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What Does It Mean to Be Generous?

Do we act generously because we want to help other people, or for attention and approval? Are we motivated to give in the ways that will do the most good? Deborah Small, Adrian C. Israel Professor of Marketing, explores how we make choices that affect our own and others’ welfare and what leaders need to understand about behavioral marketing to expand social impact.

• Deborah Small Adrian C. Israel Professor of Marketing

Q: Are there key questions that have guided your career?

All my research looks at judgment and decision making. I’ve done work on couples’ financial behavior. I’ve looked at how emotion influences our perception of risk. I’m quite interested in our moral intuitions and how they align with our actual behavior. Right now, I’m doing research on how people evaluate moral transgressions.

But, over the course of my career, the key question I keep coming back to is, “What does it mean to be generous?”

Q: How do you approach that question?

When you think about what it means to be generous, you can think in terms of the impact—the more lives saved by an action the more generous it is. Or you can consider the intent. Is someone acting for the right reason, or do they have some ulterior motive?

For centuries philosophers have been debating whether altruism even exists. Can we simply do something nice for another person or can any ostensibly generous act be explained as ultimately driven by self-interest?

You could argue that the most generous person is the one who is willing to look like a braggart in order to have more impact.

Imagine a very generous action—a person donates a kidney. We can still ask whether their motives were pure. Maybe they gain so much status and respect from society that it’s worth it to them. Maybe it feels so good to make the donation, just purely from an emotional level, that they’re being selfish because they’re trying to feel better about themselves.

Trying to figure out whether there’s pure altruism leads to fantastic thought experiments, but I’m not sure it will ever be possible to say definitively. So I don’t actually try to answer that question. I skirt around it and instead ask questions about human judgment and behavior differs from rational models.

Q: Would you give an example?

When people do something generous like donating to a charity, do they think, “How will my giving benefit the most people?” That would be the optimal, “rational” way. But, for most of us, that’s not what we do.

Research, including work I’ve done, shows that if you have somebody in your family who died of a certain disease, then you become more sympathetic towards others with the same disease. You’re not helping your deceased loved one by giving money to strangers who you’re never going to meet, yet you’re more willing to help them, just because of the alignment between their situation and something in your own personal experience. Whether that giving benefits the most people doesn’t even factor in. It’s our personal experience that shapes where we give.

I believe it’s valuable to understand how our patterns of behavior systematically differ from effectiveness maximization and why.

Another line of my work explores, what do people think is generous? In other words, when they see a generous act, do they give the person credit? Or do they discount it by saying, “There’s some ulterior motive”?

We do the same thing with brands. It’s in vogue right now for brands to engage in all sorts of reputation-enhancing activity. There are all sorts of interesting questions about whether customers give them credit for the good deeds, or whether they understand them as the self-interested efforts of a profit-making firm to look good.

In business you deal with people, real human beings. None of us are the perfectly rational Homo economicus . So leaders also need to understand what behavioral science tells us about how customers make decisions. When do they maximize utility and when do they deviate? What can marketing tell us about the processes by which they make decisions?

Q: Along the lines of purely rational models being challenged by imperfect human behavior, would you describe your work on couples’ finances?

Generally, research on interpersonal relationships shows that birds of a feather flock together. We were curious whether that held for couples’ attitudes towards spending. We ended up finding that married couples tend to choose their opposite. Tightwads chose spendthrifts. Spendthrifts chose tightwads. We do not know for sure why, but there’s evidence that people choose mates who are their opposites in qualities they dislike about themselves. Maybe people wish they had a different attitude toward spending.

In theory, this complementarity might balance out the couple. However, in this case we found the difference led to conflict about finances and hurt marital wellbeing. Obviously, it doesn’t hold for every single couple. But, with this characteristic, difference is the norm, and the couples who are different argue about money more than couples who are matched.

Q: You’ve also recently co-authored a paper on the impact of couples merging finances.

That was the craziest experiment I’ve ever been involved in. The lead author, who is now a professor at Indiana University, recruited participants by going to wedding shows, posting on Craigslist, and even sending a flyer using a jeweler’s mailing list. It took a lot of effort, but eventually she enrolled 230 engaged or recently-married couples to be part of an experiment.

Once we had the couples enrolled, they were randomly assigned to either merge their finances or keep them separate. Then we tracked them over two years, asking all kinds of questions about their relationships to determine which approach led to happier outcomes.

We found that couples who merged their finances stayed happier longer. We can’t say sharing accounts is good for everyone. There certainly could be downsides, but on average couples that merged finances were happier than those who didn’t.

Q: How did this build on existing work?

Previous studies had showed a correlation between relationship satisfaction and merging finances, but because the couples in those studies had already chosen to either merge or keep separate, it was impossible to know whether merging finances led to happier outcomes or whether happier couples were the ones to merge finances.

We wanted to do a true randomized experiment that would answer the causation question. We didn’t know quite what we were getting ourselves into. It’s a big ask for people to participate over two years. From concept to publishing the paper, it took eight years.

We don’t have perfect evidence for exactly why couples that merge finances stay happier. We think a shared bank account fosters transparency, trust, and a feeling of communality in the relationship—thinking of things as ours rather than as “this is mine and that is yours.”

Q: There’s also an element of reframing in your recent work on generosity. Would you explain that experiment?

We did a field experiment with DonorsChoose, a large online nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom projects. After someone makes a donation they get a message asking them to tell their friends and family about the donation on Facebook or Twitter or via email.

In other situations, some donors seem glad to publicize their generosity. When someone donates a significant amount to a theater, hospital, or university it’s common to see a room, a building, even a school named after them. Since my workplace is a university campus, I see that all the time. But the data from DonorsChoose revealed that very few people were willing to share about their donations online, when asked.

We have evidence that it’s because people feel inauthentic or braggy when they do share it. They feel they’re saying, “Look at me. Look how generous I am.” It’s as if getting credit for your action makes you less generous.

We conducted a field experiment to find out whether changing the framing of the act of sharing made a difference. After donating people got a message that said if you would like to magnify your impact, share it with friends and family. By presenting it as a way to do more good, we got more people to share. It wasn’t a huge effect, but it was a clear shift. The nudge made a difference. You could argue that the most generous person is the one who is willing to look like a braggart in order to have more impact.

I really liked this project because it was right at the intersection of two ways in which I’ve thought a lot about generosity: the purity of the motive and the impact of the action.

Q: What drew you to generosity as a topic for research?

I didn’t start with a grand vision. In graduate school, I knew that I wanted to study people and have some positive societal impact.

My first research project focused on what’s called the identifiable victim effect, which is our tendency to respond very sympathetically and generously when there’s a single identified victim, whereas we’re not very generous toward statistical victims. When a single person is kidnapped and the victim’s picture is put all over the media there’s lots of moral caring and action. Whereas a report on the thousands of people suffering around the world doesn’t trigger the same response.

I thought it was an interesting decision-making bias. If we were rational, we ought to devote resources to where we can help the most people or have the greatest impact. But there’s something special about a compelling story of a single person. It’s more human, more relatable. We generate more empathy for a single person than we do for many.

I had a sense that if we could understand the psychology that gets in the way of allocating resources in the ways that can have the greatest impact, that would have a significant societal impact. So I started with that. That project led to another and another.

Academic research is solving a problem. You have a question or a hypothesis or observe a pattern and want to understand. You want to add knowledge to the world. And that initial work and the research that followed has practical relevance. For my research on generosity, that means sharing insights for how best to appeal to donors.

Q: Where does your work fit in the wider field studying marketing?

Marketing is a broad and dynamic field. It’s an interdisciplinary field. Some people approach marketing questions focused on applications of economics and statistics. Others, such as myself, approach questions more focused on applications of psychology. But there are many shades of gray. Many people I admire straddle those approaches.

What research questions are considered “marketing” has changed over time. The first paper I published in an academic marketing journal was about why people give to a specific cause—the work I mentioned earlier where people give to fight breast cancer when they know someone who has had breast cancer. They give to Alzheimer charities when they know someone who has suffered from it. When that paper was published in 2008, it was among the first on generosity in the Journal of Consumer Research , perhaps the leading journal on consumer behavior. Now they publish papers on generosity regularly. That same broadening is happening in many academic marketing journals and in the questions being addressed by marketing faculty.

Q: Who influenced and shaped your thinking?

There are so many people who have mentored and inspired me that it’s impossible to mention some names and not leave important people out. I will say that in recent years nearly all of my collaborators have been PhD students or former students. They influence me. Their energy grabs my attention and makes me curious about things that I wouldn’t otherwise have been interested in.

In many cases, they are more tuned in to the latest things. Trends, for sure, but new methodologies, new tools, new resources. It’s energizing to work with people with fresh perspectives.

Q: Many people are curious to know things like whether merging finances with a partner is good for overall happiness in the relationship. However, few people are willing to chase an answer for eight years. What makes you willing to stick with it?

I don’t know if I have a great answer. Maybe, if anything, I have the patience, not always but often enough, to see it through. I would like to believe it is all because of my curious nature. But the truth is that academia rewards focus and self-discipline. We’re all products of our environment and affected by the incentives of the system that we’re in.

Q: How do you think about impact?

The purpose of my work is to understand human decision-making not just in a theoretical way but in a way that lets us develop solutions to problems.

I aim to do this not just in my research, but also in my teaching and service outside of academia. I’m on the research committee at the Ad Council, and I’m part of the Generosity Commission. All of these activities reinforce each other.

Q: What drew you to Yale SOM?

Two things make Yale SOM a perfect fit for me. The mission is focused on business and society. With both the students and the faculty, there’s interest in for-profit businesses and public policy and social entrepreneurship and nonprofit management and all the shades in between. That’s a really nice fit for my research and teaching interests. I teach a course to PhD students on moral consumer behavior. The main MBA course I teach is called “Behavioral Science for Social Good.”

