What Is The Difference Between Personality and Character?

Philippines
November 7, 2008 10:56am CST
I can't seem to figure this out. what's the difference? I'm confuse. I look it up at my dictionary and it says: Personality - character, disposition, identity Character - nature, disposition, figure, personage, character reference, statement of abilities and qualities Whew!
1 response
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
7 Nov 08
Personality–noun: 1. the visible aspect of one's character as it impresses others: He has a pleasing personality. 2. a person as an embodiment of a collection of qualities: He is a curious personality. 3. Psychology. a. the sum total of the physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics of an individual. b. the organized pattern of behavioral characteristics of the individual. 4. the quality of being a person; existence as a self-conscious human being; personal identity. 5. the essential character of a person. 6. something apprehended as reflective of or analogous to a distinctive human personality, as the atmosphere of a place or thing: This house has a warm personality. 7. a famous, notable, or prominent person; celebrity. 8. application or reference to a particular person or particular persons, often in disparagement or hostility. 9. a disparaging or offensive statement referring to a particular person: The political debate deteriorated into personalities. Character,–noun: 1. the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing. 2. one such feature or trait; characteristic. 3. moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character. 4. qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity: It takes character to face up to a bully. 5. reputation: a stain on one's character. 6. good repute. 7. an account of the qualities or peculiarities of a person or thing. 8. a person, esp. with reference to behavior or personality: a suspicious character. 9. Informal. an odd, eccentric, or unusual person. 10. a person represented in a drama, story, etc. 11. a part or role, as in a play or film. 12. a symbol as used in a writing system, as a letter of the alphabet. 13. the symbols of a writing system collectively. 14. a significant visual mark or symbol. 15. status or capacity: the character of a justice of the peace. 16. a written statement from an employer concerning the qualities of a former employee. 17. Literature. (esp. in 17th- and 18th-century England) a formal character sketch or descriptive analysis of a particular human virtue or vice as represented in a person or type. Compare character sketch. 18. Genetics. any trait, function, structure, or substance of an organism resulting from the effect of one or more genes as modified by the environment. 19. Computers. a. any symbol, as a number, letter, punctuation mark, etc., that represents data and that, when encoded, is usable by a machine. b. one of a set of basic symbols that singly or in a series of two or more represents data and, when encoded, is usable in a computer. 20. a style of writing or printing. 21. Roman Catholic Theology. the ineffaceable imprint received on the soul through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and ordination. 22. (formerly) a cipher or cipher message. –adjective 23. Theater. a. (of a part or role) representing a personality type, esp. by emphasizing distinctive traits, as language, mannerisms, physical makeup, etc. b. (of an actor or actress) acting or specializing in such roles. –verb (used with object) Archaic. 24. to portray; describe. 25. to engrave; inscribe. —Idioms 26. in character, a. in harmony with one's personal character or disposition: Such behavior is not in character for him. b. in accordance with the role or personality assumed in a performance: an actor in character. 27. out of character, a. out of harmony with one's personal character or disposition: Her remarks were out of character. b. away from the role or personality assumed in a performance: The actor stepped out of character.
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
7 Nov 08
I can see your dilemma. It seems that the words are pretty close and that in different settings one is more suited or accurate than the other. Wish I could be of more help.
• Philippines
11 Nov 08
Hello 1hopefulman! I've read this after I posted it. Sorry that my response came late. I appreciate your response. I'm feeling down today and cannot seem to find any words to suit what I'm feeling. But I want you to know that I am a little comforted seeing that superman avatar. I understand the difference between the two now. thanks a lot.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
11 Nov 08
Hey Sheena! Sorry, you are having a bad day. Let's hope the next one will be better. e read this after I posted it. Sorry that my response came late. I appreciate your response. I'm feeling down today and cannot seem to find any words to suit what I'm feeling. But I want you to know that I am a little comforted seeing that superman avatar.