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FULL OF KNOWLEDGE BLOG ONSEN® / About Health

What shapes personality? Discover the secrets of character!

30 września 2025
Contents
Biology and genetics
Family and upbringing
Peers and education
Culture and society
Life experiences
Psychology and personality theories
Personal development and personality change
A complex infinite game
It is the mysterious personality that remains one of the most important and complex concepts in psychology. For centuries, researchers have been trying to grasp the essence of personality, while people in everyday life wonder why some are more outgoing and others more reserved. Or why some react calmly while others are impulsive. It is personality that makes each of us unique and unrepeatable, yet predictable in certain situations.

Understanding what shapes personality has great practical value. It allows us to better understand ourselves, and in doing so predict our own reactions to communicate more effectively with others. Solid knowledge about personality is also useful in therapy, education, or the workplace, as it helps to better match the environment and style of action to the individual’s needs.

Mateusz Nesterok emphasizes that personality is not a fixed trait, but a dynamic structure that changes over time. Although the foundations of personality are formed in early childhood, life experiences and conscious self-development can significantly influence its evolution. This means that human personality is a combination of biology, environment, and choices.

Biology and genetics

One of the key factors shaping personality is biological predisposition. From the moment we're born, we carry within us temperamental traits that stem from how our nervous system functions. This is why some babies are naturally calm, while others respond with intense crying.

Genetic studies, particularly identical twin analyses, show us that many personality traits – such as extraversion, openness to experience, or neuroticism – have a clear hereditary component. However, genes are not a verdict. As Mateusz Nesterok points out, genetics provides the map, but it doesn’t choose the path. The final shape of personality depends on the interaction between biological inheritance and environmental experiences, which aligns with the biopsychosocial perspective.

In addition to genes, brain chemistry plays an important role in shaping our behavior. Hormones and neurotransmitters influence our mood, ability to concentrate, and motivation – and even our tendency toward risk-taking. For example, a low level of serotonin is often linked to susceptibility to depression, while a high level of dopamine is associated with impulsiveness. Biology lays the foundation, but it is on this base that the full structure of personality is built – and this continues throughout life.

Family and upbringing

The first environment in which a child’s personality develops is their family. It is there that the first emotional and cognitive patterns are formed, which influence later years. This is why relationships with parents and caregivers are so important – they can either strengthen a sense of security or, on the contrary, create fear and distrust toward the world.

John Bowlby’s attachment theory shows that early emotional bonds fundamentally shape how we form relationships in adulthood. Children who experience a secure attachment are more likely to grow into trusting, emotionally stable individuals capable of forming close relationships. In contrast, experiencing a lack of stability in childhood can lead to anxious or avoidant attachment styles.

Nesterok notes that parenting is not about rules and regulations, but about emotional climate. Warmth, patience, and acceptance strengthen a child's self-worth and ultimately teach them healthy emotional regulation. On the other hand, criticism, lack of attention, or excessive demands can instill fear and a sense of inadequacy. This highlights how powerful the influence of family is on personality development, often shaping the course of adult life.

Peers and education

While the family provides the foundation, it is mainly peers and school that play a key role in the further shaping of personality. Most of us learn competition, cooperation, and negotiation within peer groups. Every experience – from first friendships to conflicts – becomes a lesson for the personality, enriching our character.

At the same time, the entire educational environment introduces children to the world of social and intellectual rules. Teachers, mentors, and school authorities offer new perspectives, theoretically fostering a sense of duty and responsibility. Well-designed education supports openness to the world and critical thinking, which in turn contributes to personality development.

Psychologist Mateusz Nesterok points out that the peer group can be an even stronger influence than the family, especially during adolescence. It is within this group that a young person seeks acceptance, learns social roles, and experiments with identity. Peers become a personality mirror in which one’s self-image is formed.

Culture and society

Let us remember, however, that personality does not develop in a vacuum but is immersed in culture and society. Accordingly, norms, traditions, and cultural values also influence how we perceive ourselves and others. In individualistic societies, independence is valued, while in collectivist ones, loyalty to the group is emphasized.

Culture also determines which personality traits are rewarded and which are discouraged. For instance, some cultures value extraversion and openness, while others prize modesty and restraint. Thus, personality is not only an individual construct but also a reflection of social values that we internalize from childhood.