The other thing is that the faculty and students are fantastic. It’s an environment where I can continue to grow and learn.

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The Real Power of Generosity

Sharon Salzberg

April 19, 2015

When we think about generosity, most of us probably don’t think immediately of a powerful force, an inner resource, a real tool for changing how we relate to ourselves , to others and to our world.

Instead, we may think of it similarly to how we think of kindness or compassion — qualities that are gentle, tender, potentially self-effacing — and, as a big misconception, more aligned with weakness than strength. Largely this is because, culturally, we think of generosity purely in terms of the act of giving something up for someone else. This dynamic, by definition, implies at least some degree of self-sacrifice.

Generosity is more than just “giving up.” Generosity generates its power from the gesture of letting go. Being able to give to others shows us our ability to let go of attachments that otherwise can limit our beliefs and our experiences. It might be in our nature to think, “That object is mine for X, Y or Z reason.” But that thought can simply dissolve. This doesn’t just happen passively; we choose to let it through the cultivation of generosity. It is in that choice to dissolve that we carry ourselves to a state of greater freedom.

Our attachments might want to put a cap on our generosity and say, “I will give this much and no more,” or “I will give this article or object if I am appreciated enough for this act of giving.” But it is through the practice of generosity that we learn to see through the attachments, and create space for ourselves.

This doesn’t mean generosity eradicates all attachment automatically or immediately. When we practice the act of simply observing our attachments through acts of generosity, they loosen. They become less opaque, less solid. In that place, we can find greater spaciousness in our minds and tap into a greater sense of inner happiness.

From there, we can continue a deep investigation, cultivating further strength and flexibility to look at everything in our experience this way.

In other words, generosity can make us happier! According to sociologists Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson in their new book The Paradox of Generosity , there is a scientific, inarguable connection between generosity and happiness. Smith and Davidson surveyed 2,000 individuals (comprised of 40 families in 12 different states, all from different classes and races) over a five-year period about their spending habits and lifestyles. The participants who identified as “very happy” were those who reported volunteering for 5.8 hours per month; among those who donated more than 10% of their income, participants reported lower depression rates.

Smith and Davidson also found that participants who were emotionally generous in relationships — through giving love and emotional availability — were in much better health (48%) than those who were not (31%). In short, being able to step outside of oneself and give is an essential ingredient for happiness.

The idea that we benefit from being generous may seem like a strange thing to think about. Does that knowledge somehow taint our generous actions, making them corrupted and selfish? No. I think it’s OK to practice generosity knowing that it is beneficial to ourselves as well as to the recipient. It’s not selfishness, it’s an honest recognition that love and generosity creates an exchange of positive energy, and fuels further love and generosity.

I’m asked this all the time by meditation students who want to create better lives for themselves as well as others, but who feel a little squeamish when thinking about bolstering their own happiness through giving. I commonly respond with, “Seeing how the universe operates, having a sense of conditionality and cause and effect, that generosity brings happiness to the giver, isn’t selfish — it’s science!”

Our tendency is to look at other people around us and see them as “other,” that they are fundamentally disconnected from us. It’s self-protective but also keeps us at arms length from others and ourselves. Thinking of the world in this dualistic way causes us to feel a tighter grip on our habitual thoughts that tend to inform the way we act and define ourselves.

The most common problem happens when we act generously along with feeling a strong expectation for our offering to be received by another in a particular way: I want to give you that present because it will make you like me, or, I will bring my coworker a coffee so that she will say something nice about me to our boss. By contrast, a nourishing generosity emerges when we give without the need for our offering to be received in a certain way, perhaps wishing to be recognized or validated, but not needing it. When generosity lets go of these kinds of expectations, it is a movement toward freedom. That is how and why generosity can be a force, a resource, a tool.

The Buddhist tradition says that whenever the Buddha was teaching lay people, he would always begin with a teaching on generosity because it can bring so much joy and self-respect. This is a good platform from which to look at all of our experiences, including very painful ones, and not feel overwhelmed by them. And, it is said, the Buddha always began talking about generosity because we all have something to give. It might not be material. It might be paying attention to someone. It might be listening fully. It might be smiling at someone, or thanking them. These are all displaying generosity of the spirit.

Generosity is the bread and butter of feeling connected in our lives — to ourselves, to others, and to life itself. And it’s a practice. “I might read it next year even though it’s been sitting on that bedside pile for 4 years,“ or “I don’t know what advantage it is to me to pay attention to you,” or “If I give you this, I wonder if you’ll give me that,” or “How loudly and vociferously will you thank me?” You can experiment with making certain thoughts like these. They are the signal to take a deep breath, relax our grip, and take a chance on generosity.

Contributors

Sharon Salzberg is one of the original three young Americans who traveled to India in the 1960s and ‘70s and introduced Buddhist meditation into mainstream Western culture. She is a globally renowned meditation teacher and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. Her books include Real Happiness , Lovingkindness , and most recently, Real Change: Mindfulness To Heal Ourselves and the World .

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College of arts and letters, science of generosity, exploring an essential human value..

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What is Generosity?

Here are two different approaches to the idea of generosity. The first is an etymological essay that offers a brief introduction to historical uses of the word “generosity”, as well as the Science of Generosity usage; the second is an historical essay briefly describing the importance of generosity to various cultures past and present.

An Etymology of the Word

The modern English word “generosity” derives from the Latin word generōsus , which means “of noble birth,” which itself was passed down to English through the Old French word genereux .

• The Latin stem gener– is the declensional stem of genus , meaning “kin,” “clan,” “race,” or “stock,” with the root Indo–European meaning of gen being "to beget. "
• The same root gives us the words genesis, gentry, gender, genital, gentile, genealogy, and genius, among others.
• Most recorded English uses of the word “generous” up to and during the Sixteenth Century reflect an aristocratic sense of being of noble lineage or high birth. To be generous was literally a way of saying “to belong to nobility.”

During the 17th Century, however, the meaning and use of the word began to change. Generosity came increasingly to identify not literal family heritage but a nobility of spirit thought to be associated with high birth— that is, with various admirable qualities that could now vary from person to person, depending not on family history but on whether a person actually possessed the qualities.

• In this way generosity increasingly came in the 17th Century to signify a variety of traits of character and action historically associated (whether accurately or not) with the ideals of actual nobility: gallantry, courage, strength, richness, gentleness, and fairness.
• In addition to describing these diverse human qualities, "generous "became a word during this period used to describe fertile land, the strength of animal breeds, abundant provisions of food, vibrancy of colors, the strength of liquor, and the potency of medicine.

Then, during the 18th Century, the meaning of “generosity” continued to evolve in directions denoting the more specific, contemporary meaning of munificence, open–handedness, and liberality in the giving of money and possessions to others.

• This more specific meaning came to dominate English usage by the 19th Century.
• Over the last five centuries in the English speaking world, “generosity” developed from being primarily the description of an ascribed status pertaining to the elite nobility to being an achieved mark of admirable personal quality and action capable of being exercised in theory by any person who had learned virtue and noble character.

Modern Usage of the Word

This etymological genealogy tells us that the word “generosity” that we inherit and use today entails certain historical associations which may still inform, however faintly, our contemporary cultural sensibilities on the matter.

• Generosity has not long been viewed as a normal trait of ordinary, or of all people, but rather one expected to be practiced by those of higher quality or greater goodness.
• Generosity— unlike, say, truth telling or not stealing— is more an ideal toward which the best may aspire and achieve than a “democratic” obligation that is the duty of all to practice.
• Generosity may thus, on the positive side, properly call any given person to a higher standard.

Yet simultaneously (and more problematically), this two–tier understanding may have the effect “excusing” the majority from practicing generosity because of their more ordinary perceived status.

We learn from this historical review that the meanings of words can and do evolve, and often do so in response to changing macro social conditions—such as long–term transitions from aristocratic to more democratic societies and cultures.

The Science of Generosity Usage

For our purposes, we use the word generosity to refer to the virtue of giving good things to others freely and abundantly .

• Generosity thus conceived is a learned character trait that involves both attitude and action—entailing as a virtue both an inclination or predilection to give liberally and an actual practice of giving liberally.
• Generosity is therefore not a random idea or haphazard behavior but rather, in its mature form, a basic, personal, moral orientation to life. Furthermore, in a world of moral contrasts, generosity entails not only the moral good expressed but also many vices rejected (selfishness, greed, fear, meanness).
• Generosity also involves giving to others not simply anything in abundance but rather giving those things that are good for others. Generosity always intends to enhance the true wellbeing of those to whom it gives.
• What exactly generosity gives can be various things: money, possessions, time, attention, aid, encouragement, emotional availability, and more.
• Generosity, to be clear, is not identical to pure altruism, since people can be authentically generous in part for reasons that serve their own interests as well as those of others. Indeed, insofar as generosity is a virtue, to practice it for the good of others also necessarily means that doing so achieves one’s own true, long–term good as well.
• And so generosity, like all of the virtues, is in people’s genuine enlightened self-interest to learn and practice.

The Roots of Generosity: A Brief Cultural History

The virtue of generosity has been central throughout the Western tradition, though not always under that name. In order to grasp its ongoing significance, it is vital to place generosity within a broader context of reflection on hospitality, liberality, love, and charity. We discover in short order that pondering the nature of generosity has most often involved fundamental religious questions concerning the nature of humanity, God, and the human-divine relationship. Sustaining the intelligibility and possibility of the virtue of generosity into the future will require something at least as powerful as these inherited contexts of meaning and justification.

