflects the outer shell, whereas the character, shows the inner self. If you combine your personality and your character, the result will be who you are in reality.
sangita says
If you combine your personality and your character, the result will be who are in reality.
Thank you so much. It’s really helpful to understand difference between personality and character. I was really confused about its.
Phil says
Thank you…so very much for this information.
Just excellent !
Ash says
Character can change if beliefs change. Which then will potentially generate a new personality.
Vina says
Thank you for saying this ! I was rather confused because I read another article that says character can easily change while personality is immutable.
nick says
very very very cool!
loved it!
Alexander says
Thanks for the information, I will use it in class.
Stephen Reddy says
now I understand the difference between personality n character coz most times people don’t know the difference and we end up in a confused state
Thanks God bless
Geraldine says
Love your post! Thank you for putting this out there. I agree with your opinion and I hope more people would come to agree with this as well.
Samuel okweny says
Thanks for the guide
Santosh Pradhan says
Perfectly described.
THANK YOU.