What is the definition of personality in psychological terms?

Personality in psychological terms is best defined as distinctive patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior. This definition encompasses the various elements that make up an individual's personality, highlighting that it is not merely about what can be seen externally but includes the internal patterns that influence how a person thinks, feels, and acts across different situations.

This understanding of personality recognizes that it is a complex and dynamic interplay of a person's characteristic ways of responding to the world, which are relatively stable over time and consistent across a variety of contexts. The focus on distinctive patterns also emphasizes individual differences, acknowledging that while people may share certain traits, each person has their unique combination that shapes their overall personality.

The other definitions tend to focus too narrowly on specific components or aspects of personality. Observable behaviors and reactions, for instance, refer solely to what can be seen on the surface, failing to capture the underlying cognitive and emotional patterns that define a person's personality. Internal processes of the mind might refer to thoughts and feelings, but without the behavior component, it does not provide a full picture of personality. Lastly, situational responses to external stimuli also do not encapsulate the deeper, more stable traits that characterize an individual’s personality, as they often reflect temporary reactions rather than the enduring characteristics that define