The special place of the virtue of hospitality throughout the Middle East has often been noted. The Arab/Islamic tradition in particular emphasizes that the faithful have a duty to God to show generous hospitality towards the stranger, offering them shelter and the best food and drink available. This virtue has deep historical roots, as is witnessed by the Hebrew Bible. It is exemplified in Abraham’s eagerness to host the three strangers who approach his tent in the wilderness, strangers whom the text identifies as Yahweh appearing to Abraham. In showing hospitality to strangers, Abraham has thus honored God and has been enabled to hear God’s covenantal promise of a son in his old age. Aliens, together with widows, orphans, and the poor, are lifted up for special moral attention, and the Israelites are repeatedly reminded that “you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Thus, care for those marginal to the community and thus in danger of being excluded from basic resources, is mandated both as a response to the needs of those persons and as a response to God’s salvific care for the people of Israel.

For Christians, to be generous is to be conformed not just to Christ but also to the loving divine Parent, whose sacrificial self-gift into the world makes possible human fellowship in the divine life; “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The apostle Paul regarded generosity (as expressed in the gifts of other Christian churches to the Jerusalem church) as a proof of the genuine character of Christian love. For Paul, this love is exemplified by Christ who, “though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor” (2 Corinth. 8.9). Generosity involves giving beyond one’s means, though Paul also notes that those now giving out of their abundance may at some point be in need and be the recipients of the generosity of others.

Generosity was also a virtue in the classical pagan context. It is the third of the virtues of character discussed by Aristotle, following on the heels of courage and temperance. The generous person, for Aristotle, is one who gives of his or her wealth in a way that achieves a mean between wastefulness and covetousness. The generous person does not give indiscriminately, but seeks to give in a way that is good and fine.This, in turn, requires giving to the right people, in the right amounts, at the right time, with pleasure, and without looking out for oneself. Aristotle suggests that giving to those who lack good character, or to those who respond with flattery, is not true generosity. Generosity is proportionate to one’s resources, so it is not contingent on possession of great wealth. However, it is closely allied to the virtue of magnificence, which for Aristotle does involve large-scale giving for worthy ends, in particular those that benefit the community as a whole.

Thomas Aquinas, whose thought represents the peak of medieval scholasticism, absorbed much of Aristotle’s account of generosity into his own account of liberality, but his treatment focuses on the way that freedom from attachment to money and possessions makes possible the good use of these external goods. Liberality is not a species of justice, even though it is discussed under the heading of justice; it does not give another what is properly speaking his, that is, due to him, but gives another what is one’s own. Like Aristotle, Aquinas suggests that there are more and less fitting ways in which to give of one’s wealth.

The heart of Aquinas’ account of giving, though, is found not in his discussion of liberality, which focuses on the giver’s disposition toward wealth, but in his discussion of the outward acts of charity, notably beneficence and the giving of alms to the poor. Most fundamentally, these acts are significant because they are a way of being conformed to God, whose nature is self-communicative goodness. The mutual love of the divine Persons is expressed outward in the creation and redemption of the world. Human beings are called to respond in gratitude to God’s love by loving God and one another. In acts of beneficence we seek to do good toward others in ways that emulate the good that God has done and is doing for us. To give simply in order to receive a return is not charity but cupidity, a form of selfishness. Aquinas insists that these acts of charity should in principle extend to all, in the sense that we should be ready to do good to anyone at all, including strangers and enemies. Noting the limitations of human agency, however, he argues that our beneficence should ordinarily focus on those who are nearest and dearest to us on the one hand, and on those whose needs are most urgent, on the other. Aquinas recognizes that these claims may conflict, and that prudential judgment will be required in order to determine how one’s acts of beneficence should be directed in any concrete situation.

Today, we associate the word “charity” primarily with charitable giving to the poor. Care for the poor, together with widow and orphan and prisoner, have always been central activities of Christian churches. Generosity was not simply a virtue of individuals but a corporate responsibility, institutionalized in myriad ways. In the sixteenth century, a fundamental shift toward centralized organization of poor relief took place across Europe. This shift has at times been seen as a corruption of true generosity, as in the widespread chorus of praise for voluntary private giving in the eighteenth-century. The challenge has been to preserve, within corporate forms of charity, both governmental and non-governmental, church-related and non-church-related, some element of personal care and spontaneous gift.

An influential strand of contemporary continental philosophy has argued that the dominant received conceptions of generosity in the West are insufficiently unconditional and betray expectations of reciprocity. Emmanuel Levinas insists that true generosity does not differentiate between more or less deserving recipients, nor does it give in the expectation of return. Rather, it is an unconditional openness to the Other, an opening of oneself to otherness in a way that is willing to have one’s own identity called into question. Jacques Derrida has developed this line of reflection into an assertion of the impossibility of gift. As soon as something is recognized as a gift, the receiver becomes indebted and obliged to offer a return; free gift thus collapses into economic exchange. A gift can only exist so long as it remains unrecognized by both giver and receiver. Derrida’s argument has been subjected to vigorous critique. Most fundamentally, it is not clear why a desire for reciprocity (as opposed to a “gift” made contingent on return) taints generosity, particularly when generosity is understood fundamentally in terms of a gift of self offered in the hope of establishing relationship with some other.

These contemporary reflections on generosity and gift are finally best understood as a retrieval of core themes in the Western tradition rather than a fundamentally new departure. But the intense interest they have aroused is an indication of the fact that generosity is endangered in today’s world, a world dominated by contract or economic exchange, which is indeed strictly conditional.

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Introduction

Generosity is a trait that has been praised and admired throughout history. From the charitable acts of Mother Teresa to the generous donations of Bill Gates, generosity has played a crucial role in making our world a better place. But generosity isn’t just about giving money or material possessions; it’s also about showing others your time, energy, and empathy. In this blog post, we’ll explore why being generous is important and how it can benefit you and those around you. So sit, unwind, and explore the beautiful world of generosity!

What is generosity?

Generosity is being kind and giving, especially with your time or money. When generous, you put others first without expecting anything in return. Charity is about giving more than you can afford and is often a way to show your love for someone.

Being generous doesn’t mean giving away all your possessions or constantly putting others before yourself. It simply means finding ways to help when you can, whether picking up a shift for a coworker or donating to a worthy cause. Generosity is often its reward, but there are also some science-backed benefits of being generous.

For one, generosity has been linked with happiness. In one study, people who gave money to charity were happier than those who didn’t. And in another study, people who performed acts of kindness were more satisfied than those who didn’t.

There is evidence suggesting that being generous is associated with improved physical health. For instance, one study found that individuals over 50 who volunteered for two or more organizations had a 44% lower chance of dying over five years than those who didn’t volunteer. In addition, another study discovered that people who assisted others had a reduced likelihood of developing high blood pressure compared to those who did not offer help.

So if you’re looking for ways to be happier and healthier, consider being more generous

Why is generosity important?

Being generous is one of the most crucial things you can do for yourself and others. Generosity has many benefits, including making you happier, improving your relationships, and helping those in need.

When you exhibit generosity, you are offering something that does not incur a high cost to you but can profoundly impact another person. Such an act of kindness has the potential to bring joy and light to their day and even improve their life. Even a small act of generosity can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

Being generous also makes you feel good about yourself. It’s a great way to boost your self-esteem and confidence. When you give to others, it feels good knowing that you have helped make someone’s life better.

In addition to making you feel good, being generous also improves your relationships. People will start to see you as kind and caring when you are always giving. They will be more likely to want to be around you and be your friend.

Lastly, one of the most important reasons to be generous is because it helps those in need. So many people in the world are less fortunate than we are. When we give to them, we are helping make their lives just a little bit easier. Even if we cannot alter the world, we can impact someone’s life by being kind.

The benefits of generosity

Generosity is often described as the quality of being kind and giving. It is a virtue that can be applied in many ways, from donating money to charities to volunteering your time to help others.

Many benefits come from being generous. One of the most obvious benefits is that it makes you feel good. When you give to someone else, it feels like you are making a positive difference in their life, which can help boost your mood and self-esteem.

Being generous can also help build strong relationships. When you give to others, they are more likely to reciprocate, creating a cycle of giving that strengthens your bond with them. Additionally, generosity can inspire others to give more, creating a ripple effect of kindness.

Finally, generosity has been shown to affect the giver positively. Studies have found that people who give regularly have lower blood pressure and longer lifespans than those who do not. So not only does generosity make you feel good, but it is also good for your health!

How to be more generous

Generosity is often thought of as giving money to charity, but it can be so much more than that. Generosity is about being kind and giving without expecting anything in return. It’s about changing someone else’s life, even if it’s just a little bit.

There are many ways to be more generous. You can give your time, energy, or resources. You can also be more generous with your words and actions. Here are some suggestions for how to improve:

• Give your time: Volunteer for a local organization or spend time with someone who may need some company.
• Give compliments: A kind word goes a long way and can brighten someone’s day.
• Give donations: If you have the means, consider donating to a cause or charity that is important to you.
• Pay it forward: When you receive generosity, be generous to others when you can.

Generosity has many benefits. It can make you happier and healthier, help build stronger relationships, and improve the world. So next time you have the opportunity, consider being more generous!

Generosity is a powerful emotion that can bring immense joy and satisfaction to our lives. Not only does it make us feel more connected to the people around us, but it can also lift our spirits and make us happier. Furthermore, generosity helps us create meaningful relationships with others, increases creativity, boosts self-esteem, and contributes to a healthier society overall. Therefore, if you have ever felt disconnected from those around you or unsatisfied with your life somehow, being generous could be the answer that unlocks all the answers!

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Describing a Person’s Personality: Examples and Tips

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on October 6, 2023

Categories Creativity , Creative Writing , Self Improvement , Writing

Describing someone’s personality is an art that requires careful observation and attention to detail. Whether you are trying to describe your friend, a colleague, or a character in a story, understanding their personality traits is crucial to creating a vivid and engaging description.

In this article, we will explore different ways to describe a person’s personality, including positive and negative traits, using senses to describe personality, and the role of behavior in shaping personality.

To begin, it’s important to understand what personality is and how it influences a person’s behavior and actions. Personality is a set of traits, characteristics, and patterns of thought and behavior that define an individual’s unique identity.

