Modern Character Theory
Since the rise of psychology as a science in the late 19th century, psychologists have devoted their efforts to understanding the complex workings of the human mind, and how they affect individual behaviour and personality. One of the areas of study that has been a focus is character theory, which explores the fundamental aspects of personalities and how they impact behaviour. Contemporary character theory attempts to provide insight into how the traits and dispositions of individuals are formed and maintained.
Character theory is built on the belief that personality is composed of a variety of independent dimensions, defining traits or characteristics which shape behaviour and derive from a combination of biology and experience. Some theorists propose that personality is organized hierarchically, with higher-order traits such as impulsivity, conscientiousness and stability constructs derived from a lower-order of components such as temperaments, reactions, emotions and values. These character traits are believed to be enduring, instrumental to the development of behaviour, and highly influential across various social contexts over time.
Although there is considerable debate over the exact number and nature of these character traits, three core elements of personality are universally agreed upon: an individual’s ability to learn, to act in an appropriate manner, and to become emotionally invested in activities and relationships. These are the essential foundations of character, and so form the basis of contemporary character theory.
In an effort to discover how characters are formed and maintained, theorists have studied the different aspects of personality trait formation and development. According to contemporary character theory, the components of personality are largely shaped through the interaction between nature and nurture, which is seen to be stable and enduring over time. Nature refers to hereditary or instinctive behaviours, which are determined by genetically inherited traits, while nurture encompasses social and environmental influences, such as parental influence, education, and culture.
The contribution of both nature and nurture to the development of an individual’s character is a topic of ongoing debate amongst psychologists and so the exact balance between these two elements remains unclear. However, there is a general consensus that the environment has the power to profoundly shape a person’s behaviour and responses, while genes hold exclusive influence over temperament and disposition.
In addition, contemporary character theory postulates that certain personality traits are more easily acquired and maintained than others. This is known as ‘temperamental bias’ – the notion that certain character traits are more likely to be expressed under particular conditions than others. Some theorists have proposed that those with higher levels of responsiveness and curiosity towards new experiences, for example, are more likely to acquire and maintain particular character traits than individuals with lower levels of curiosity or creativity.
More recently, various psychological models have emerged that provide a framework for understanding the way in which individual character traits can be explained. In particular, the conceptualization of ‘character strength’ has been of great interest to researchers, prompting further investigation into the idea that characters can be honed and developed over time through intentional efforts and experiences. That is, by engaging in physical, educational and interpersonal activities and challenges, individuals can cultivate the traits and dispositions that make up their character, leading to meaningful and positive behavioural changes.
In conclusion, contemporary character theory offers valuable insights into the essential elements that shape an individual’s character and how they may be formed and maintained into adulthood. The ongoing debate around the role of nature, nurture and temperamental bias in the development of character highlights the importance of considering the multifaceted components of personality when attempting to understand human behaviour. With further research and advancements in the field, character theory will no doubt continue to uncover valuable lessons and provide invaluable insight into the complex dynamics of personality.
