Personality traits are the distinguishing qualities of a person. They’re what we outwardly observe when interacting with someone. Often, the terms “personality traits” and “character traits” are used interchangeably, and you may be wondering if there’s much of a difference between the two. The simple answer is yes, there is.
You could say personality traits manifest on the outside, while character traits are developed on the inside. A personality trait would then be something easily observed, so words that describe personality traits could be “outgoing” or “sociable,” for example.
A character trait is something more deep-seated and cultivated. So, it might be within someone’s character to always stay true to their word, as that’s how their parents raised them.
In a nutshell, someone’s character aligns with their core values, while someone’s personality is what we observe in our interactions with them.
Let’s take a closer look at personality types and words that describe personality traits. The next time you observe someone, you’ll be able to more accurately assess their outward personality.