Positive personality traits include kindness, honesty, creativity, and empathy, while negative traits include arrogance, selfishness, dishonesty, and impulsiveness. By understanding these traits, you can create a more nuanced and accurate description of a person’s personality.

One effective way to describe a person’s personality is by using the senses. By paying attention to how a person looks, sounds, smells, and feels, you can create a more vivid and engaging description that captures their essence.

Additionally, understanding how a person’s behavior and actions reflect their personality can provide valuable insights into their character and motivations. By exploring these different aspects of personality, you can create a more nuanced and compelling description that brings your subject to life.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the different aspects of personality is crucial to creating an accurate and engaging description.
• Using senses to describe personality can provide valuable insights into a person’s character and identity.
• By exploring the role of behavior in shaping personality, you can create a more nuanced and compelling description that captures the essence of your subject.

Understanding Personality

Understanding a person’s personality is crucial in building strong relationships and creating a positive environment.

Personality refers to the unique patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish one person from another. It is a product of both biology and environment and remains relatively consistent throughout life.

When describing a person’s personality, it is essential to consider their personality traits. Personality traits are enduring patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior that make up a person’s individuality.

The Big Five Personality Traits, also known as OCEAN, are widely accepted as a comprehensive model for describing personality. These include openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

Personality types are another way to understand a person’s personality.

Type A personalities are typically competitive, ambitious, and impatient, while Type B personalities are more relaxed, easy-going, and laid back. Type C personalities are introverted, detail-oriented, and analytical, while Type D personalities are anxious, negative, and socially inhibited.

Personality assessment tools are available to help individuals better understand their personality traits and types. These tools can be helpful in identifying strengths and weaknesses and providing insight into how to improve communication and relationships.

In conclusion, understanding personality is crucial in building strong relationships and creating a positive environment. By considering personality traits, types, and assessment tools, you can gain a better understanding of yourself and others.

Positive Personality Traits

When describing someone’s personality, positive traits are often the first to come to mind. These traits can make someone a joy to be around and are highly valued in personal and professional relationships.

Here are some positive personality traits to look for in others:

• Good : A person who is good is kind, caring, and considerate. They have a positive outlook on life and are always willing to lend a helping hand.
• Generous : Generosity is a trait that involves giving freely of one’s time, resources, and energy. A generous person is always looking for ways to help others and make a positive impact in the world.
• Kind : Kindness is a trait that involves treating others with compassion and empathy. A kind person is always looking for ways to make others feel appreciated and valued.
• Friendly : A friendly person is outgoing and approachable. They enjoy meeting new people and making connections with others.
• Pleasant : A pleasant person is easy to be around. They have a warm and welcoming personality that puts others at ease.
• Polite : Politeness involves showing respect and consideration for others. A polite person is always mindful of their manners and strives to make others feel comfortable.
• Honest : Honesty is a trait that involves telling the truth and being transparent. An honest person is trustworthy and dependable.
• Thoughtful : Thoughtfulness involves considering the needs and feelings of others. A thoughtful person is always looking for ways to make others feel appreciated and valued.
• Reliable : Reliability is a trait that involves being dependable and trustworthy. A reliable person follows through on their commitments and can be counted on to get things done.
• Courageous : Courage involves taking risks and standing up for what is right. A courageous person is willing to face challenges and overcome obstacles to achieve their goals.
• Happy : Happiness is a trait that involves having a positive outlook on life. A happy person is optimistic and enjoys spreading positivity to others.
• Smart : Intelligence is a trait that involves having a sharp mind and the ability to learn quickly. A smart person is knowledgeable and enjoys learning new things.
• Wise : Wisdom is a trait that involves having a deep understanding of life and the world around us. A wise person is thoughtful and reflective.
• Confident : Confidence involves having a strong belief in oneself and one’s abilities. A confident person is self-assured and capable.
• Compassionate : Compassion involves having empathy and concern for others. A compassionate person is always looking for ways to help others and make a positive impact in the world.
• Sympathetic : Sympathy involves feeling sorry for others and understanding their pain. A sympathetic person is empathetic and can relate to the struggles of others.
• Sensible : Sensibility involves having good judgment and making wise decisions. A sensible person is practical and level-headed.
• Brave : Bravery involves facing challenges and overcoming fear. A brave person is willing to take risks and stand up for what is right.
• Cheerful : Cheerfulness involves having a positive and upbeat attitude. A cheerful person is always looking for ways to spread joy and happiness to others.
• Empathetic : Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others. An empathetic person is compassionate and caring.
• Charismatic : Charisma involves having a magnetic personality that draws others in. A charismatic person is charming and likable.
• Authentic : Authenticity involves being true to oneself and one’s values. An authentic person is genuine and sincere.
• Proactive : Proactivity involves taking initiative and being proactive in achieving one’s goals. A proactive person is always looking for ways to improve themselves and their situation.
• Sincere : Sincerity involves being genuine and honest in one’s interactions with others. A sincere person is trustworthy and dependable.

These positive personality traits can make someone a joy to be around and are highly valued in personal and professional relationships.

Negative Personality Traits

Just like positive personality traits, negative personality traits can also be used to describe individuals. Negative personality traits are qualities that are generally not desirable and can affect how people perceive you. Here are some common negative personality traits that you should be aware of:

Mean and Cruel

Being mean and cruel to others is a negative personality trait that can make people avoid you. If you are constantly belittling others, making fun of them, or being sarcastic, you may be perceived as mean or cruel.

Dishonesty is another negative personality trait that can affect how people perceive you. If you are known for lying, cheating, or stealing, people may not trust you or want to be around you.

Selfishness is a negative personality trait that can make people see you as someone who only cares about themselves. If you are always putting your needs before others, people may not want to be friends with you or work with you.

Being rude to others is another negative personality trait that can make people avoid you. If you are constantly interrupting others, talking over them, or being dismissive, people may see you as rude.

Being nasty to others is a negative personality trait that can make people avoid you. If you are constantly insulting others, being aggressive, or using foul language, people may see you as nasty.

Being too serious all the time is a negative personality trait that can make people feel uncomfortable around you. If you are always serious and never seem to have fun, people may see you as uptight and unapproachable.

Being overly aggressive is a negative personality trait that can make people feel intimidated by you. If you are always getting into arguments, picking fights, or being confrontational, people may see you as aggressive.

Being too neutral or indifferent can also be a negative personality trait. If you never express your opinion or seem uninterested in what others have to say, people may see you as boring or disengaged.

Being overly nervous or anxious is a negative personality trait that can make people feel uncomfortable around you. If you are always fidgeting, sweating, or seem nervous, people may see you as high-strung or unreliable.

Being perceived as stupid is a negative personality trait that can affect how people perceive you. If you are constantly making mistakes, saying the wrong thing, or not understanding things, people may see you as unintelligent.

Dreary and Tedious

Being dreary and tedious is a negative personality trait that can make people avoid you. If you are always complaining, being negative, or talking about dull topics, people may see you as boring and uninteresting.

Being gloomy all the time is a negative personality trait that can make people feel uncomfortable around you. If you are always sad, depressed, or negative, people may see you as someone who brings down the mood.

Controlling

Being too controlling is a negative personality trait that can make people feel uncomfortable around you. If you are always trying to control the situation, micromanage others, or not allowing others to have a say, people may see you as controlling and overbearing.

Remember, negative personality traits can affect how people perceive you and can impact your relationships and career. It’s important to be aware of these traits and work on improving them if you want to be seen as a positive and likeable person.

Describing Personality Using Senses

When it comes to describing a person’s personality, using your senses can be a helpful tool. By paying attention to how someone looks, sounds, and behaves, you can get a sense of their personality without even talking to them. Here are some ways to describe personality using your senses:

The way a person looks can tell you a lot about their personality. For example, someone who always dresses in bright colors might be outgoing and extroverted, while someone who always wears black might be more introverted or reserved. You can also look at a person’s body language to get a sense of their personality. Someone who stands tall and makes eye contact might be confident and self-assured, while someone who slouches and avoids eye contact might be more insecure.

The way a person feels to be around can also give you a sense of their personality. Do they make you feel comfortable and at ease, or do they make you feel on edge? Someone who is warm and welcoming might be friendly and approachable, while someone who is cold and distant might be more reserved or introverted.

How a person treats others can also give you a sense of their personality. Someone who is always kind and considerate might be empathetic and compassionate, while someone who is rude or dismissive might be more self-centered or lacking in empathy.

The way a person speaks can also give you a sense of their personality. Someone who speaks softly and thoughtfully might be introverted or reflective, while someone who speaks loudly and confidently might be outgoing or assertive.

On the other hand, someone who speaks loudly and aggressively might be more confrontational or domineering, while someone who speaks softly and tentatively might be more submissive or lacking in confidence.

A person’s sense of humor can also give you a sense of their personality. Someone who is always cracking jokes might be outgoing and lighthearted, while someone who is more serious might be more introverted or analytical.

Finally, the way a person sounds can also give you a sense of their personality. Someone with a deep, resonant voice might be more confident and authoritative, while someone with a high-pitched voice might be more nervous or excitable.

How a person touches can also give you a sense of their personality. Someone who is always hugging might be more affectionate or emotional, while someone who avoids physical contact might be more guarded or reserved.

By paying attention to these sensory cues, you can get a sense of someone’s personality before even getting to know them. However, it’s important to remember that these cues are just one piece of the puzzle, and that everyone is complex and multifaceted.

The Role of Behavior in Personality

Behavior plays a crucial role in defining a person’s personality. It refers to the actions and reactions of an individual in response to different situations.

How a person behaves in different situations reflects their personality traits, attitudes, and approach towards life.

In a job setting, behavior is an important aspect that employers consider when hiring an employee.

A person’s behavior can determine how well they work with others, how they handle pressure, and how they respond to different challenges.