As Nesterok notes, globalization means that modern personalities are shaped at the intersection of multiple cultures. Social media and the internet create communities where young people build their identity, often in defiance of traditional norms. This is evidence that personality in the 21st century is undergoing dynamic and global transformations, marking a significant shift.

Life experiences

Every person goes through life experiences that permanently change their personality. Events such as the loss of a loved one, the birth of a child, or a job promotion can influence personality development. These events often become turning points that reshape one’s view of the world and of oneself.

It is important to note that cognitive psychology emphasizes the importance not of the event itself, but of how it is interpreted. Two people may experience the same situation, yet their reactions and conclusions can differ entirely. One may develop greater mental resilience, while the other becomes more prone to anxiety.

Mateusz Nesterok points out that life experiences act like catalysts, accelerating the development of some traits while weakening others. Personality evolves in step with a person’s life story – the more varied the experiences, the richer and more complex the character becomes.

Psychology and personality theories

To understand personality, psychology has developed numerous models and theories. One of the most well-known is the Big Five theory, which describes personality using five dimensions – openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism – each representing a spectrum.

Other theories, such as Freud's psychoanalysis, emphasize the role of the unconscious and internal conflicts, while the humanistic theories of Rogers and Maslow highlight the pursuit of self-actualization. Each model offers a different perspective on personality, contributing to a rich and comprehensive picture.

Mateusz Nesterok points out that personality theories do not exclude one another, but rather complement each other. Thanks to these frameworks, psychology can not only diagnose traits but also suggest paths for self-improvement. Understanding one’s personality profile becomes the starting point for personal growth.

Personal development and personality change

Although many elements of personality are relatively stable, every person has the ability to work on themselves. It is possible to change ingrained mental and emotional patterns through coaching, therapy, or mindfulness practice.

Personal development is not about becoming someone else, but about making fuller use of one’s potential. As Mateusz Nesterok emphasizes, truly conscious work on personality is a path to greater life satisfaction and better relationships with others.

Helpful tools include mindfulness exercises, as well as assertiveness training and psychoeducation. These help to develop beneficial traits while reducing those that hold us back. As a result, personality becomes more flexible and better suited to the challenges of modern life.

A complex infinite game

Personality is the result of a complex interplay between genetics, family environment, culture, experiences, and self-work. It is said that personality is dynamic, as it changes over time and is never a finished product. This very changeability is what allows people to grow and adapt to new circumstances.

Mateusz Nesterok emphasizes that personality is not a life sentence, but a process. We can understand it, nurture it, and shape it, because everyone holds the potential for growth, and awareness of this fact opens the door to a fuller life.

We also encourage you to explore other articles on the best sleep and health blog, as well as the Encyclopedia of Healthy Sleep prepared by the ONSEN® team of specialists. For those who care about spine health, we recommend a set of spine exercises prepared by our physiotherapist.

FAQ: Personality

What is personality?

As psychologist Mateusz Nesterok explains, personality is a unique set of psychological traits that influences how we think, feel, and act. It develops both on a biological and genetic basis, as well as under the influence of the environment in which we grow up and live.

What are the types of personality?

There are many theories that describe personality. Some focus on dimensions, like the Big Five model, while others distinguish types, such as the popular MBTI test or the classical division into sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic temperaments. Each of these concepts has its limitations, but all attempt to capture the diversity of human character.

What is the most common personality type?

There is no single most common personality type. Depending on the model used, different traits and combinations may be more prevalent in specific cultures or societies.

Is character the same as personality?

Personality is not exactly the same as character. Personality is the overall set of traits that define us, while character mainly refers to values, morality, and the principles we live by. You could say that character is a part of personality.

Can personality be changed?

To some extent, personality can be changed. While its foundations are relatively stable, life experiences, conscious self-development, and therapy can influence how we think, feel, and react. Change doesn?t happen overnight, but it is possible, especially in adulthood when we gain more self-awareness.

Contents
Biology and genetics
Family and upbringing
Peers and education
Culture and society
Life experiences
Psychology and personality theories
Personal development and personality change
A complex infinite game
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