Personality

Personality — it's what makes you, you. But what traits make up a person's personality? Can personality be changed? To keep up with research on personality, check here for the latest news.

Related Topics: The Amazing Human Brain, Human Nature, Gender

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Two women with similar personality traits laughing in conversation.

Personality traits & personality types: What personality type are you?

By Stephanie Pappas, Ben Biggs published

REFERENCE What makes you, you? Psychologists sketch out personality traits using the "Big Five".

A yawning person

Night Owls and Morning Larks, Make Room for 'Afternoon People' and 'Nappers'

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

If you're not a morning person or a night person, but more like a midday person, don't feel left out.

Scientists Study 5 Cases of Pathological Cannibalism. Narcissism Partly Explains Heinous Act.

By Mindy Weisberger published

Cannibalism can be an extreme expression of certain mental disorders.

Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator

How Accurate Is the Myers-Briggs Personality Test?

By Bahar Gholipour published

Can Myers-Briggs Predict Your Personality?

Bouquet of dead roses.

3 Reasons You Might Hate Valentine's Day

By Stephanie Pappas published

Valentine's Day may be one of the most polarizing holidays on the calendar. Here's why it's hated.

insomnia, sleep, woman

Not All Insomnia Is The Same — In Fact, There May Be 5 Types

By Rachael Rettner published

There's a new way of looking at insomnia.

schadenfreude

Schadenfreude May Come in 3 Flavors, Some Meaner Than Others

By Stephanie Pappas published

People enjoy the misery of others for a few different reasons.

theater mask, scary

This Test Can Measure the 'Dark Core' of Your Personality

By Stephanie Pappas published

Certain personality traits have a common origin.

A group of friends looking at a map while hiking.

Are These Four Personality Types for Real?

By Stephanie Pappas published

Researchers find that personality traits occur in clusters.

Worst date ever.

People Don't Know When They're Being Jerks

By Stephanie Pappas published

Compared to other self-knowledge, people are bad at knowing when they're being rude.

social media, teens

These Personality Traits Could Put You At Risk for Social Media Addiction

By Rachael Rettner published

Whether it's scrolling through Instagram or constantly refreshing your Facebook feed, social media can eat up hours of your day.

Young couple having relationship problems.

Genes Can't Explain Why Men Are Less Empathetic Than Women

By Tereza Pultarova published

For women who think that men just don't seem to understand, well, you're right.

A Single Psychedelic Drug Trip Can Change Your Personality for Years

By Brandon Specktor published

When your trip ends, does your mind stay on vacation?

Small hunting dog bites the owners hand.

Are Dogs More Likely To Bite You If You're Anxious?

By Brandon Specktor published

If you regularly feel anxious, you might be the perfect candidate for a dog bite.

Azteca ants on tree trunk

They've Got Personality: Ant 'Superorganisms' Have Unique Temperaments

By Wynne Parry published

Trees with ants of a certain temperament suffered the least leaf damage.

nasa-global-temperatures-map-2016

Could Climate Change Affect People’s Personalities?

By Charles Q. Choi published

People's personalities may be shaped by the temperatures of the places in which they grew up, a new study suggests.

It takes many neurons to change the color and skin texture of these two octopuses (<em>Abdopus aculeatus</em>), seen here mating.

Are Octopuses Smart?

By Sarah B. Puschmann published

Octopuses have many neurons, appear to play, and may have individual personalities, but does this mean they're smart?

Two couples have dinner together.

Knowing Yourself: How to Improve Your Understanding of Others

By Cari Nierenberg published

Gaining a better understanding of yourself may also improve your capacity to better understand other people, a new study suggests.

Stressed businessman sitting on ground with suitcase.

Why Bad Moods Are Good For You

By Joseph Paul Forgas published

Bad moods and sadness are a normal, and even a useful and adaptive part of being human, helping us cope with many everyday situations and challenges.

A couple having coffee

Men's Looks Matter More Than Women Admit, Study Shows

By Cari Nierenberg published

The new study attempted to put the looks-versus-personality decision to the test in women.