Employers look for individuals who have a positive attitude, are respectful, and have good communication skills.

When describing a person’s personality, behavior is one of the key factors to consider. It can be described using action words such as confident, assertive, friendly, or reserved.

Body language is also an important aspect of behavior as it can convey a lot about a person’s personality. For example, a person who stands tall and maintains eye contact can be seen as confident and self-assured.

Preferences and environment can also influence a person’s behavior. For example, a person who prefers a quiet and peaceful environment may behave differently in a loud and chaotic setting.

Similarly, a person’s psychological state can also affect their behavior. For instance, a person who is feeling anxious may behave in a more reserved and cautious manner.

In conclusion, behavior is an important aspect of personality that can reveal a lot about a person’s attitudes, approach, and ways of interacting with others. When describing a person’s personality, it is important to consider their behavior in different situations and how it reflects their personality traits.

Character Traits and Personal Growth

Understanding your character traits is an essential step towards personal growth. Your character traits represent your personality, morals, ethics, and beliefs.

They are the building blocks of your personality and define who you are as a person. Identifying your character traits can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses, which can lead to personal growth.

Your strengths are the positive character traits that you possess. They are the qualities that make you stand out and excel in certain areas. Knowing your strengths can help you leverage them to achieve your goals and pursue your passions. Some examples of strengths include honesty, creativity, perseverance, and empathy.

On the other hand, your weaknesses are the negative character traits that you possess. They are the qualities that hold you back and prevent you from reaching your full potential. Identifying your weaknesses can help you work on them and turn them into strengths.

Some examples of weaknesses include procrastination, impatience, indecisiveness, and selfishness.

Personal growth is the process of improving your character traits and becoming a better version of yourself. It involves self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-improvement. Personal growth can help you overcome your weaknesses, develop your strengths, and achieve your goals.

Characterization is the process of creating a character in a story or a play. It involves identifying the character’s traits, strengths, weaknesses, and motivations.

Characterization can help you understand the characters in a story and their actions.

Structure is the arrangement of elements in a story or a play. It involves the plot, the characters, the setting, and the theme. Structure can help you understand the story and its meaning.

In conclusion, understanding your character traits is crucial for personal growth. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses can help you leverage them to achieve your goals and become a better version of yourself. Personal growth involves self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-improvement. Characterization and structure can help you understand the characters in a story and the story itself. That story often includes you, in one way or another!

Examples of Describing Personality

When it comes to describing someone’s personality, there are a variety of adjectives that can be used. Adjectives are words that describe or modify a noun or pronoun.

Native speakers often use adjectives to describe people’s personalities, and there are many positive adjectives that can be used to describe someone in a favorable light.

For example, you might describe someone as “charismatic” if they have a magnetic personality that draws others to them. Or, you might describe someone as “compassionate” if they are kind and caring towards others.

Here are some example sentences using positive adjectives to describe someone’s personality:

• She is a very creative person who always comes up with innovative solutions to problems.
• He is a very reliable employee who always meets his deadlines and does excellent work.
• She is a very adventurous person who loves to explore new places and try new things.

When describing someone’s personality, it is important to include specific details that support your description.

For example, if you describe someone as “outgoing,” you might want to mention that they enjoy meeting new people and are always the life of the party. Including specific details helps to paint a more accurate picture of the person you are describing.

Narration is another effective way to describe someone’s personality. By telling a story about the person, you can convey their personality traits in a more engaging way.

For example, you might tell a story about how your friend always goes out of their way to help others, demonstrating their kindness and generosity.

Brainstorming is also a helpful tool when describing someone’s personality. Take some time to jot down all of the adjectives that come to mind when you think of the person you are describing. Then, use those adjectives to craft a more detailed description of their personality.

Finally, don’t be afraid to revise your description as needed. As you gather more information about the person, you may discover new personality traits that you want to include in your description. By revising your description, you can create a more accurate and comprehensive picture of the person’s personality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some words that can be used to describe a person’s personality characteristics.

When describing someone’s personality, you can use words such as outgoing, friendly, adventurous, creative, reliable, honest, trustworthy, and intelligent. These words can help paint a picture of someone’s character and give insight into their behavior and actions.

What are some deep and meaningful words that can be used to describe a person?

If you want to go deeper and describe someone’s personality more meaningfully, you can use words such as empathetic, compassionate, philosophical, introspective, intuitive, spiritual, and insightful. These words can help convey someone’s inner thoughts, feelings, and motivations.

How can you effectively describe a person’s personality in writing?

When describing someone’s personality in writing, it’s important to be specific and provide examples. Use descriptive language to paint a picture of the person’s behavior, actions, and thoughts. You can also use anecdotes or stories to illustrate their personality traits.

What are some negative adjectives that can be used to describe a person’s personality?

While it’s important to focus on positive traits when describing someone’s personality, there may be times when negative adjectives are necessary. Some negative adjectives that can be used to describe someone’s personality include selfish, arrogant, rude, aggressive, pessimistic, and dishonest.

Can you provide an example of an essay that describes a person’s personality?

Here is an example of an essay that describes someone’s personality:

John is a kind and compassionate person who always puts others before himself. He is empathetic and always tries to understand other people’s perspectives. John is also very creative and loves to express himself through art and music. He is a reliable and trustworthy friend who is always there when you need him.

What are some examples of words that can be used to describe someone’s special personality traits?

Everyone has unique personality traits that make them who they are. Some examples of words that can be used to describe someone’s special personality traits include adventurous, curious, persistent, resilient, adaptable, and ambitious. These words can help capture someone’s individuality and what makes them stand out from others.

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Generous people are able and willing to give.

They give both financially and of themselves, in a way that benefits the recipient. Their gifts may include time, money, things, and encouragement.

Generous people are also able to receive in such a way that the giver gains from the interchange. How do they do this? Their actions are motivated by the needs of others, and not of themselves.

A Definition of Generosity

generous , adj. of a noble nature: liberal: bountiful: invigorating in its nature.

Chambers English Dictionary, 1988 Edition

The root of the word ‘generous’ is in the Latin word genus , meaning birth , and generosus , meaning of noble birth . It seems likely, therefore, that the word reflects some kind of feudal responsibility towards those less well off, and an element of looking after those who need help, simply because you can, and therefore should, help them.

Generosity in Practice

We can probably all agree that when we talk about someone being generous, we mean that they give without asking for anything back, and in a way that benefits those receiving. Generosity is almost universally agreed to be a good quality. But what does it really mean in everyday life?

Generous people earn their money well. That is, they engage in work in a way that is in line with their principles, and not illegal or immoral. They use what they need for their own requirements, including leisure, luxury, and security, and are then able to use the rest for the good of others.

But generous people also have the right attitude to money and wealth. Money is treated appropriately: as a means to acquire the things that you need, and not as an end in itself. They are therefore able to spend money well on others, and not just on themselves.

Generosity is also not just about money. Generous people may be financially poor, but they still give their time and energy to others. The key is to engage with others for their benefit, with no thought of the reward that may accrue as a result.

When generous people receive something from others, whether that is a gift, time or encouragement, they are grateful and express this gratitude in a way that is appropriate.

Put simply, generous people give for the benefit of others, without counting the cost, and without expecting anything in return.

The Benefits of Generosity

It may seem odd to talk about the benefits of generosity. After all, we have just said that generous people give without expecting a reward.

But the rewards of generosity go far beyond the simple quid pro quo of bartering or trading.

Acting generously helps to make you feel good, because you are helping others. You should not, of course, give to satisfy your ego, because that is not generosity, but there is something very satisfying about giving what you can to help someone else.

Giving generously of yourself will also help you to grow as a person.

Generous people therefore tend to make and sustain good friendships, built on solid foundations, and hopefully mutual regard and generosity.

When Should you Give?

Aristotle, always a useful guide to exercising virtues, suggested that generous people gave when others needed and they had something that could help. That means that you have an opportunity to act generously whenever you see someone in need and you are able to help.

Aristotle also suggested that generosity was measured against how much someone had to give. Someone with millions of pounds can give much more than those with less money. However, the person with less money may be considered more generous if they give a larger proportion of their surplus.

This view is echoed by many world religions, including Christianity. Jesus, for example, commented on the example of a poor widow.

The Widow’s Offering

Jesus saw people giving gifts and offerings to the temple. Among them was a poor widow who put in two very small copper coins.

He said to those around him:

“ Look, the widow there has put in much more than any of the others. They all gave gifts which were only a very small part of their total wealth. She, however, has given nearly all she has to live on. ”

The ‘Flip Side’ of Generosity

All virtues have a ‘flip side’ or, more usually, two: one for excess and one for not going far enough.

In the case of generosity, these two are selfishness , which is not being generous enough or taking more than you need, and wasteful , which is giving too much when it is not needed.

Neither selfishness or wastefulness are attractive qualities and, as so often, it is important to find a balance.

In the case of generosity, the balance lies in focusing on the needs of those to whom you are giving. If you give what you can afford to help meet their needs then that will be generous.

Using this definition, it would be possible to argue that the widow in Jesus’ parable was in fact being wasteful: she gave more than she could afford, and left herself in need.

However, the precise balance point is up to the individual concerned. The widow obviously felt that she had enough without those coins, and that it was appropriate to give them away.

Guidelines for Generosity

Based on Aristotle, via a book by Curzer, there are some simple steps to take to practise generosity:

1. Give enough so that it is meaningful and useful, and give to people who you think will use it wisely, not those who will squander it.

Someone who gives without worrying about whether the money will be spent wisely may still be considered generous, but may not be acting ‘well’. Giving generously is about helping to meet the needs of others. Knowing that someone is going to spend the money on drink or drugs is not helping to meet their needs.

2. Do not give so much that you cannot meet your own needs

It is especially important not to give so much that you are in danger of enriching someone else at your expense.

