Character and personality: differences and personality types

It is usual to use the terms character Y personality as if they were synonymous words. However, the really true is that both have a certainly similar, but very particular meaning.

It is common to hear many people say that such person has the same character as you, making reference to that person has the same personality, when the reality is that it is a mistake to use both terms as if they were originally synonymous.

What does the term character mean?

The term character is a word that originally derives from the Greek verb kharasso, what does it mean coin or Record.

At that time, this term was used to describe different types of people, by which the peculiar behavior of these was portrayed, and not entirely exemplary.

Not in vain, we must go to the RAE to discover that character it means: set of qualities or circumstances of a thing, a person or a community, which distinguishes them, by their way of being or acting, from the rest.

What does the term personality mean?

However, the term personality is, according to the RAE, the individual difference that constitutes each person and distinguishes it from another, just like him set of characteristics or original qualities that stand out in some people.

Differences between character and personality

Therefore, it does exist differences between personality and character, given that although it is true that the personality has a greater relationship with the individual's own way of being, the character has a more direct relationship with the way the person manifests that personality in the face of others.

We are therefore faced with two terms that can be used together to complement each other almost perfectly, but never use them as if they were synonymous terms.

Basic personality types

If we look for the meaning of the term Enneagram, we find that it is a kind of graph of nine basic personality types, based on eneatipos.

That is to say: nine basic personality types that define us by means of a graphic.

While it is true that his appearance in the current world is due to George Ivanovich Gurdjieff, it is known that the origin of the enneagram is located in the Middle East, with an age of more than 2,500 years.

But, according to the Enneagram, what are the nine basic personality types?

Basic personality types according to the enneagram

  1. The reformer. It is characterized by being rational, idealistic, perfectionist, determined, which maintains some control over situations and their own personality in itself, at the same time that has solid principles.
  2. The helper. He is friendly, effusive, generous, complacent but in a certain sense very possessive.
  3. The winner. It is a personality oriented to success, to triumph, very ambitious, outstanding, adaptable and highly aware of its own image; that is, it fixes a lot on the image it shows outside.
  4. The individualist. It is a very sensitive personality, expressive, reserved, dramatic, although very temperamental.
  5. The investigator. It is a very perceptive personality, innovative, reserved but very isolated.
  6. The loyal. It is a personality very committed to other people as well as to society itself, responsible, nervous, charming but disoriented.
  7. The enthusiast. Although he is a very greedy personality, he is one of the most active, spontaneous and versatile personalities.
  8. The challenger. While it is true that this type of personality is very similar to the winner, rather it is characterized by being dominant, powerful, determined, self-confident.
  9. The peacemaker. It is a modest personality type, friendly, satisfied, and very reassuring.
This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Psychologist. We advise you to consult your trusted Psychologist.

The Four Personality Types and How to Deal with Them (March 2024)