Whether you’re looking to embark upon a career in personality psychology or are simply interested as to what it is and how its study can be used in society, our guide has all the information you need. 

What is personality psychology? 

Firstly, a definition of personality psychology. Personality psychology is one of the largest and most popular areas of psychology, involving the study of how individual personalities develop and how mental processes affect the way we function. 
 
Personality Psychologists are interested in the differences in patterns of emotions, thought patterns and behaviour. Their studies explore the ways in which individuals differ from each another in terms of their personality traits, motivations and cognitive processes. 

What are the main theories of personality psychology? 

There are five main theories of personality psychology; biological theories, behavioural theories, psychodynamic theories, humanist theories, and trait theories.  

Biological theories 

These theories focus on the role of brain structure, genetics and physiological factors in shaping personality and behaviours.

Behavioural theories

These theories highlight the impact of environment, external stimuli and learned behaviour on personality, suggesting that personality is shaped through conditioning, reinforcement and punishment.

Psychodynamic theories

Rooted in Freudian and post-Freudian theory, psychodynamic theories suggest that early life experiences shape our adult behaviours. These theories delve into the unconscious mind and examine how childhood experience impact later life.

Humanist theories

Focusing on the inherent desire self-development and personal growth, humanist theories highlight subjective encounters, the autonomy of choice and the significance of satisfying psychological needs to achieve a defined personality.

Trait theories 

This area of study suggests that people have certain basic traits throughout their lives and it is the strength and intensity of those traits that account for personality similarities and differences. 

Why is personality psychology important?  

Personality psychology is an important branch of psychology because understanding personalities contributes to our overall understanding of human behaviour, individual differences, and the complexity of human nature. 
 
Understanding personality similarities and differences also allows psychologists to predict how people will respond to certain situations. This is invaluable in fields such as clinical psychology or counselling, where predicting and explaining behaviour and responses is crucial.

How is personality psychology used in society? 

Here are some examples of personality psychology being used in society: 

• Education: Recognising individual personality traits and learning styles can aid the tailoring of teaching methods. 

• Cross-cultural understanding: Addressing various cross-cultural influences on personality and promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity in society. 

• Legal situations: Analysing personality traits and behaviours in legal situations, such as criminal profiling, can inform sentences and rehabilitation strategies best suited to the individual. 

• Health and wellness: Analysing links between certain health behaviours and personality traits can aid the development of disease prevention and health promotion. 
  

What will you learn about personality psychology with an MSc Psychology? 

Within this module, you’ll become familiar with major classical theories on the development and nature of individual differences, using personality as an example. As well as this, you’ll discuss theories to contemporary research, and explore theoretical issues in intelligence and personality assessment, along with the practical application of psychometric tests. 

As a graduate, you’ll be equipped with a holistic understanding of how to navigate this complex, nuanced field, and possess the transferrable skills you’ll need to land a job in any psychology specialism. The course is part-time and 100% online, meaning you can work at your own pace and around your existing commitments.