3. Be gracious in accepting the appropriate gifts of others

While you should always be gracious in accepting gifts from others, you do need to be aware of whether or not they can afford the gift. The temple authorities might have done well to have given the widow back half of her offering on the grounds that she could not really afford to give it all.

4. Generosity is not about personal gain

It is particularly important to ensure that you never exploit others for personal gain.

Further Reading from Skills You Need

Looking after your physical and mental health is important. It is, however, not enough. Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs suggests that most of us need more than that. We need to know that we are living our ‘best life’: that we are doing all we can to lead a ‘good life’ that we will not regret later on.

Based on some of our most popular content, this eBook will help you to live that life. It explains about the concepts of living well and ‘goodness’, together with how to develop your own ‘moral compass’.

Finding the Balance

In many ways, it is easier to find the balance point in generosity than in some of the other virtues that you may wish to develop.

Thinking about what constitutes selfish and wasteful will give some easy pointers to the wrong behaviours. True generosity requires giving what you can afford to help others, and being gracious in receiving from others only what they can afford to give.

It is perhaps easier to articulate than to do, but almost all of us would recognise it as a good thing and something worth striving to achieve.

Continue to: Compassion Developing Good Temper

See also: Using your Moral Compass Developing Resilience How to Become a More Selfless Person

Personal Characteristics Essay: Top Examples and Tips for Successful Writing

Looking to write a compelling personal characteristics essay? Our article offers top examples and tips for successful writing.

Posted August 18, 2023

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When it comes to writing a personal characteristics essay, there are several important factors to consider to ensure that your essay stands out from the rest. This type of essay requires you to talk about your personal traits and characteristics and how they have shaped your life experiences and decisions. Writing a personal characteristics essay can be daunting, but with the right strategies and techniques, you can craft an impressive essay that leaves a lasting impression.

Understanding the Purpose of a Personal Characteristics Essay

Before diving into the writing process, it's essential to understand the purpose of a personal characteristics essay. The purpose of this type of essay is to showcase your unique qualities and characteristics, which makes you stand out from the rest. It's an opportunity for the reader to gain insight into your personality and the way you think. Your essay should not only provide a description of your traits but also demonstrate how they influence your actions and decisions.

Additionally, a personal characteristics essay can also serve as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth. Through the process of writing about your traits and how they have impacted your life, you may gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your values. This type of essay can also help you identify areas for improvement and set goals for personal development.

How to Choose a Topic for Your Personal Characteristics Essay

Choosing the right topic for your personal characteristics essay is crucial. You want to select a topic that not only reflects your personality but also allows you to showcase your writing skills. Start by brainstorming a list of traits and characteristics that define you. From there, select a topic that highlights one or two of these traits. Think about a situation that showcases these traits and how you overcame a challenge or learned a valuable lesson.

Another important factor to consider when choosing a topic for your personal characteristics essay is your audience. Think about who will be reading your essay and what they might be interested in learning about you. Consider selecting a topic that is relatable and relevant to your audience, while still highlighting your unique qualities.

It's also important to remember that your personal characteristics essay should not just be a list of traits or accomplishments. Instead, focus on telling a story that illustrates your personality and how it has shaped your experiences and perspectives. Choose a topic that allows you to delve deeper into your personal journey and share insights that will resonate with your readers.

Brainstorming Techniques for Your Personal Characteristics Essay

Brainstorming is an essential step in the writing process. It allows you to generate ideas and make connections between them. Try using mind maps or free-writing to get your ideas down on paper. You might also consider asking friends or family members what they think your most prominent traits are to get an outside perspective.

Another effective technique for brainstorming your personal characteristics essay is to reflect on your past experiences and how they have shaped you. Think about challenges you have faced and how you overcame them, or moments of success and how they have contributed to your personal growth. These experiences can provide valuable insight into your character and help you identify key traits to highlight in your essay.

The Importance of Organizing Your Thoughts and Ideas

Once you've generated your ideas, it's time to organize them. Start by creating an outline that includes the main points you want to make in your essay. Your outline should also include the introduction, body, and conclusion sections of your essay. Organizing your thoughts and ideas will help you stay on track and ensure that you cover all the necessary points in your essay.

Moreover, organizing your thoughts and ideas can also help you identify any gaps in your argument or areas where you need to do more research. By creating an outline, you can see where you need to add more information or examples to support your points. This can help you create a more well-rounded and convincing essay.

Additionally, organizing your thoughts and ideas can also help you save time in the long run. When you have a clear outline to follow, you can write your essay more efficiently and effectively. You won't waste time trying to figure out what to write next or how to structure your essay. Instead, you can focus on writing high-quality content that supports your thesis statement and engages your readers.

Tips for Writing a Strong Introduction to Your Essay

The introduction to your essay is crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of your essay. Your introduction should grab the reader's attention and entice them to keep reading. Consider starting with a hook, such as a quote, an anecdote, or a question. Your introduction should also include your thesis statement, which outlines the main point of your essay.

In addition to a hook and thesis statement, your introduction should also provide some background information on the topic you are writing about. This can help to contextualize your essay and give the reader a better understanding of the subject matter. However, be careful not to include too much information in your introduction, as it can become overwhelming and detract from the main point of your essay.

The Art of Developing a Compelling Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement should be concise and clear. It should provide a roadmap for the rest of your essay. Think about the main point you want to make and how you plan on supporting it throughout your essay. Make sure your thesis statement is arguable and specific.

Supporting Your Claims with Relevant Examples and Evidence

To make your essay more compelling, you should back up your claims and arguments with relevant examples and evidence. This will help your reader understand the extent of your personal qualities and how they have impacted your life experiences. Make sure to include specific examples from your life that illustrate the qualities you're discussing in your essay.

One effective way to provide evidence for your claims is to use statistics or data that support your argument. For example, if you're writing an essay about the benefits of exercise, you could include statistics about the number of people who have improved their health through regular exercise. This will add credibility to your argument and make it more convincing.

Another way to support your claims is to use expert opinions or quotes from reputable sources. This can help to strengthen your argument and show that you have done your research on the topic. Be sure to properly cite any sources you use in your essay.

The Power of Descriptive Writing: Painting a Vivid Picture with Words

Descriptive writing is a powerful tool that can be used to paint a vivid picture of your experiences and personality in your essay. Use sensory details to help your reader visualize your experiences. Consider incorporating metaphors or similes to make your writing more interesting and engaging.

Adding Depth and Complexity to Your Essay through Analysis and Reflection

Analysis and reflection are essential elements of an outstanding personal characteristics essay. Once you have described your traits and experiences, you should analyze how they have contributed to your personal growth and development. Reflection is also important as it allows you to consider how you might apply your characteristics to future situations.

The Benefits of Peer Review and Collaboration in Essay Writing

Collaborating with others can be immensely helpful in refining your essay. You might consider having a friend or family member review your essay and provide feedback. Peer review can help you identify areas where your essay needs improvement and provide suggestions for how to improve it.

Strategies for Effective Editing and Proofreading

Editing and proofreading are crucial steps in the writing process. Once you have completed your essay, take a break and come back to it with fresh eyes. Look for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Make sure to also check that your essay flows logically and that your arguments are well-supported.

Addressing Common Pitfalls in Personal Characteristics Essays

One common pitfall in personal characteristics essays is focusing too much on describing your traits instead of analyzing how they have impacted your life experiences. Another common pitfall is using cliches or generic language instead of making your essay unique and interesting. Be sure to avoid these pitfalls to ensure your essay stands out.

Using Keywords and Meta Tags to Optimize Your Essay for Search Engines

If you plan on publishing your essay online, you might consider optimizing it for search engines such as Google. This involves using keywords and meta tags in your essay that will help it appear higher in search results. Be sure to research the most popular keywords related to your topic and include them strategically in your essay.

Crafting an Impressive Conclusion that Leaves a Lasting Impression

Finally, your conclusion should leave a lasting impression on the reader. Summarize your main points and reiterate your thesis statement. Think about what you want your reader to take away from your essay. Consider ending with a call to action or a memorable quote.

Writing a personal characteristics essay can be a challenging task, but with the right strategies and techniques, you can craft an impressive essay that showcases your unique qualities and characteristics. By following the tips outlined above, you'll be well on your way to writing a successful personal characteristics essay that leaves a lasting impression.

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How Personality Impacts Our Daily Lives

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Verywell / Emily Roberts

Personality Characteristics

How personality develops, impact of personality, personality disorders.

Personality describes the unique patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish a person from others. A product of both biology and environment, it remains fairly consistent throughout life.

Examples of personality can be found in how we describe other people's traits. For instance, "She is generous, caring, and a bit of a perfectionist," or "They are loyal and protective of their friends."

The word "personality" stems from the Latin word persona , which refers to a theatrical mask worn by performers to play roles or disguise their identities.

Although there are many definitions of personality, most focus on the pattern of behaviors and characteristics that can help predict and explain a person's behavior.

Explanations for personality can focus on a variety of influences, ranging from genetic effects to the role of the environment and experience in shaping an individual's personality.

What exactly makes up a personality? Traits and patterns of thought and emotion play important roles, and so do these fundamental characteristics of personality:

• Consistency : There is generally a recognizable order and regularity to behaviors. Essentially, people act in the same way or in similar ways in a variety of situations.
• Both psychological and physiological : Personality is a psychological construct, but research suggests that it is also influenced by biological processes and needs.
• Affects behaviors and actions : Personality not only influences how we move and respond in our environment, but it also causes us to act in certain ways.
• Multiple expressions : Personality is displayed in more than just behavior. It can also be seen in our thoughts, feelings, close relationships, and other social interactions.

There are a number of theories about personality , and different schools of thought in psychology influence many of these theories. Some theories describe how personalities are expressed, and others focus more on how personality develops.

Type theories suggest that there are a limited number of personality types that are related to biological influences.

One theory suggests there are four types of personality. They are:

• Type A : Perfectionist, impatient, competitive, work-obsessed, achievement-oriented, aggressive, stressed
• Type B : Low stress, even- tempered , flexible, creative, adaptable to change, patient, tendency to procrastinate
• Type C : Highly conscientious, perfectionist, struggles to reveal emotions (positive and negative)
• Type D : Worrying, sad, irritable, pessimistic, negative self-talk, avoidance of social situations, lack of self-confidence, fear of rejection, appears gloomy, hopeless

There are other popular theories of personality types such as the Myers-Briggs theory. The Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator identifies a personality based on where someone is on four continuums: introversion-extraversion, sensing-intuition, thinking-feeling, and judging-perceiving.

After taking a Myers-Briggs personality test, you are assigned one of 16 personality types. Examples of these personality types are:

• ISTJ : Introverted, sensing, thinking, and judging. People with this personality type are logical and organized; they also tend to be judgmental.
• INFP : Introverted, intuitive, feeling, and perceiving. They tend to be idealists and sensitive to their feelings.
• ESTJ : Extroverted, sensing, thinking, and judging. They tend to be assertive and concerned with following the rules.
• ENFJ : Extroverted, intuitive, feeling, and judging. They are known as "givers" for being warm and loyal; they may also be overprotective.

Personality Tests

In addition to the MBTI, some of the most well-known personality inventories are:

• Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
• HEXACO Personality Inventory
• Caddell's 16PF Personality Questionnaire
• Enneagram Typology

Personality Traits

Trait theories tend to view personality as the result of internal characteristics that are genetically based and include:

• Agreeable : Cares about others, feels empathy, enjoys helping others
• Conscientiousness : High levels of thoughtfulness, good impulse control, goal-directed behaviors
• Eager-to-please : Accommodating, passive, and  conforming
• Extraversion : Excitability, sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and high amounts of emotional expressiveness
• Introversion : Quiet, reserved
• Neuroticism : Experiences stress and dramatic shifts in mood, feels anxious, worries about different things, gets upset easily, struggles to bounce back after stressful events
• Openness : Very creative , open to trying new things, focuses on tackling new challenges

Psychodynamic Theories

Psychodynamic theories of personality are heavily influenced by the work of Sigmund Freud and emphasize the influence of the unconscious  mind on personality. Psychodynamic theories include Sigmund Freud’s psychosexual stage theory and Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development .

Behavioral Theories

Behavioral theories suggest that personality is a result of interaction between the individual and the environment. Behavioral theorists study observable and measurable behaviors, often ignoring the role of internal thoughts and feelings. Behavioral theorists include B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson .

Humanist theories emphasize the importance of free will and individual experience in developing ​a personality. Humanist theorists include Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow .

Research on personality can yield fascinating insights into how personality develops and changes over the course of a lifetime. This research can also have important practical applications in the real world.

For example, people can use a personality assessment (also called a personality test or personality quiz) to learn more about themselves and their unique strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Some assessments might look at how people rank on specific traits, such as whether they are high in extroversion , conscientiousness, or openness.

Other assessments might measure how specific aspects of personality change over time. Some assessments give people insight into how their personality affects many areas of their lives, including career, relationships, personal growth, and more.

Understanding your personality type can help you determine what career you might enjoy, how well you might perform in certain job roles, or how effective a form of psychotherapy could be for you.

Personality type can also have an impact on your health, including how often you visit the doctor and how you cope with stress. Researchers have found that certain personality characteristics may be linked to illness and health behaviors.

While personality determines what you think and how you behave, personality disorders are marked by thoughts and behavior that are disruptive and distressing in everyday life. Someone with a personality disorder may have trouble recognizing their condition because their symptoms are ingrained in their personality.

Personality disorders include paranoid personality disorder , schizoid personality disorder , antisocial personality disorder , borderline personality disorder (BPD), and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).

While the symptoms of personality disorders vary based on the condition, some common signs include:

• Aggressive behavior
• Delusional thinking
• Distrust of others
• Flat emotions (no emotional range)
• Lack of interest in relationships
• Violating others' boundaries

Some people with BPD experience suicidal thoughts or behavior as well.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  at  988  for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. 

For more mental health resources, see our  National Helpline Database .

If you are concerned that elements of your personality are contributing to stress, anxiety, confusion, or depression, it's important to talk to a doctor or mental health professional. They can help you understand any underlying conditions you may have.

It is often challenging to live with a personality disorder, but there are treatment options such as therapy and medication that can help.

Understanding the psychology of personality is much more than simply an academic exercise. The findings from personality research can have important applications in the world of medicine, health, business, economics, technology, among others. By building a better understanding of how personality works, we can look for new ways to improve both personal and public health.

The Myers & Briggs Foundation.  MBTI basics .

Bornstein RF. Personality assessment in the diagnostic manuals: On mindfulness, multiple methods, and test score discontinuities .  J Pers Assess . 2015;97(5):446-455. doi:10.1080/00223891.2015.1027346

Srivastava K, Das RC. Personality and health: Road to well-being .  Ind Psychiatry J . 2015;24(1):1–4. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.160905

Mayo Clinic. Personality disorders .

Carducci BJ. The Psychology of Personality: Viewpoints, Research, and Applications . Wiley Blackwell. 

John OP, Robins RW, Pervin LA. Handbook of Personality: Theory and Research . Guilford Press.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

How to Masterfully Describe Your Personality in an Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide 2023

Introduction

Step 1: self-reflection and introspection, step 2: identifying core values and beliefs, step 3: gathering evidence and examples.

• Step 4: Show, don't tell

Step 5: Structuring your essay effectively

Step 6: balancing self-awareness and humility, step 7: seeking feedback and editing.

Describing your personality in an essay is not simply an exercise in self-expression; it is a transformative process that allows you to artfully communicate and convey the intricate nuances of your character to the reader. By delving into the depths of your self-awareness, personal growth, and the values that serve as the compass guiding your actions and decisions, you embark on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. In this comprehensive step-by-step guide , we will navigate the intricacies of crafting a compelling personality description in your essay, providing you with the necessary tools to masterfully articulate your unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives.

At its core, the act of describing your personality in an essay is an opportunity to authentically showcase who you are. It is a platform to illuminate the multifaceted nature of your being, unveiling the layers that make you distinct and individual. Through self-reflection and introspection , you delve into the recesses of your soul, gaining a deeper understanding of your own personality traits and characteristics. This process of self-exploration allows you to unearth the strengths that define you and the weaknesses that provide opportunities for growth.

Identifying your core values and beliefs is another essential step in effectively describing your personality. By exploring your fundamental principles and ideals, you gain insight into the motivations behind your actions and the driving force behind your decisions . These values serve as the undercurrent that weaves together the fabric of your personality, giving coherence and purpose to your thoughts and behaviors. Understanding how your personality traits align with your core values enables you to articulate a more comprehensive and authentic depiction of yourself.

To breathe life into your personality description, it is crucial to gather evidence and examples that showcase your traits in action. Recall specific instances where your personality has manifested itself, and examine the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that were present. By drawing on these concrete examples, you provide tangible proof of your personality claims, allowing the reader to envision your character in vivid detail.

However, it is not enough to simply tell the reader about your personality traits; you must show them through vivid and descriptive language. By employing sensory details and evocative storytelling, you paint a vibrant picture that engages the reader’s imagination. It is through this artful depiction that your personality comes to life on the page, leaving a lasting impression.

Crafting an effective structure for your essay is also paramount to conveying your personality in a coherent and engaging manner. A well-structured essay captivates the reader from the outset with an engaging introduction that sets the tone and grabs their attention. Organizing your essay around key personality traits or themes creates a logical progression of ideas, enabling a seamless flow from one aspect of your personality to the next. This careful structuring enhances the readability and impact of your essay, allowing the reader to follow your journey of self-expression with ease.

In describing your personality, it is essential to strike a delicate balance between self-awareness and humility. While it is important to acknowledge your strengths and accomplishments, it is equally crucial to avoid sounding arrogant. Honesty about your weaknesse s and areas for growth demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn from experiences, fostering personal growth and development.

Also, seeking feedback and diligently editing your essay play a vital role in refining your personality description. Sharing your work with trusted individuals allows for constructive criticism, providing valuable insights into how effectively your personality is being portrayed. By carefully incorporating this feedback and paying attention to grammar, punctuation, and clarity, you can ensure that your essay is polished and ready to make a lasting impression . Below are the step by step guide on how to masterfully describe your personality in an essay

Before diving into writing, take the time to deeply understand your own personality traits and characteristics. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses , considering how they have influenced your actions and interactions with others. Additionally, contemplate significant life experiences that have shaped your personality, providing valuable insights into who you are today.

Your core values and beliefs are the guiding principles that define your character. Explore what truly matters to you and the ideals that drive your decisions . By connecting your personality traits to these fundamental values, you create a more comprehensive understanding of yourself, providing a solid foundation for your essay.

To effectively describe your personality, draw upon specific instances where your traits were on display. Recall experiences that highlight your behavior, thoughts, and emotions. By utilizing concrete examples, you lend credibility to your claims about your personality, allowing the reader to envision your character in action.

Step 4: Show, don’t tell

Avoid falling into the trap of generic and vague descriptions. Instead, use vivid language and sensory details to bring your personality to life. Engage the reader’s imagination by painting a clear picture through storytelling. Let them experience your traits firsthand, making your essay more engaging and memorable.

Crafting a well-structured essay is crucial for conveying your personality in a coherent and engaging manner. Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction that captivates the reader’s interest. Organize your essay around key personality traits or themes, ensuring a logical progression of ideas. Maintain a smooth flow between paragraphs, enhancing the overall readability of your essay.

While it’s essential to highlight your strengths, be careful not to come across as arrogant. Emphasize your accomplishments and positive attributes without boasting. Simultaneously, be honest about your weaknesses and areas for growth , demonstrating humility and a willingness to learn from experiences. This balance showcases maturity and self-awareness.

Sharing your essay with trusted individuals can provide valuable perspectives and constructive criticism. Seek feedback from mentors, teachers, or friends who can offer insights into your essay’s strengths and areas that need improvement. Revise and refine your essay based on this feedback, paying close attention to grammar, punctuation, and clarity.

Incorporating these steps and techniques will allow you to masterfully describe your personality in an essay, capturing the essence of who you are in a compelling and authentic manner. Whether you are writing personality essays, an essay about personalities, or an essay on personality, the introduction of your personality essay should create a strong impression. It serves as a gateway for the reader to delve into your unique characteristics and perspectives. By effectively integrating these steps and maintaining a balanced approach, you can create a personality essay introduction that sets the stage for a captivating exploration of your individuality. So, how would you describe yourself? Use these guidelines and examples to express your personality with confidence and authenticity in your essay.

Mastering the art of describing your personality in an essay allows you to authentically express yourself and connect with readers on a deeper level. By embracing self-reflection and emphasizing personal growth, you create a c ompelling narrative that showcases your unique qualities. So, embark on this journey of self-expression and let your personality shine through your writing. Embrace authenticity, as it is through effective self-expression that personal growth and understanding can flourish.

If you’re looking for professional essay writing and editing services, GradeSmiths is here to help. With a team of experienced writers and editors, GradeSmiths offers reliable and high-quality assistance to students in need of essay support. Whether you need help with essay writing, editing, proofreading, or refining your content, GradeSmiths can provide the expertise you require. Their dedicated team is committed to delivering well-crafted essays that meet academic standards and showcase your unique ideas and voice. With GradeSmiths, you can trust that your essay will receive the attention and care it deserves.

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What Is Generosity? (And How to Be a More Generous Person)

Simple ways to be more generous to others..

Posted February 4, 2019 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader

Generosity is the act of being kind, selfless, and giving to others. Despite being an act that is done to benefit others' well-being, generosity also paradoxically increases our well-being. So being generous is a fantastic way to improve your mental health and well-being. Not sure how to do it? Read on to discover how to be a more generous person.

Why generosity is good for you

Generosity is a good thing for our mental health and well-being because when we give to someone we care about, we make it more likely for them to give to us, making us more likely to give to them, and so on. As a result, regions of our brain associated with pleasure, social connection , and trust light up, making us feel all warm and gooey inside.

Why generosity is exponential

When it comes to improving our happiness and well-being (not sure how well you are? Take this well-being quiz ), generosity is a good choice because it has a ripple effect. If someone else sees us do something kind or generous, it actually makes them more likely to be generous too. Even saying a simple, “Thank you,” can inspire both of you, and those watching, to be more generous. This is how generosity creates a ripple effect, helping us feel happier and less lonely .

So what stops us? Why aren’t we all just generous all the time?

What are the precursors to becoming a more generous person?

It turns out that building positive thinking skills is an important precursor to getting the most we can out of generosity. Why? Because positive emotions—like gratitude , joy, or awe —make us more likely to give. The happier we feel when we give, the more likely we are to give to others again in the future. And the more grateful we are, in general, the more we enjoy the experience of witnessing other people benefiting from our gifts. So if we're having a hard time being more generous, we can benefit from developing our positive thinking skills.

What stops us from being generous people?

Lucky for us, it’s our default to be generous. But, we can accidentally override our natural inclinations to give it by over-relying on the “thinking” parts of our brains. Instead of following our natural impulse to be kind , we may come up with reasons for why shouldn’t give—maybe we want to buy something for ourselves or we are afraid of not having enough. But if our goal is happiness (either for ourselves of others), that’s a big mistake. We feel happier giving to others than spending money on ourselves. So try to overcome fear of not having enough, which can stop you from being a more generous person.

How do we become a more generous person?

Once we are open to trying to become more generous (either to increase our own happiness or the happiness of others) how might we do it? We could give gifts on holidays, to acknowledge accomplishments, or just because we felt like it (that’s my favorite time to give a gift). We can also practice random acts of kindness—for example, by leaving a kind note for a co-worker, emailing a family member to tell them you're grateful for something they did, or buying lunch for a friend.

How to make generosity more impactful

To make giving even more rewarding, focus on giving in ways that make a positive impact in someone else’s life (not just your life). The more we believe that what we give will be valuable or useful to others, the better it feels. And the more we know about how the receiver will use the gift, the more we enjoy giving. We really do want to know not only that we are making a difference, but how we are making a difference. So give thoughtfully and intentionally. It just feels better—both to us and to the gift recipient.

Learn more about how to build your well-being here .

Aknin, Lara B, Elizabeth W Dunn, and Michael I Norton. 2012. "Happiness runs in a circular motion: Evidence for a positive feedback loop between prosocial spending and happiness." Journal of Happiness Studies 13 (2):347-355.

Nelson, S Katherine, Matthew D Della Porta, Katherine Jacobs Bao, HyunJung Crystal Lee, Incheol Choi, and Sonja Lyubomirsky. 2015. "‘It’s up to you’: Experimentally manipulated autonomy support for prosocial behavior improves well-being in two cultures over six weeks." The Journal of Positive Psychology 10 (5):463-476.

Nook, Erik C, Desmond C Ong, Sylvia A Morelli, Jason P Mitchell, and Jamil Zaki. 2016. "Prosocial conformity: Prosocial norms generalize across behavior and empathy." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 42 (8):1045-1062.

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. , is a consultant, writer, and expert on well-being technology.

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Key Tips and Examples to Start Personality Essays

Table of Contents

Personality is what sets people apart from others. It’s what makes them unique. Some personality traits are easy to see, and some are more hidden and harder to read.

A personality essay aims to help readers to understand a person better by getting to know their personality. And as with other types of essays, the introduction is a vital element. You can get more readers interested in your work with a good introduction.

We’ve gathered some excellent  personality essay introduction examples  to help you get started.

What Is a Personality Essay?

Before starting a personality essay, it’s essential to understand what personality is first.

Generally, personality is defined by various thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make someone unique. It is believed that personality comes from within individuals; it rarely changes and is consistent throughout life.

We can find examples of personality in how we describe other people’s traits. For example, “She is generous, caring, and somewhat perfectionist.” Or “They are loyal and protective toward their friends.”

A personality essay can tackle the subject of personality in general or introduce the author’s personality. It can also discuss how different people can express themselves and predict how they might act within a particular situation.

Tips on Writing a Personality Essay Introduction

Writing an essay about your personality can be challenging since it’s like showing your inner self to other people.

You will need to brainstorm and explain what personality traits you have and why you have them. And if you’re writing an essay about personalities in general, you will also need to do thorough research. Here are some tips that will help you along:

Organize Your Ideas

Try to write down your ideas on paper to organize them better. This will keep you from feeling overwhelmed. It’s also helpful to make a draft about what you want to talk about in your essay. Don’t be pressured when making your draft. You can revise it later on if you want to. 

An introduction needs an exciting hook, sufficient background information, and a strong thesis statement .

• Hook : You can start your introduction with an intriguing question or an interesting anecdote to draw readers in.
• Background Information : Research and use supporting details that can bridge your hook and your thesis statement.
• Thesis Statemen t: The thesis statement is where you state your essay’s central point. It should present a strong argument.

Keep It Genuine

Personality essays need to show your raw self. Write about your personality, whether it be positive or negative. Highlight your positive qualities and discuss what you do to improve the negative ones.

Questions to Answer When Writing About Your Personality

It’s helpful to ask yourself questions, so you can reflect on your personality or the consequences of your personality. Answering these kinds of questions will aid you in establishing your thesis. Here are some sample questions that can help you write your personality essay.

1. What personality trait are you most proud of?

Highlight those qualities that make you an asset to anyone you work with. Make sure you play up your great qualities and downplay any bad ones.

2. Why do you have these traits? Do you plan to keep them? 

Try to explain how you got your traits. Do you think you acquired these traits during your childhood? Or was it a result of a life experience or trauma? Phrase your answers in a way that readers can relate to them.

3. How will these traits help you daily and at work?

Explain why you are proud of specific qualities and how they impact your relationships. Put greater emphasis on behaviors that facilitate a better relationship with others. After all, teamwork is all about individuals with different personalities working well together.

Personality Essay Introduction Examples

Example 1: introduction to personality.

Everything about a person is what makes them unique. Every person is different; therefore, everyone has their personality. This is what defines them as individuals in every aspect and stage of development in their lives. Personalities are what makeup who we are. It differentiates us from others around us.

Example 2: My Personality

Everyone has unique traits that make them who they are. And many psychologists have generated theories about why we have these personalities. It’s normal to feel that you are different from the people around you. This is because none of us are the same. Everyone is different. And there isn’t anything wrong with that. I am an introvert who enjoys reading, exercising, and taking time. But I am also a talkative person when I’m with my closest friends. This shows how a myriad of personalities can characterize one person.

Example 3: Personality As a Unique Potential

Milton once famously said, “every person is unique in his own way.” Everyone in this world has potential and reason for living. The big question is whether or not we are aware of this unique potential that we possess. I, for one, am aware of my unique potential. I’m the kind of person who can make everybody feel comfortable. My friends characterize me as someone friendly and fun to be around. I am also a perfectionist who is looking for the best in everything.

Example 4: the Importance of Understanding Personalities

The concept of personality is one of the central topics in psychology and psychoanalysis. Several scientific theories characterize the process of personality development. Understanding this process is a crucial factor in the children’s upbringing and education of people.

There are many ways to start a personality essay . You can write one that’s about yourself. Or you can choose to look at the subject of personality from a broader perspective.

This may depend on the topic assigned to you. Starting a personality essay is hard, but it helps to look at some personality essay introduction examples. Hopefully, you got the inspiration you need from this article. Go and write that essay!

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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